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Jeonju Restaurants

5.5 Dakgalbi

  • Seosindong
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Doing Chicken, Korean-Style

Dakgalbi being cooked on the tabletopMore Photos
If you leave Korea without trying the amazing food experience that is Dakgalbi, I truly feel sorry for you. Sure, you've encountered Kalbi (BBQ'd beef ribs), and maybe even Samgyeopsal (back bacon), but please do not neglect the taste sensation that is Dakgalbi. Quite simply, Korea does not offer much in the way of chicken dishes, but as Dakgalbi shows, when they do chicken, they do it well.

Quite possibly the best Dakgalbi restaurant in Jeonju, 5.5 Dakgalbi serves up heaps of the famous dish, cooked right in front of you on a large, round griddle set right into the tabletop. 5.5 uses the highest quality ingredients to create a delicious taste sensation.

Fresh, chopped cabbage is stir-fried with carrot, leek, sweet potato, and chopped chicken breast and wing meat, then smothered in a spicy-sweet red chili paste called Gochujang. For the more adventurous, there are several optional add-ins, including sliced wild mushrooms, cheese and sweet potato dumplings, fresh grated Imsil cheese, chopped curry leaves, and other interesting options. The huge meal (enough to easily feed a family of four) is accompanied by bowls of seaweed-miso soup, and a few banchan (side dishes) of radish Kimchi and mixed greens Kimchi. For those unfamiliar with Kimchi, its basically chopped veggie marinated in a spicy chili sauce. Lettuce wraps are readily available to wrap you food if you so choose, and cold green
tea is served free of charge.

Make no mistake - 5.5 Dakgalbi serves ONLY its signature dish. Those looking for anything else won't find it here. Dakgalbi is the only item on the menu, other than beverages, rice, and extra side dishes and accompaniments.

This place is very popular with families, and on weekends you may be waiting for one of their 10 or so tables to open up. The restaurant offers both Korean style sit-on-the-floor tables, as well as traditional western style tables. The atmosphere is casual and laid back, and there's a lot of laughter around the surrounding tables, as families grill up their dinners over drinks and discussion. I visited here two days in a row because the food was just that good - it's hot, it's tasty, and it's fun to create. This is a great place to bring friends, especially as an icebreaker.

Worried about the price? Don't be - dinner here won't set you back more than $15 per person, and as low as $8 per person if you order the simplest version of the dish. Beer, wine, and soju are available here for a reasonable price, or you may bring your own. It's an incredible value no matter where you're from - a dinner like this would set you back at least $25 in the USA or Canada. But, beware, this restaurant will politely decline your entrance if you are a solo eater (which is common in Korea). Minimum two diners per table.

5.5 Dakgalbi is located on a busy street in the center of Seosindong neighbourhood - any taxi driver will know this place, so be sure to ask for it by name!
From journal My summer in "The Ju"