Crispy Korean fried chicken, a cold beer and a table full of friends.
That combination has its own name in Korea:
chimaek (치맥).
Chimaek is the popular Korean pairing of fried chicken and beer, and it has become one of the most recognizable parts of modern Korean food and drinking culture.
You might have seen it at a Korean baseball game, delivered to a picnic by the Han River, or appearing in a K-drama.
But chimaek is more than simply ordering chicken with a beer.
In this guide, you’ll learn what chimaek means, why the combination became so popular in Korea, which styles of Korean fried chicken to try, how K-dramas helped introduce it to international audiences and where you can experience chimaek in Seoul.
What Is Chimaek?
Chimaek (치맥) is the Korean pairing of fried chicken and beer.
The word combines 치킨 — chikin — chicken and 맥주 — maekju — beer to create 치맥 — chimaek.
Official Korean tourism sources describe chimaek as the combination of Korean fried chicken and beer, while Korea.net identifies it as a modern part of Korean social dining culture.
Source: VISITKOREA
Table of contents
01 What Is Chimaek?
02 What Does Chimaek Mean in Korean?
03 Why Is Chimaek So Popular in Korea?
04 Chimaek in K-Dramas: My Love from the Star
05 What Korean Fried Chicken Is Best for Chimaek?
06 Where Do Koreans Eat Chimaek?
07 Where to Enjoy Chimaek in Seoul
08 Chimaek at the Han River: How Does It Work?
09 Chimaek vs Somaek
10 Is Chimaek Traditional Korean Food?
11 Can You Have Chimaek Without Alcohol?
12 Is There Really a Chimaek Festival in Korea?
13 Chimaek FAQ
14 Want to Experience Korean Drinking Culture in Seoul?
15 Final Thoughts
What Does Chimaek Mean in Korean?
The meaning of chimaek is hidden directly inside the word.
comes from chicken — 치킨 (chikin) in Korean.
comes from maekju (맥주), the Korean word for beer.
Put them together and you get:
chi + maek = chimaek
Korea’s official tourism organization uses the same explanation when describing the pairing of fried chicken and beer.
It is a good example of the shortened combination words that appear frequently in modern Korean conversation and pop culture.
But unlike some internet slang, chimaek describes something you can easily experience for yourself in Korea.
Source: VISITKOREA
Why Is Chimaek So Popular in Korea?
Chicken and beer may sound like a simple combination, but chimaek grew into something much bigger than a menu choice.
Korea.net traces the pairing back to the 1970s and says the chimaek phenomenon entered the mainstream during the 2002 Korea–Japan World Cup, when large groups gathered to watch football together. Today it is associated with casual evenings, gatherings with friends, delivery food and sports.
Source: Korea.net
That makes chimaek especially social.
You don’t need a formal dinner.
You don’t need complicated drinking etiquette.
A group can simply order chicken, put a few beers on the table and share everything.
Chimaek and Korean Delivery Culture
Delivery is also a major part of the experience.
Korean fried chicken is one of the foods commonly ordered to homes and outdoor gathering spots, and modern delivery apps have made that even easier. Korea.net highlights fried chicken as a major delivery food, while VISITKOREA specifically recommends chimaek as a riverside picnic option at Hangang parks.
This is why chimaek can look very different depending on where you experience it.
It might be:
The common element is simple:
fried chicken + cold beer + a relaxed social setting.
Chimaek in K-Dramas: How My Love from the Star Made It Famous
If you discovered chimaek through Korean dramas, there is a good chance My Love from the Star had something to do with it.
The 2013–2014 drama features actress Jeon Ji-hyun as Cheon Song-yi, a character with a memorable love of fried chicken and beer.
The scenes became so influential that Korea.net reported a “chimaek fever” among viewers in China. Interest in the food combination grew dramatically, with Korean fried chicken restaurants seeing increased demand and viewers actively seeking out the meal they had seen on screen.
A later Korea.net feature described My Love from the Star as leaving behind international visitors who wanted to try chimaek for themselves.
The drama did not invent chimaek.
The pairing already existed in Korea. What the show did was introduce an everyday piece of Korean food culture to a huge international audience.
And that is something K-dramas do particularly well: they make ordinary Korean experiences look like something viewers want to try for themselves.
Source: Korea.net
What Korean Fried Chicken Is Best for Chimaek?
There is no single required style of chicken.
One of the fun parts of chimaek is choosing the version you like.
Official VISITKOREA food guides highlight several popular styles of Korean fried chicken, including seasoned chicken, soy-sauce chicken and chicken topped with sliced green onions.
Original Fried Chicken
This is the simplest option.
Golden, crispy fried chicken without a heavy glaze.
If you want the beer to stay refreshing and the chicken to remain very crisp, original fried chicken is an easy first choice.
Yangnyeom Chicken
Yangnyeom chicken is coated in a sweet, spicy and sticky sauce.
It’s probably one of the most recognizable Korean fried chicken styles outside Korea.
The richer sauce makes the contrast with a cold beer especially noticeable.
Soy Sauce Chicken
Soy-based chicken is typically sweeter and more savory than spicy.
It is a good option if you want seasoned chicken without the heat of a red sauce.
VISITKOREA lists soy-sauce-seasoned fried chicken among established Korean fried chicken varieties.
Padak — Green Onion Chicken
Padak (파닭) combines fried chicken with sliced green onion.
The fresh onion adds a lighter, sharper contrast to the fried chicken.
VISITKOREA also lists fried chicken with green onions as a popular Korean style.
What About Dakgangjeong?
You may also come across dakgangjeong, pieces of fried chicken coated in a sticky glaze.
It is closely related to Korea’s wider fried-chicken culture, and VISITKOREA lists dakgangjeong alongside other fried chicken dishes.
But you don’t need to treat every fried chicken dish as exactly the same thing.
For a classic first chimaek experience, original fried chicken, yangnyeom or soy-style chicken are easy places to start.
Source: VISITKOREA
Where Do Koreans Eat Chimaek?
Pretty much anywhere that works for chicken, beer and a group of people.
But several settings are especially associated with the combination.
Chicken Restaurants
The simplest option is a Korean chicken restaurant or chicken pub.
Order one or two styles to share and add beer.
Many restaurants offer half-and-half combinations, which are useful if your group wants to try more than one flavor.
At Home
Fried chicken is one of Korea’s classic delivery foods.
This makes chimaek an easy casual night in: order chicken, open a beer and watch a game, movie or drama.
Korea.net describes fried chicken delivery as deeply integrated with modern Korean food culture.
At Baseball Games
This is one of the most fun ways to understand why chimaek became such a social experience.
VISITKOREA describes fried chicken and beer as a must-try part of the Korean baseball experience at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, where the combination sits naturally alongside Korea’s famously energetic cheering culture.
So if your Seoul itinerary includes a KBO game, chimaek fits perfectly.
At the Han River
And then there is the most photogenic version:
chimaek beside the Hangang River.
That’s become one of the most recognizable casual Seoul experiences.
Where to Enjoy Chimaek in Seoul
If you’re visiting Seoul, you don’t need to hunt down one special “chimaek restaurant.”
The pairing is available across the city.
Instead, think about where you want to experience it.
Hangang Parks
If you want the classic outdoor Seoul version, start here.
VISITKOREA calls chicken and beer one of the must-eats for an ideal Hangang Park picnic, and updated tourism guidance notes that designated delivery zones make it possible to order food such as Korean fried chicken directly to parts of the riverside parks.
Popular parks include:
You don’t need to visit all four. Pick whichever fits your Seoul itinerary.
Jamsil Baseball Stadium
If you’re visiting during baseball season, Jamsil gives you a completely different version of chimaek. Instead of a quiet riverside picnic, you get:
VISITKOREA specifically highlights chimaek as part of the stadium experience.
Chicken Restaurants Across Seoul
Sometimes the easiest experience is also the best. Find a chicken restaurant in the neighborhood you’re already exploring, order a couple of flavors and share.
Hongdae, Jongno, Gangnam, Itaewon and countless residential neighborhoods all have chicken restaurants, so you don’t need to redesign your entire itinerary around chimaek.
Source: VISITKOREA
Chimaek at the Han River: How Does It Work?
For first-time visitors, the Hangang version can sound more complicated than it is.
The basic idea is:
- 1Choose a Hangang park
- 2Find a picnic spot
- 3Buy or order Korean fried chicken
- 4Pick up your order at the appropriate delivery point if using delivery
- 5Enjoy your picnic by the river
VISITKOREA notes that Seoul uses designated Delivery Zones at Hangang parks for food orders. Current guidance specifically lists zones at places including Yeouido and Ttukseom.
Because delivery systems, park rules and pickup arrangements can change, check current information when you visit rather than relying on an old screenshot or blog post.
If delivery feels complicated, simply buy chicken before entering the park or pick it up nearby.
You don’t need to master a Korean delivery app to enjoy chimaek by the river.
Source: VISITKOREA
Chimaek vs Somaek: What's the Difference?
The words sound similar, but they describe completely different things.
| 🍗 Chimaek | 🍶 Somaek | |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | 치맥 | 소맥 |
| What is it? | Fried chicken + beer | Soju + beer |
| Type | Food-and-drink pairing | Mixed alcoholic drink |
| Main ingredients | Korean fried chicken + beer | Soju + beer |
| Best known for | Casual meals, delivery, sports, picnics | Korean drinking culture and group nights out |
The easiest way to remember it:
Chimaek is what you eat and drink together. Somaek is what you mix in the glass.
This is also why the two can exist at the same Korean table without being interchangeable.
Is Chimaek Traditional Korean Food?
Not in the sense of an ancient Korean culinary tradition.
Chimaek is better understood as modern Korean food culture.
Korea.net traces the chicken-and-beer pairing to the 1970s and says it became mainstream during the 2002 Korea–Japan World Cup.
So chimaek sits in an interesting position.
The ingredients and preparation draw on Korea’s modern fried-chicken industry.
The social experience reflects Korean habits around shared food, delivery, sports and drinking.
And K-dramas helped turn that modern Korean habit into something recognized around the world.
That makes it culturally Korean without pretending it has existed for hundreds of years.
Source: Korea.net
Can You Have Chimaek Without Alcohol?
Technically, the “maek” in chimaek comes from maekju — beer.
So the literal combination is: fried chicken + beer.
But you absolutely do not need to drink alcohol to enjoy Korean fried chicken culture.
Swap the beer for:
and enjoy the same chicken, sharing style and social atmosphere.
It simply isn’t “chimaek” in the literal word-building sense anymore.
That distinction is useful because Korean food and nightlife experiences don’t need to revolve around alcohol.
Is There Really a Chimaek Festival in Korea?
Yes.
Daegu hosts the annual Daegu Chimac Festival, a large summer event built around fried chicken, beer, music and entertainment.
VISITKOREA describes it as Daegu’s signature summer festival and Korea’s largest food-and-drink event dedicated to the pairing. The 2026 edition took place from July 1–5 around Duryu Park.
The festival has been running since 2013.
If you’re planning a future trip specifically around it, check the current year’s dates before booking travel.
Source: VISITKOREA
Chimaek FAQ
What is chimaek?
Chimaek is the Korean pairing of fried chicken and beer.
The name combines part of the word “chicken” with maek from maekju, the Korean word for beer.
What does chimaek mean in Korean?
Chimaek (치맥) combines 치킨 — chikin — chicken and 맥주 — maekju — beer.
It describes eating Korean fried chicken with beer.
Is chimaek chicken and beer?
Yes.
That is the basic definition.
Different chicken flavors can be used, but fried chicken and beer are the core pairing.
Why is chimaek popular in Korea?
It works well as casual shared food and is strongly associated with social gatherings, delivery, sports and relaxed evenings.
Korea.net says the pairing became especially mainstream during the 2002 Korea–Japan World Cup.
Which K-drama made chimaek famous?
My Love from the Star played a major role in introducing chimaek to international audiences.
Scenes involving Cheon Song-yi and fried chicken with beer helped trigger what Korea.net described as a “chimaek fever” among viewers in China.
Where can I have chimaek in Seoul?
You can find Korean fried chicken restaurants throughout Seoul.
For a more distinctive experience, try chimaek at a Hangang park or during a baseball game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Both settings are highlighted by Korea’s official tourism organization.
Is chimaek traditional Korean food?
It is better described as modern Korean food culture than an ancient tradition.
The pairing developed during the late 20th century and became increasingly mainstream through sports, delivery culture and popular media.
Can I enjoy chimaek without alcohol?
You can absolutely enjoy Korean fried chicken without alcohol.
However, because maek comes from maekju — beer — the literal word chimaek specifically refers to chicken and beer together.
Want to Experience Korean Drinking Culture in Seoul?
Korean fried chicken is one part of a Korean night out.
The games around the table are another.
If you’re visiting Seoul and want to experience more than just the food, join our Korean Drinking Games Night in Hongdae.
You’ll meet other travelers, learn Korean drinking games step by step and experience the social side of Korean nightlife with a local host.
✓Solo travelers are welcome.
✓Drinking alcohol is optional.
Final Thoughts
Chimaek sounds simple: fried chicken and beer.
But in Korea, that combination has become part of something much bigger.
And thanks to K-dramas such as My Love from the Star, it’s also one of those small pieces of everyday Korean culture that became recognizable around the world.
So if you’re visiting Korea and someone suggests:
“Let’s have chimaek.”
you now know exactly what they’re offering.
And the answer is probably worth saying yes to.
