Kyochon Pilbang
Itaewon in Seoul
Today I’d like to introduce a special place in Itaewon — Kyochon Pilbang, where pulling a giant brush opens a secret door.
Whenever a foreign friend visits Korea, I always say, “We have to go here together.” It’s one of my go-to spots to take them.
It’s a place where you can naturally experience a touch of traditional Korean beauty, while also enjoying Kyochon’s delicious fried and seasoned chicken.
Not only foreigners, but even Koreans like me end up thinking, “Wow, I didn’t know a place like this existed.” It’s that unique and charming.
I even went with my parents, and they loved it too.
Location, Hours & Parking
Address
- 127 Bogwang-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Yuyoung Building)
- 1-minute walk from Itaewon Station (Line 6), Exit 4
There is no signboard, so it can be a little hard to find. Look for the large brush hanging in front of the building — that’s the entrance. Pull the brush downward and the secret door will open.
Opening Hours
- Daily: 11:30 – 23:30
- Weekday break time: 15:00 – 16:00 (No break on weekends)
- Last order: around 22:00–22:30
If you’re coming with a group or have an important meeting with friends, I recommend making a reservation on Naver in advance.
Parking
- Almost no dedicated parking available at the restaurant
- Paid parking lots nearby (valet parking is sometimes available)
Parking in Itaewon is inconvenient, so public transportation is highly recommended. One option is to park at Hangangjin Public Parking Lot and walk about 15 minutes while enjoying the neighborhood. (Hangangjin Station is only one stop away, so you can also park there and take the subway to Itaewon Station.)
Exterior
When you look at the exterior, you’ll see a black building with a wall texture that looks like it was painted with brush strokes. A large brush is hanging there all by itself.
The words KYOCHON PILBANG are written vertically on the wall.
Most Koreans think that “Pilbang” only comes from the Chinese character 筆 (brush), meaning a traditional shop that used to make and sell calligraphy brushes.
However, it also has a double meaning — (Pil = Feel) bang, a room where you can truly “feel” Kyochon.
When you step inside, you won’t see seating right away. Instead, you’ll only find shelves completely decorated with brushes.
Don’t worry! There’s a Call button on the screen above. Press the button and wait a moment — the wall next to you will slowly open, just like the Chamber of Secrets in Harry Potter, revealing the real space inside.
Interior & Atmosphere
In the center of Kyochon Pilbang, there is a large brush that looks like something a Taoist immortal would use, with smoke gently rising from it. Thanks to this, the whole space is filled with a strong Oriental atmosphere.
The seating areas on both sides are spacious, and there are quite a lot of seats. Perhaps because it has become popular among tourists through word of mouth, there were far more foreign visitors than Korean customers.
The kitchen is also clearly visible. There was one hidden space as well, and I was told that this is where you can enjoy Kyochon’s omakase.
It seems to be a private space where they slowly serve a full course made with chicken.
The ceiling of the restroom is decorated with feathers, which made me feel like I was standing under a brush. It also had a soft, spreading atmosphere like a traditional Korean landscape painting (sansuhwa), so I took a photo of it.
Kyochon Pilbang Menu & Prices
(Photo source: Kyochon Pilbang menu photos from the official Naver page)
Kyochon Pilbang MD Goods
There were also a variety of goods available.
Keyrings and dolls made with the Kyochon Pilbang characters, stationery sets and cutlery sets, as well as exclusive beer glasses and mugs that go perfectly with their beers.
There were many nice items that would make great souvenirs.
What I Ordered
Pilbang Stuffed Pepper Fries, Pilbang Signature Platter, Grilled Tteokbokki
The Signature Platter comes with several different types of chicken, and three sauces are served separately on the side.
Next to them, a brush is hanging. You can use this brush to paint the sauce of your choice directly onto the chicken — it was a fun hands-on experience.
The sauces were also kindly labeled, so it was easy and enjoyable to try.
They served really plump stuffed pepper fries, and the taste was similar to Uirak, which is famous for its pepper fries in Korea!
The Grilled Tteokbokki is made by grilling whole rice cakes (garaetteok).
Rather than the spicy sauce soaking deep inside, it felt more like the sauce was coated on the outside, similar to tteokkochi.
(Tteokkochi is a popular Korean street snack made by skewering about five small rice cakes, frying them, and then coating them with a sweet gochujang sauce.)
They give you scissors, so it’s best to cut the rice cakes into bite-sized pieces and spread the sauce evenly.
If you prefer tteokkochi over regular tteokbokki, you’ll probably like this version more!
Visit Review & Rating
Space ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The space is really great! It feels like there’s another secret door inside the secret door, and the atmosphere is completely different from a regular chicken restaurant. It’s unique and fun to explore.
Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Signature Platter was so delicious! It came with a brush so you can paint the sauce yourself, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
I don’t usually drink alcohol, but for people who love beer, this would pair perfectly as an appetizer.
Would I Visit Again? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have a friend coming from the UK soon, and I’m planning to bring them here.
My Korean friends and even my parents really loved this place. It’s a hotspot for both locals and tourists.
If you’re visiting Seoul, you should definitely stop by!
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment.
I’ll answer as best as I can!
I’ll be back with another review next time.
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