Bani Chicken Namtaeryeong Branch

About

Long-running neighborhood hof in Namtaeryeong's Jeonwon Village serving classic thin-crust fried chicken with nostalgic retro vibes.

Tucked into the quiet, residential streets of Bangbae-dong’s Jeonwon Village near Namtaeryeong Station, Barney Chicken feels preserved from another era. Operating since 1991, this unpretentious neighborhood hof carries the earned patina of time, completely devoid of manufactured retro aesthetics. Inside, ink-wash paintings hang beside sprawling installations crafted from bent green soju caps, while partitioned wooden booths offer cozy enclaves for local families, nearby office workers, and military personnel seeking a comfortable pour after hours. The kitchen deals strictly in old-school Korean chicken fundamentals. The fried chicken skips modern, heavily battered styles in favor of a thinner, deeply crisp crust that yields tender meat without feeling weighed down by oil. Half-and-half orders are the standard move, paired with an authentic yangnyeom chicken that trades watery syrup for a thick, sticky, dakgangjeong-style glaze. Clinging tightly to the crunch, the sauce strikes a measured balance of gentle sweetness and savory depth rather than sharp heat. Alongside sits the requisite retro sidecar: shredded green cabbage drenched in pink ketchup-mayonnaise dressing, cutting through each bite with cool, nostalgic acidity. Those building out a longer drinking session tap into Barney’s classic hof menu. The golbaengi-muchim tosses tender sea snails with chewy noodles in a bright, fiery sauce, while freshly fried french fries arrive piping hot, crisp outside and fluffy within. For solo drinkers or lighter appetites, the kitchen accommodates half-chicken orders to pair with draft beer or chilled bottles of soju. It is a relaxed, unhurried outpost anchored firmly in its community, providing honest chicken and dependable comfort right at the southern edge of Seocho.