Drinking in Hanjan

A couple of weekends ago we were able to visit Hanjan with some friends. The kitchen here turns out both modern and traditional Korean plates that are small and meant for sharing (the menu is literally split down the middle). I wish I could tell you more about them but what started as a innocent dinner among friends turned into  a Saki bombing soiree ending with ice cream in the toilet.

I do however remember that everything I DID eat was divine. The stand out here is the "Fresh Killed Chicken." Yes, thats right, Fresh Killed Chicken and thats how it is layed out on the menu. They even list out the different cuts: breast, skin, gizzards and even heart.  The chicken itself is of blue-ribbon provenance, fresh-killed in Brooklyn the day that it’s cooked, hence the name.  Its myriad parts come threaded onto short wooden skewers, alongside a spicy soy condiment. sweet-and-spicy Korean fried chicken done perfectly.

We stayed away from the heart but we did get the breast and it was unbelievably good. I mean lets call it for what it is - a high end Korean BBQ Chicken joint, but the ambiance is all class so definitely go here for date night (note there is communal seating in most of the restaurant). Oh, and it just won the TONY awards for best new Seoul restaurants of 2013.

The fried chicken on the menu is an obvious winner but you'll also find things like Kimchee & Brisket Fried Rice, Spicy Pork Belly Skewers, Pork Fat Rice cakes, etc. The beverage list showcases creative cocktails such as the spicy tequila-filled Korean Spice and well selected varieties of soju. But I wouldn't know that because I was just downing saki and beer. Good ass beer though...Makgeolli, an unfiltered, lightly effervescent style of rice beer that used to be the exclusive domain of Korean farmers, but has found new love among the young Korean and Japanese hipster population. We can call it the  PBR of East Asia. It goes down easy and is custom made for this style of bar-friendly plates.

If you're in K-Town and looking for a fancy spin on your classic Korean dishes, this place is perfect. Also open late so when you stumbling out of MSG, walk east and enjoy.