HBC’s Chimac Life does Korean fried chicken right
The cultural phenomenon of “chimaek” — the delightful pairing of Korean-style fried chicken with refreshing beer (maekju) — is celebrated in its full glory at Chimac Life in Seoul’s Haebangchon neighborhood where crispy, crunchy fried chicken isn’t just for dinner, it’s a lifestyle. Chimac Life specializes in flavor-filled, hand-battered chicken. They have been a local favorite for fried chicken lovers since 2014 because they have mastered this beloved Korean tradition — the fusion of savory, perfectly seasoned chicken along with the cool, crisp taste of beer.
Chimac Life’s signature Original Fried Chicken stands out for its unique combination of flavor, texture and preparation. The chicken is hand-battered, ensuring a more personalized and artisanal touch than your run-of-the-mill Korean fried chicken joints which use machine processing. This method results in a coating that is perfectly crisp and holds onto the flavors well. The spiciness is calibrated to be mild — but be advised, it offers a pleasant heat that enhances the chicken’s natural taste without overpowering it. The use of select spices and a secret blend of ingredients in the batter gives the chicken at Chimac Life a distinctive taste. The combination of hand-crafted quality, balanced spiciness and unique flavoring makes their Original Fried Chicken their most popular menu item.
The yangnyeom hand-battered chicken at Chimac Life is nothing short of a masterpiece. Yangnyeom chicken is known for its rich, spicy and sweet flavor, which Chimac Life generously applies to their signature fried chicken. This creates a multi-layered taste experience, with the glaze’s intensity complementing the crispy texture of the batter. If you find yourself unable to decide between the original and the yangnyeom, you will be pleased to learn they offer a Half & Half set — a must-try for anyone seeking induction into the Chimaek Life.
For those with a penchant for adventure, they offer an assortment of other tasty glazes and flavors.
Not to be overlooked are their sides. Their tteokbokki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes) is a real delight. They serve soft, chewy rice cakes in a homemade spicy sauce stirfry, which provides a pleasant contrast to the crispy chicken.
Chimac Life is open every day of the week from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., except Tuesdays. If you’re in the greater Yongsan area, you can skip the queue, pay online and place pickup or delivery orders using the Shuttle app or shuttledelivery.co.kr.