The Korean term ‘Samgyetang’ refers to Korean ginseng chicken soup whereby a small chicken is usually stuffed with nutritious ingredients such as ginseng, garlic, jujube and rice. Locals have it during harsh winter days to stay warm and even during summer to replenish lost body fluids.

After days of Korean BBQ and Kimchi Jjigae, we were craving for something lighter on the taste buds and decided to drop by one of Seoul’s oldest and most established ginseng chicken soup restaurants, Korea Samgyetang.

The no-frills restaurant is just like its straightforward name—they dish out honest-to-goodness Samgyetang dishes that are flavourful and leaves you wanting more.

Having been around since 1960, Korea Samgyetang is recognised as the first Korean ginseng chicken soup restaurant in Seoul. So yes, you know that you are left in good hands under experienced chefs.

The spacious Samgyetang restaurant is sparkling clean with long communal tables that are great for families and groups of friends who are dining together.

No one goes to a Samgyetang restaurant without ordering the classic Samgyetang (W15,000/ S$18.07). Served in an iron pot, the bubbling broth carried a strong fragrance which we got us all excited before we even begin our meal.

We could taste all the ingredients that were infused in the soup—ginseng, garlic, Chinese dates and other traditional herbs. The chicken meat was tender and the dish was further perfected with sweet glutinous rice.

All Samgyetang dishes are accompanied with a ginseng shot which you can either have it before you start eating or add it to the soup for a richer ginseng taste.

For something more premium, try their Jeonbok Samgyetang (W21,000/ S$25.30). The same ingredients are used as the traditional Samgyetang but this one comes with a piece of abalone. The fleshy abalone was generous in size and came with a smooth texture.

For an even healthier alternative, go for the Ogolgyetang (W21,000/ S$25.30). Black chicken is known to contain plenty of antioxidants which are beneficial for your health and it is often used as a form of Chinese medicine.

Prepared in a similar way, you will also find sticky rice and ginseng in the succulent, fall-off-the-bone chicken. If you have never tried black chicken before, this is a good place to start.

Korea Samgyetang
1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil
Seosomun-dong
Jung-gu, Seoul
Tel: +82 2 737 1888
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Heading to Seoul soon? Take a look at our Seoul Travel Guide for more recommendations.

Talk about Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) in Seoul and many will point you to Tosokchon.

There are often arguments about how Tosokchon is touristy/ meant for tourists, but there is no denying that this institution serves one of the best Samgyetang renditions in Seoul. And it is actually pretty reasonably priced!

If you haven’t already tried it, here’s what you are missing out on.

Tosokchon is a stone’s throw from Gyeongbokgung Station, making it a common pit stop after a visit to Seoul’s most famous Imperial Palace. The restaurant is said to be frequented by Korean’s late President Roh Moo-hyun.

Queues are not uncommon at Tosokchon but the wait is not long; the Hanok-style restaurant has a seating capacity of approximately 400, hence the relatively easy waiting time. We also love the traditional seating style on wooden floors and eating on old-school wooden tables.

On the menu, go straight for the signature Korean ginseng chicken soup and do not bother about anything else. Both Tosokchon Korean ginseng chicken soup (W15,000) and Tosokchon Korean Black Chicken Ginseng Soup (W22,000) are fantastic; we’ve had them on numerous occasions over the last few years and never once had they disappointed us.

A whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice sits in a bowl of milky broth that is also filled with garlic, dates and ginseng shreds; the chicken is so tender that the flesh falls off the bone with just a tug.

You can also opt to add wild ginseng roots to enhance your soup for an additional W6,000. To be honest, we thought that it did not make a big difference to the taste of the soup.

If you are one who fancies your food strong-flavoured, there is a jar of salt where you can help yourself to. They serve really good kimchi that you can eat all you can, too.

Really, guys. Don’t be too bothered by what people say about Tosokchon being touristy. You have to try it to believe how good it is. Tosokchon has the best Samgyetang in Seoul.

Tosokchon
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Sajik-dong
Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Tel: +82 2 737 7444
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung

For more recommendations on the best places to visit in Seoul, read our Seoul’s food and travel guides.