The Chimaek Edition

Korea honestly doesn't have the world's best beer. That's exactly why we pair it with the world's best chicken (yeah, we said it). The combo is so beloved here that a term has been invented to describe it, combining the words ''chicken'' and "maekjoo'' (beer). Here is our list of the best places in Seoul to enjoy the irresistible union known as "chimaek.'' ― ED.

Why the mood is fowl on soggy nights

By Kim Tong-hyung, Kim Young-jin, Kwon Mee-yoo, Jung Min-ho

It's no secret that Koreans and chickens are quite fond of one another.

According to government figures, an average Korean will eat 12 chickens per year. That's 600 million dead birds on a national scale.

Chicken restaurants, including both fast-food outlets and places that sell alcoholic beverages, represent an annual 5 trillion won (about $4.4 billion) market, and there were close to 280 different chicken franchises operating in the country last year.

The number of these restaurants jumped in recent years as the decaying job market forced millions of people to set up their own business out of necessity. And fried chicken pubs have been rivaled only by coffee shops as the go-to-option for the self-employed.

Until the early 1970s, chicken roasted in electric grills was the most popular platter served at chicken places, but it has been all about deep-fried chicken since then. Restaurateurs here have put their own twist on the American culinary tradition with their delightfully crunchy, spicy and less-greasy chicken, often seasoned with hot-pepper or garlic-soy sauces and served with pickled radishes.

Fried chicken now seems to be the definitive bar food of Korea and is especially popular in the summer when they are drowned with glasses of ice-cold beer. Without further ado, here are some of Seoul's bars that pair beer with great chicken.

1. Saerona Hof

On the neon-lit street from the Galleria Department Store to the Cheongdam Intersection, the decidedly un-hip Saerona Hof, nestled in the middle of it, doesn't seem to belong there. But if you enter the place and taste their chicken, you will quickly realize who really owns the street.

The chicken restaurant has survived the fierce dine-out industry competition since 1977 in Seoul's most upscale area with its unique and delicious selection.

Its "curry chicken'' (17,000 won) is the dish about 90 percent of visitors order, according to its owner. What looks like curry powder actually has much more ingredients, including green tea powder, garlic, ginger and of course, the owner's "secret ingredients.'' The taste? Something you probably never have had before.

What makes the taste great is not just the uniqueness; the meat texture is soft and slightly wet. Even the breast meat is soft like cake.

The owner said everything on the menu, including side dishes ― pickled white radish and seasoned chili ― is made from scratch.

Unlike first-rate quality of the chicken, its flat draft beer might disappoint some customers. Despite the popularity, the restaurant is still very small with only about 20 seats.

For more information, call 02-544-2802.

- By Jung Min-ho

2. Chicken in the Kitchen

Tucked into an alley in the bustling university district of Hongdae, western Seoul, Chicken in the Kitchen is a subterranean experience, both literally and with its bohemian decor.

But with foodies quickly discovering its unique recipes, don't expect the restaurant to remain underground for long.

While the store front is at ground level, one walks down into the dimly lit space that features throwback rock n' roll images and other eclectic decorations on the walls.

But it is the chicken that has customers forming long lines, even on weekdays.

The owner of Chicken in the Kitchen explains that everything on the menu is made from scratch and with fresh ingredients. This applies to the batter, sauces and even the pickled radishes served as a side dish ― which come garnished with lemon slices.

The chicken (16,000 won) comes both fried and with sauce, served on platters with a couple of huge onion rings, potato wedges and, delightfully, several sticks of chewy rice cake drizzled with a sweet, sticky sauce. The whole shebang is garnished with crushed peanuts and fresh herbs.

The attention to detail is noteworthy. A hint of rosemary is evident in each bite, and the dipping sauces are made with juices from the chicken as well as herbs.

Due to a sudden spike in popularity, the restaurant has been forced to limit its output, capping the daily servings at 50 chickens. There is usually a long waiting list so customers are recommended to come early to sign up.

The long lines may be allayed when the restaurant opens a second shop nearby later this summer.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/chickeninthekitchen.

- By Kim Young-jin

3. Banpo Chicken

Banpo Chicken, established in 1977, is one of the legendary chicken places of southern Seoul. Chickens are roasted in a rotisserie near the window of the restaurant, which serves as a magnet for pedestrians.

Its signature dish is the "garlic chicken'' (15,000 won). The crispy roasted chicken is topped with chopped-garlic seasoning that is unapologetically strong, spicy and smelly, but nonetheless makes the chicken taste marvelous. The proportions fall short of generous though.

Another downside is that the restaurant doesn't have draft beer and serves only bottles of Cass. Our verdict is that the chicken itself makes it worth a visit anyway.

The restaurant is located near the Gubanpo subway station and opens from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

For more information, call 02-599-2825.

- By Kwon Mee-yoo

4. Dadong Golbaengi Chicken

Located in a street behind the Hana Bank building near Seoul City Hall, Dadong Golbaengi Chicken has long been a popular destination of office workers in need of drink and food after work.

The fried chicken (15,000 won) here is crunchy and simple. This makes it a great pair with the restaurant's spicy platter of "golbaengi'' (18,000 won), or sea snails, served in super-hot pepper sauce, chopped scallions, cucumbers and wheat noodles. Order some eggrolls, dip a piece into the golbaengi sauce and eat, and you will find your lips singing.

For more information, call 02-778-2935.

- By Kim Tong-hyung

5. Cheers

Hidden away in the tranquil neighborhood of Buam-dong in Seoul, the fried chicken at Cheers is known for its crispy texture. This is ostensibly because of the generous use of batter, but owners here are tight-lipped about their recipe. At any rate, the chicken (15,000 won) is served golden-brown and with large potato wedges that are deep fried alongside the chicken. Each bite is at first crunchy, but explodes with flavor.

Cheers is perfect for a bite and a cold one after exploring the quaint streets of Buam-dong, which is nestled between the mountains of Inwangsan and Bugaksan and used to be the go-to area for poets and artists. The atmosphere is family-friendly and laid back, and even in weekend afternoons the place is usually packed with customers enjoying chicken in a fun environment.

For more information, call 02-391-3566.

- By Kim Young-jin

6. Reggae Chicken

Reggae Chicken in the Hongdae area is known for its unique curry-flavored chicken. As the name indicates, the restaurant's interior aims at a casual Caribbean mood and its speakers are bursting with reggae music.

Its signature dish is predictably called Reggae Chicken (16,000 won), topped with four pieces of fried potatoes, onion rings and basil scattered on top. The thick and crispy breading on the chicken is delightful, although the meat itself was quite bony.

The curry flavor in Reggae Chicken is delicate and not as strong as the chicken at Saerona Hof, but that doesn't make it any less irresistible. The free popcorn is also a plus.

The chicken is served with a bowl of unique sauce composed of garlic, red wine and other spices. Other popular dishes include Kingstone Wings and Jamaica Salad.

Reggae Chicken offers bottled beer and Krombacher Pils (7,000 won for a 500-mililiter glass) and Weizen (8,000 won for a 500-mililiter glass) are the choices in draft beer.

Reggae Chicken Seoul is located near Hongik University subway station and can be reached at 02-333-3438. Its branch Reggae Chicken Sunshine is near Sangsu subway station and can be reached at 02-338-3438.

- By Kwon Mee-yoo

7. Matna Chicken Hof

The Matna Chicken Hof, in the street across from the Korean Air building near Seoul City Hall, provides a broader range of dishes than most chicken places. But most of the visitors order their super-hot barbeque chicken (17,000 won) anyway.

Charcoal-grilled, the chicken has a near-perfect texture with its crispy skin and soft meat. The hot and sweet seasoning will certainly bring pain to first-timers, although the restaurant also serves a slightly less spicy version of the barbequed meat.

The restaurant also serves fried chicken (16,000 won) and seemed to be trying hard to promote its garlic chicken (17,000 won), which we found less than special.

For more information, call 02-755-1508.

- By Kim Tong-hyung