Jinwonjo Dakhanmari

About

A spacious basement chicken hot pot spot near Dongdaemun Design Plaza known for its patented herbal broth and chewy rice cakes.

Tucked down a steep flight of stairs in a basement near Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, Jinwonjo Dakhanmari strips dining down to an unhurried, single-dish ritual. The surrounding neighborhood pulses with an international energy, but inside, the subterranean dining room is spacious, orderly, and well-suited for both quiet pairs and large office gatherings seeking sanctuary over steaming broth. The restaurant serves only *dakhanmari*—a whole young chicken simmered at the table inside a wide, washbasin-style metal pot. Accompanied from the start by sliced potatoes, scallions, and chewy rice cakes, the bird cooks in a clear, patented broth steeped with medicinal herbs. As heat rolls across the table, the first move is to fish out the buoyant rice cakes, which soften into tender, broth-soaked bites. Seasoned patrons immediately tip their side dish of minced garlic straight into the roiling pot, deepening the stock into a restorative brew that begs for a cold beer or a pour of soju. When the liquid evaporates from continuous boiling, the staff replenishes the broth on request. A crucial dimension of the meal happens on the condiment dish. Diners compound their own dipping sauce from crimson chili paste (*dadaegi*), raw garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and pungent yellow mustard—or simply seek guidance from the owner to master the proportions. The resulting sharp, savory paste slices cleanly through the tender poultry. Cool, crisp water kimchi cleanses the palate between bites, offering a tart crunch against the rich chicken. Once the meat is stripped, the remaining garlicky stock welcomes 칼국수 (*kalguksu*, flat wheat noodles) or a bowl of rice boiled down into porridge, capturing the concentrated flavors built over the course of the meal.