Knowing that eating at Yoogane in Korea is a lot cheaper compared to eating Yoogane in Singapore, it was one of the places I wanted to dine at when I was in Seoul. But my friend, Elizabeth shared that there is another place, in her opinion, that serves even better Dakgalbi and that’s how I got to know Sinmigyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi (신미경 홍대 닭갈비).

Dakgalbi is a Korean dish of stir fried marinated spicy chicken, cabbage, rice cakes and spring onions with two different types of cheeses on a pan. Sounds yummy doesn’t it? You have to at least order a 2 person portion, it’s actually quite a lot. A 2 person portion was enough for three of us girls.

I don’t know the exact name of this Cold Soup that goes with Dakgalbi at Sinmigyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi. It tastes a little sour but it is refreshing and helps clear your palate off the greasiness from eating Dakgalbi.

In Korean dining culture, their waiters will help cook the food in front of you. When you’re about two-third done, you can choose between rice or noodles to be added to your Dakgalbi to end off the meal.

Sinmigyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi is located at the Hongdae area and quite popular among foreigners. Other than their ahjumma waitresses, some of their other waiters are foreigners themselves and can speak fluent English, communication and ordering there is not a problem.

But I find that Sinmigyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi is not so spacious, it was a little cram with three of us eating around a small table. I can even hear the conversations going on at the next table.

Sinmigyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi is similar and comparable to Yoogane, even their price point. Though Yoogane has more outlets across Seoul and their restaurants are more spacious, i feel that Sinmigyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi is slightly better in terms of food.

Address: Hongik-ro 3-gil, 32 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (2 Floor)
Directions: 8 minutes walk from Hongik University Subway Station Exit 9.
Rating: 3.5/5
Cost: $$$$$