Goryeo Samgyetang, Seoul

[Non-halal] Samgyetang 삼계탕 (Korean ginseng chicken soup) was one of our must-eat items when we planned for our Seoul trip. Hence, we visited Goryeo Samgyetang (광화 문점고) close to the Gwanghwamun Square, as recommended by our favourite Korean food blogger Chubro.

Goryeo Samgyetang in Seoul

Samgyetang is one of the most popular dishes in South Korea. The dish is essentially a whole young chicken stuffed with garlic, rice, jujube, and ginseng – served in a hot, steaming soup.

The dish is typically served in a Korean earthenware bowl (ttukbaegi 뚝배기) and customarily eaten during the summer days to replenish lost nutrients.

Recommended by the Michelin Guide, Goryeo Samgyetang is one of the more popular restaurants selling this ginseng soup in Seoul. We visited the second branch located close to Gwanghwamun Square 광화문점.

Goryeo Samgyetang in Gwanghwamun

The restaurant has been operating since the 1960s, which made sense as we were warmly welcomed by ajummas 아줌마 when we entered the restaurant.

Besides ginseng soup, the restaurant also offers Rotisserie Chicken and Jeonbokguk (porridge with abalone), but we were laser-sharp in our intention and ordered the signature dishes – Samgyetang (KRW18,000 or USD14)and Ogolgyetang (KRW24,000).

Our dishes were served with complimentary kimchi side dishes as well as insam-ju (Korean ginseng wine).

Flavourful soup, hearty meal

We enjoyed the Samgyetang. Compared to the ones we ate in KL, we find that the rice here has a more starchy consistency which goes well with the soup.

The stuffed rice in the chicken was also a generous portion. As for the chicken-based soup, we found it to be flavourful with the right amount of ginseng taste, and sweetness from the spring onion.

The chicken was also very tender with a subtle sweetness that goes well with the rice.

Ginseng chicken but make it black

The Ogolyetang is essentially the same dish with black chicken use instead. In terms of flavours, there were no noticeable difference but the black chicken has a firmer texture similar to Kampung chicken (village chicken) back in Malaysia.

Summary

Overall, we really enjoyed our meal here. If you’re looking for delicious Ginseng chicken soup in Seoul, do check this one out as it did taste better than the ones we’ve eaten in KL.

Goryeo Samgyetang 고려삼계탕 광화문점
Address: 5-1 Sejong-daero 23-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours: 10.30am-9pm Daily
Phone: +82 2-737-1888
Website: http://www.krsamgyetang.com/main/