Dakgogi

What is Dakgogi? Perched on the second floor at 25 Wellesley Street East just east of Yonge, Dakgogi brings Seoul-style chimaek culture to the Church-Wellesley corridor. The dining room channels a classic Korean drinking hall with warm timber paneling, spacious wooden booths, flat-screens streaming upbeat K-pop music videos, and a raised platform area where groups can sit cross-legged overlooking the street. It operates as a lively evening and late-night gathering place built for sharing massive platters of double-fried chicken alongside pitchers of beer and bottles of soju.

Dakgogi Menu & What to Order The kitchen specializes in Korean double-fried chicken served whole or half, bone-in or boneless, encased in a batter that holds its crunch even beneath thick glazes. The Half and Half platter is the smartest route for newcomers: combine the scallion-heaped Padak drizzled in sweet soy-mustard sauce with the sticky, sweet-heat Yang Nyeom. Round out the table with shareables like cheesy Prinkle fries, bubbling spicy tteokbokki rice cakes, and loaded bulgogi fries topped with kewpie mayo and a fried egg.

Know Before You Go Dakgogi operates primarily on walk-ins, and late-night crowds often pack the dining room after 9:00 p.m. on weekends, so arrive earlier in the evening to secure window booths or platform seats. The restaurant sits mere steps from Wellesley TTC subway station, making transit by far the easiest route since neighborhood street parking is scarce. Doors open daily at 5:00 p.m., with the kitchen serving until 12:30 a.m. on weeknights and 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.