Editor’s Note: Toucan has closed.
Outside of my friend Viniese, whose family ships her the ingredients to whip together an authentic jerk meal, I didn’t think I’d experience anything close to the jerk chicken I remember having back in Negril, especially not in Seoul. However, I’m surprised and happy to say that the new restaurant Toucan in Gyeongridan does just that.
The guys at Toucan cook up some deliciously tasty jerk chicken. It comes down to the spice and the grilling. Their chicken has all the Caribbean flavor of a Jamaican jerk. The meat is thoroughly marinated and grilled out in the open on their deck. When it came to the table the chicken had a strong spicy kick with just a hint of sweetness. Delicious, even though there was a distinct tangy taste missing, there’s something about jerked meat in Jamaica that’s hard to replicate without the pimento wood chips used when grilling. Toucan though comes so super close that I didn’t mind much at all.
They also do an Orange chicken, but I wouldn’t bother with that all. Compared to the Jerk chicken it has a bland forgettable taste. Definitely focus on the Jerk chicken and order the rice and beans as a side. You can order the chicken as a half or whole and it comes with spiced potato chips.
The mood inside of Toucan matches the exuberant taste of their food creates. It’s a bright and cheery burst of yellow, red, and green with a definite island vibe. Combined with the tropical beats they play it creates an atmosphere well suited to the style of food.
On the drink side there’s mojito, pina colada, and caipirhina on the menu as well as Red Stripe, lemonada, and an orange juice with milk concoction.
Prices:
9,000 KRW half a chicken 18,000 KRW whole
Cocktails 10,000 KRW
Hours:
Weekdays 6pm to 2am
Weekends Noon to 2am
Phone:
02 749-9966
Address:
Website:
None
Directions:
From noksapyeoung exit 2 walk straight. When you reach the underground pass go down and come up on the left side. Go to the corner, cross, and go right and walk straight. Toucan will be on your left after a minute or two.
