Sadang Restaurants: Youngpoong Chicken, a Classic Korean Fried Chicken Spot Near Isu Station

A classic Korean fried chicken restaurant near Isu Station. Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch offers nostalgic flavors, fast service, and old-school charm.

Contents

Youngpoong Chicken – Sadang Main Branch: Basic Information

Exterior view of the Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch building, captured via Naver Map Street View

Restaurant Name	영풍치킨 사당본점 (Youngpoong Chicken – Sadang Main Branch)
Type of Cuisine	Korean Chicken
Restaurant Address	1st Floor, 6 Dongjak-daero 27ga-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant Business Hours	• Thursday–Tuesday: 1:00 PM – 11:30 PM • Wednesday: 2:00 PM – 11:30 PM • Last Order: 11:10 PM
Parking	• No on-site parking available • Recommended parking: Namsaje Market Public Parking Lot (Open year-round, 24 hours; KRW 300 per 5 minutes; approximately a 1-minute walk from Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch)
Seating Capacity	Dine-in seating: 50+ seats
Amenities	• Corkage fee applies • Takeout available • Delivery available • Group dining available for parties of 6–30 • Free Wi-Fi provided • Complimentary drinking water available • Separate restrooms for men and women • Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Riding the resurgence of Sadang Station—one of the largest transportation hubs in Seoul’s southern Gangnam area—Isu Station has evolved and grown alongside it. Located on the border between Sadang-dong and Bangbae-dong, Isu Station developed as a commercial district by drawing demand from the surrounding bedroom communities, particularly large-scale apartment complexes. The 1990s, when Taepyeong Department Store was in operation, are widely regarded as Isu Station’s golden age—a true renaissance period for the area.

Archival photo of the former Youngpoong Chicken location, operated from the 1990s until 2009 along the main road next to the former Taepyeong Department Store

Among the long-standing establishments in the Isu Station commercial district, few can rival the history of Youngpoong Chicken. The restaurant is widely believed to have opened in the mid-1980s. In its early days, it operated as a classic Korean chicken-and-beer pub, located on the ground floor along the main road near Exit 13 of Isu Station, toward the former Taepyeong Department Store. Its bright orange façade and yellow signage were impossible to miss. What truly set it apart, however, was the fact that it operated 24 hours a day—a rarity even by Seoul standards at the time. Stepping out of the station, the unmistakable aroma of frying chicken would immediately hit your senses, making it nearly impossible to simply walk past.

Thanks to its overwhelming popularity, the business relocated around 2010 to its current site, constructing a dedicated building. At opening, it operated on a large scale across two floors. Around the pre- and post-pandemic period, the second floor was leased out, and today the restaurant operates exclusively on the first floor in a more streamlined format.

The enduring appeal of Youngpoong Chicken lies in its uncompromising approach to ingredients and preparation. Nearly all key ingredients—including radishes, fresh whole chickens, and cabbage—are purchased daily at dawn from the nearby Namseong Saje Market, contributing directly to the local economy. The chicken is marinated using a house-made blend of natural ingredients such as medicinal herbs, garlic, and ginger, all freshly ground and aged in-house. Combined with strict oil management—including a firm policy of not double-frying—the result is a consistently clean, well-balanced flavor that clearly distinguishes it from mass-market chains.

At its peak, the brand’s influence extended as far as Hongdae, underscoring just how formidable its reputation once was. Today, the footprint has narrowed to three remaining locations: Youngpoong Chicken Namseong Isu, Moran, and Shinheung.

At the Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch, terrace seating adds another layer of appeal, allowing guests to enjoy a relaxed, open-air yajang (outdoor dining) atmosphere—an increasingly rare pleasure in modern Seoul.

Youngpoong Chicken – Sadang Main Branch: Menu & Prices

Menu	Prices include tax and service charge (KRW)
Classic Fried Chicken	• Large (6 pcs): KRW 24,000 • Small (4 pcs): KRW 20,000
Seasoned Chicken	• Large (Spicy): KRW 24,000 • Small (Spicy): KRW 20,000
Half & Half Chicken	• Large (Half Seasoned, Half Fried): KRW 24,000

At first glance, it may seem unusual to see fried chicken sold in large, medium, and small sizes, much like sweet-and-sour pork. After all, a whole chicken yields a fixed set of parts—two drumsticks, two wings, and so on. The explanation lies in Youngpoong Chicken’s roots as a classic old-school whole-fried chicken, a style that dates back to an era when appetites were far more robust—particularly through the 1990s.

Traditionally, a single chicken was cut into four substantial portions, with especially large, axe-shaped drumsticks that became something of a signature. This portioning made size-based pricing both practical and intuitive. Today, however, diners tend to eat more lightly and avoid overindulgence. As a result, the medium size has quietly disappeared from the menu, leaving only large and small options.

Beyond chicken, the menu includes items such as pork cutlets, sausage-and-vegetable stir-fry (so-ya), spicy whelk salad, fresh fruit platters, and assorted dried snacks. That said, when value is taken into consideration, it’s hard not to conclude that the smarter move is simply to order another chicken rather than diverting budget to side dishes.

Youngpoong Chicken – Sadang Main Branch: Real Customer Reviews

Anyone who has spent years moving between Sadang, Bangbae, and Isu carries a certain memory of the Isu Station chicken alley. The scent of hot oil that slowed your steps before the last train home, the lights that never seemed to go out even after midnight, and that all-too-convincing phrase—“Let’s just have one more drink here.” At the very center of those memories stands Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch, its presence as solid and familiar as its name suggests.

While flashy new brands have come and gone and fried chicken trends have risen and fallen, Youngpoong Chicken has quietly held its ground, earning its reputation as a pillar of Sadang-dong’s chicken scene. The question today is whether it still offers more than nostalgia alone. With that in mind, I returned for a firsthand visit—this time tasting with fresh eyes and a more discerning palate—to see how well the flavors stand on their own, beyond the comfort of memory.

Table setting after ordering half-and-half chicken (half fried, half seasoned) and draft beer during a recent visit to the Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch

Close-up of the half-and-half chicken platter (half fried chicken, half seasoned chicken) at the Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch

At the Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch, the half-and-half chicken arrives plated on a simple plastic dish lined with perilla leaves—an unmistakably old-school presentation that immediately signals nostalgia. The chicken is par-fried in advance, then finished to order with a second fry, ensuring it arrives hot and crisp while keeping wait times short. Service is fast, efficient, and refreshingly no-nonsense, a style that many long-time Seoul diners still appreciate.

Starting with the fried chicken, the batter is light rather than thick, with a fine, delicate texture that crackles audibly at the first bite. It’s clean and restrained—never oily, never heavy. Seasoning is intentionally subtle, allowing the natural flavor of the chicken to take center stage. True to its heritage, Youngpoong Chicken follows a classic whole-chicken approach, cut into four generous pieces, with distinctive axe-shaped drumsticks reminiscent of vintage brands like the old Donkey Chicken—an instant throwback for those who remember Korea’s earlier fried chicken era.

On the other side of the plate, the seasoned chicken leans firmly into tradition. Finished with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds, the sauce recalls the gochujang-based '양념치킨(Seasoned Chicken)' of the 1980s and 1990s rather than the sweeter, glossier versions popular today. The flavor opens with gentle sweetness, followed by savory soy depth and a mild, lingering chili warmth. It’s balanced rather than aggressive—never tongue-numbing, but pleasantly addictive. The sauce penetrates beyond the surface, coating the chicken evenly and naturally encouraging you to alternate bites between seasoned and fried.

This is not a place chasing modern trends or reinventing fried chicken. Instead, Youngpoong Chicken offers something increasingly rare in Seoul: a time-capsule experience. The atmosphere is lively and unapologetically energetic, with groups chatting loudly over beer and shared plates, creating a relaxed, judgment-free setting. It’s the kind of place where conversations flow easily, glasses are refilled quickly, and no one worries about lingering too long.

Rather than a polished date-night destination, Youngpoong Chicken is best enjoyed as a group-friendly gathering spot—ideal for casual meetups, after-work drinks, or a late-night stop before catching the last train home. For travelers and locals alike, it stands as a living reminder of Korea’s old-school fried chicken culture, offering a taste of the past that still feels warmly relevant today.

Recommended Menu Picks

For first-time visitors, these menu items are highly recommended:

1. Half & Half Chicken (Fried + Seasoned) – The best way to experience Youngpoong Chicken’s identity. Light, crisp fried chicken paired with nostalgic, sesame-forward seasoned chicken delivers a clear contrast and a taste of Korea’s classic fried chicken era.

2. Classic Fried Chicken (Small or Large) – Ideal for purists who appreciate clean oil management, restrained seasoning, and old-school whole-chicken cuts with large, axe-shaped drumsticks.

3. Draft Beer (500cc) – A natural pairing. The straightforward, no-frills beer selection complements the chicken without overpowering it—exactly as intended in traditional Korean chicken halls.

Final Verdict

Youngpoong Chicken Sadang Main Branch is not chasing trends—and that is precisely its strength. This is a place that preserves the atmosphere, flavors, and rhythm of Seoul’s classic late-night chicken culture. While modern chicken brands compete with bold sauces and novelty concepts, Youngpoong remains grounded in simplicity, speed, and familiarity.

It may not redefine fried chicken for a new generation, but it offers something increasingly rare: authentic continuity. For those curious about Korea’s old-school fried chicken scene—or travelers seeking places with real local memory attached—Youngpoong Chicken remains a meaningful stop near Isu and Sadang Stations.

💡 Pro Tip: Visit in the evening with a small group and opt for terrace seating when available. The lively atmosphere, fast service, and open-air setup make it an excellent spot for casual gatherings, after-work drinks, or a final stop before the last train.

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