Chimaek: Why Koreans Love Fried Chicken and Beer
Chimaek (치맥) is short for "chicken" (치킨) plus "maekju" (맥주, beer): crispy Korean fried chicken shared with cold beer, usually with friends, late in the evening. Koreans love it because it's cheap enough to be casual, social by design (one big box for the table), easy to get delivered almost anywhere, and good with sports, a riverside picnic or the end of a long week. It's less a dish than a ritual, and it's one of the easiest pieces of Korean everyday culture for a visitor to join.
What makes Korean fried chicken different
Korean fried chicken is usually fried twice, which gives a thin, crackly crust that stays crunchy even after being boxed up for delivery. You'll see a few standard styles on every menu:
- Fried (후라이드): plain, crispy and lightly salted.
- Yangnyeom (양념): coated in a sweet, sticky, slightly spicy red sauce.
- Soy garlic (간장): savory and glossy, a good choice if you don't like spice.
- Ban-ban (반반): half-and-half, so the table doesn't have to agree on just one.
Orders come with small cubes of pickled radish (치킨무), which cut through the grease. Many places also offer boneless (순살) versions, which are easier to share.
Why chicken and beer became a pair
Fried chicken spread through Korea in the late 20th century, first as whole roast chicken and then as the fried and sauced styles that brands built huge chains on. Beer was the natural partner: light Korean lagers are mild and fizzy, which suits salty fried food. The word "chimaek" itself became widely known in the 2010s and caught on with fans abroad when K-dramas showed characters craving chicken and beer on a snowy day.
Today chicken shops are everywhere, from big chains to tiny local places, and the competition keeps quality high and new flavors coming.
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Where and when Koreans eat chimaek
Watching sports
Baseball games, football matches and big international tournaments mean chicken orders. On big match nights, delivery can take longer than usual.
Han River picnics
On warm evenings, people spread mats in Seoul's Han River parks and order chicken to the park. Delivery riders meet you at set pickup points, and flyers for nearby chicken shops are often handed out there. Please take all your trash with you or use the bins provided.
Hofs and chicken pubs
A "hof" (호프) is a casual Korean beer pub, and many of them are basically chicken restaurants. Ordering is simple: one chicken for the table, then draft beer by the glass or by the pitcher. If you've already tried ordering at a Korean BBQ restaurant, this will feel familiar and even easier.
The Daegu Chimac Festival
The city of Daegu, home to several well-known chicken brands, holds a big summer festival dedicated to chicken and beer, usually in early July around Duryu Park, with food stalls and live music. Dates change every year, so check the official festival site before planning a trip.
How to order chimaek as a visitor
- At a restaurant: point at the menu or say "후라이드 하나, 생맥주 두 잔 주세요" (one fried chicken and two draft beers, please).
- Delivery: Korea's delivery apps work best with a local phone number. If ordering is tricky, ask your hotel front desk for help, or just walk to a nearby shop and order takeaway (포장).
- Convenience store: for a cheap late-night version, many convenience stores sell fried chicken pieces and cold beer. See our Korean convenience store guide.
Quick tips
- One whole chicken usually feeds two people. Order half-and-half if your group can't decide.
- Don't skip the pickled radish. It really does help.
- Not drinking? "Chi-kola" (chicken and cola) is just as common.
- You can legally drink in Korea from January 1 of the year you turn 19, and ID checks happen. Carry your passport.
- Expect a wait on big sports nights and Friday evenings.
FAQ
What does chimaek mean?
It joins "chi" from chikin (chicken) and "maek" from maekju (beer). In short: chicken and beer.
Which flavor should I try first?
Order ban-ban: half plain fried, half yangnyeom. That way you'll taste the two classic styles in one go.
Can I eat chimaek in a park in Seoul?
Yes, eating at Han River parks is a common local habit. Follow the park's posted rules and clean up after yourself.
Is Korean fried chicken spicy?
Plain fried and soy garlic aren't spicy. Yangnyeom is a little spicy, and some shops have hot versions marked with chili icons.