Seoul Food Guide: Tteokbokki Meets Chicken in Hongdae

🍲 Tteokbokki Meets Chicken – A Hidden Retro Pub in Hongdae

Everyone knows how popular Korean tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) is, right? But what if you combine it with chicken in one dish? That’s exactly what I found in Hongdae!

In Korea, there’s a famous dish called dakdoritang (spicy chicken stew) that usually comes with chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. But this spot puts a twist on it by adding loads of chewy rice cakes, and it’s become a hot menu item loved by young locals.

📍 Location & Info

Finding this place wasn’t easy—I had to wander around and peek into alleys before spotting a tiny sign and a narrow passage. At first, I thought, “Really? Down here?” But yes, that was the entrance!

• Address: 1F, 143-3 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Near Exit 8 of Hongdae Station)
• Restaurant Name : 떡볶이 상회 (Tteokbokki Sanghoe)
• Phone: 0507-1344-7658
• Hours: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Break time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM)

The small alley had rows of chairs lined up, which instantly told me this was a spot where people wait in line. Right in the middle of busy Hongdae, it felt like stepping into a hidden world. The place looked like an old supermarket turned into a retro-style eatery—quirky, photogenic, and very “Hongdae.”

It looks like an old, retro supermarket. 

🍗 Menu & What We Ordered

Honestly, I thought it was going to be a snack bar (bunsikjip), but it turned out to be more of a pub. Most dishes seemed perfect for groups of three or more, but my friend and I went ahead and ordered their signature dish: “Bangul Dakdoritang with Tteokbokki.”

You can choose your spice level, and we went with mild. While waiting, they served a retro-style puffed corn snack (the kind you often get at Korean pubs). The restaurant was already packed with young groups of 2–4, even though it wasn’t peak dinner time yet.

Soon our food arrived, already cooked, so there was no need to use the gas burner at the table. The big pot was filled with chicken, chunky rice cakes, and small round rice cakes. One look and I totally got why young people love this place—all the comfort foods in one pot!

• The rice cakes were thick and extra chewy—so satisfying.
• The sauce was salty, rich, and super flavorful. It felt a bit salty on its own, but when eaten with chicken, the balance was just right.
• The chicken was tender, and when paired with the tteok, it was surprisingly filling.
• The mini rice cakes were a fun bonus—chewy little bites that made the dish even more addictive.

We got full really quickly, since every bite was packed with both chicken and rice cakes.

🎶 Atmosphere

The place calls itself a “tteokbokki pub,” and that’s exactly the vibe: neon lights, upbeat music, loud chatter, and tables packed close together. It’s definitely not a quiet meal spot—it’s lively, buzzing, and perfect for groups of friends out for drinks.

The retro décor was fun too. From the tables to the old-school props, it felt like a throwback to Korea’s old snack bars, but with a modern, Instagrammable twist.

👍 Overall & Recommendation

• Best for groups of 3 or more (so you can try multiple dishes).

• Not really a dinner spot—it’s more of a drinking place with hearty food.

• Dishes are generous and meant to be shared. We regretted not being able to try the overflowing steamed egg or the corn pancakes, which looked amazing.

By 6 PM, people were already lining up outside, which says a lot about how popular this place is with young locals. We couldn’t finish everything, so we had it packed to go—still delicious at home!

If you’re in Hongdae and looking for a fun, lively spot to experience Korean food with a twist, this hidden retro pub is worth checking out.