Spicy Korean Chicken Feet (Dakbal)
Spicy Korean Chicken Feet, or Dakbal, is a beloved Korean dish featuring chicken feet simmered or stir-fried in a fiery, savory sauce. The sauce typically combines gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), gochujang (chili paste), garlic, soy sauce, and sugar, creating a sticky, intensely flavorful coating. It's a popular anju (drinking snack) and street food, often enjoyed with soju or beer.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Dakbal is very high in protein and collagen from the chicken feet, with a significant amount of fat from the skin and cooking oil, making it a calorie-dense dish (roughly 300-500 calories per serving depending on size and sauce). It provides minimal carbohydrates, with most coming from the sauce's sugar and chili paste.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbs | 12 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4.5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.2 mcg |
| Iron | 1.8 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
| Collagen | High (not quantified) |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Dakbal is a prime example of Korean 'ppalli-ppalli' (hurry-hurry) food culture, prized for its bold, stimulating flavors that pair perfectly with social drinking. Nutritionally, the high collagen content is traditionally believed to be excellent for skin health and joint support.
