RecommendedEating out Mount Waverley

Smoky Hen

For a Korean spin on classic rotisserie chicken.

Quincy Malesovas

May 15, 2025

1 / 4Smoky Hen uses a wood-fired set-up for its Korean-style chicken.Eddie Jim

2 / 4Original wood-fired chicken is paired with chips or tteokbokki (rice cakes).Eddie Jim

3 / 4Outside the Mount Waverley store.Eddie Jim

Korean$

Korean fried chicken may have gone global, but chargrilled versions – known as tongdak-gui – are just as beloved back home. Seeing the popularity of Aussie chicken shops, Smoky Hen co-owner Scott Lee returned to Korea to research tongdak-gui before bringing it to Melbourne.

His chicken is brined for 24 hours, then slow-roasted over oak wood on a rotisserie imported from Korea. While the method is traditional, the sauces – garlic cheese, habanero-apricot and galbi (soy and sweet garlic) – speak to the tastes of younger generations.

Hot tip: Swap out chips for tteokbokki – chewy Korean rice cakes simmered in sweet-spicy sauce with dumplings and fish cake.

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Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/goodfood/melbourne-eating-out/get-korean-chargrilled-chicken-with-chewy-rice-cakes-in-melbourne-s-southeast-20250515-p5lzg4.html