Visiting Shinpo Dakgangjeong Again After 15 Years
It had been about 15 years since my last visit to Shinpo International Market in Incheon.
Last October, I finally returned — and of course, my destination was clear from the start: Shinpo Dakgangjeong, the original and most famous dakgangjeong shop in the market.
Shinpo Dakgangjeong, Incheon
I’m not exactly sure when Shinpo Dakgangjeong first became famous, but among the many dakgangjeong shops inside Shinpo Market, it has held the top spot for over 20 years.
You can easily tell.
The shop is always crowded, and at one point, they even took over the chicken shop that used to face them. Now, both sides of the market entrance are filled with Shinpo Dakgangjeong. That alone says a lot.
Whenever I came to Shinpo Market, if I wanted dakgangjeong, I always came here.
Sometimes, I even visited Shinpo Market just to eat Shinpo Dakgangjeong.
Why?
The taste and portion size are completely different from typical franchise fried chicken.
Coming Back After 15 Years
Maybe it was nostalgia — or maybe it was just time.
I revisited Shinpo Dakgangjeong last October, about 15 years after my previous visit.
It was the middle of summer, during Korea’s hottest season. Heavy rain had been pouring for days, heat warnings were everywhere, and the weather was brutal.
Still, people came.
Some foods are seasonal in Korea, and dakgangjeong is one of those foods people crave no matter how hot or rainy it is.
I had written a blog post back then as well, so this visit made me wonder:
Has anything changed? Does it taste the same as I remember?
Takeout Instead of Dining In
Carrying a box of Shinpo Dakgangjeong makes you feel like a tourist — which I usually try to avoid.
But since takeout is much faster than eating inside, I decided to order to-go.
At Shinpo Dakgangjeong, the lines are separate:
- One line for takeout
- One line for dining inside
In the past, even the takeout shop had seating, but that has changed. Now, takeout and dine-in are clearly separated.
I waited about 10 minutes.
I ordered the Seasoned Dakgangjeong (Large, 22,000 KRW), and the line moved faster than expected.
The Iconic Shinpo Dakgangjeong Character
One of the most charming details is their mascot — a cheerful chicken, proudly advertising how delicious it is.
It almost looks like the chicken is raising its hand and shouting,
“Me! Choose me!”
The character is officially trademarked, and since Shinpo Dakgangjeong started in 1985, this mascot is now “middle-aged” too.
I’m not sure if they used this character from the very beginning, but if it has been around as long as the brand itself, it has truly grown old with history.
Opening the Box
Shinpo Dakgangjeong is all about the sauce.
As soon as you open the box, a strong aroma of sweet and spicy seasoning fills the air.
The chicken is still warm, coated in a thick, sticky glaze that balances heat and sweetness perfectly.
This unique flavor is exactly why people are willing to stand in line.
Close-Up Before Eating
Before eating, I took a few photos.
In Korea, Shinpo Dakgangjeong is often mentioned as one of the “Top 3 Dakgangjeong”, along with:
- Yeongwol Ilmi Dakgangjeong
- Sokcho Manseok Dakgangjeong
Having tried all three, I still remember Shinpo Dakgangjeong as my favorite.
Peeling back the crispy fried coating reveals juicy chicken inside — simple, but satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Compared to my memory from years ago, there was a slight sense of disappointment.
The sauce style felt familiar, but perhaps because I visited during a very busy time, the flavor didn’t feel as deep as I remembered.
That said, the taste is still irreplaceable.
This is not an artificial, capsaicin-heavy spicy flavor.
It’s spicy enough to make your mouth tingle, but the sweetness follows right behind, making you reach for another piece without realizing how spicy it is.
Some people might worry about the thick sauce because of sugar content — especially today.
But this isn’t something you eat every day.
It’s a flavor you crave once in a while, and I hope Shinpo Dakgangjeong continues to preserve its original taste.
These days, it’s becoming harder and harder to find foods that taste the same as they did years ago.
📍 Location Information
Original Shinpo Dakgangjeong
📍 3, Uhyeon-ro 49beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea
(인천광역시 중구 우현로49번길 3)