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| A bowl of herb ginseng chicken soup |
You might think a steaming bowl of soup is best enjoyed during the cold winter. But in Korea, samgyetang—a hot ginseng chicken soup—is the ultimate comfort food for summer. Surprising? Let’s explore why this warm, nutritious dish is one of the most beloved Korean summer foods, and why thousands line up to eat it during the hottest days of the year.
🐔 What Is Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)?
Samgyetang (삼계탕) is a traditional Korean soup made by simmering a young whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, dried jujube (red dates), chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, and fresh Korean ginseng. The chicken is slowly cooked in a herbal broth, often enhanced with medicinal herbs like astragalus root and licorice.
The dish is served boiling hot in a traditional earthenware bowl called ttukbaegi, which retains heat and keeps the soup warm throughout the meal.
Samgyetang only became widely popular in the 1920s, though ginseng chicken soups have existed for centuries. Many Korean families still prepare homemade samgyetang as a ritual meal for summer health and wellness. The dish is considered an essential experience for first-time travelers to Korea, often recommended by the Korea Tourism Organization.🌿 Health Benefits of Ginseng Chicken Soup
Samgyetang isn’t just tasty—it’s considered a health-boosting meal. Packed with medicinal ingredients, it's believed to strengthen the immune system, boost energy and stamina, improve digestion and appetite, reduce fatigue and heat stress, and help the body recover from illness or exhaustion. Traditional Eastern medicine views ginseng, garlic, and medicinal herbs as powerful ingredients that balance internal energy and support well-being.
Key Ingredients with Heath Benefits
| Ingredient | Purposes and Benefits |
|---|---|
| Young chicken (poussin) | Tender meat, easy to stuff |
| Korean ginseng | Boosts energy & immunity |
| Glutinous rice | Adds texture, aids digestion |
| Jujubes (red dates) | Sweetness + blood circulation |
| Garlic & ginger | Enhances flavor, anti-inflammatory |
| Astragalus root | Deepens broth’s medicinal properties |
🥢 How Samgyetang Is Served?
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| Samgyetang served with kimchi and soju |
A typical bowl includes:
- A young whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and herbs
- A clear, aromatic broth rich in nutrients
- Garnishes like sliced green onions
- Side dishes such as radish kimchi (kkakdugi) and cold beer or soju
- Optional condiments: salt and pepper for seasoning to taste
☀️ Why Koreans Eat Samgyetang in Summer
Despite being a hot soup, samgyetang is most popular during the summer months, especially on Sambok (삼복)—the three hottest days of the year according to the lunar calendar: Chobok (early summer), Jungbok (mid-summer), and Malbok (late summer).
Koreans believe in the traditional principle of “yi yeol chi yeol” (이열치열)—meaning “fight heat with heat.” Eating hot food stimulates sweating, which is thought to help cool the body, detoxify, and restore energy during the oppressive summer heat.
On Sambok days, it’s common to see long lines outside samgyetang restaurants across Korea. Locals and tourists alike patiently wait for their turn to enjoy this soul-warming soup. Even in sweltering temperatures, people believe that sweating from hot food is the secret to staying healthy through the summer.
🍽️ Where to Eat the Best Samgyetang in Seoul?
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| Visitors lining up to eat Ginseng Chicken Soup in Tosokchon Samgyetang in seoul |
If you’re visiting Seoul in the summer, don’t miss these iconic restaurants serving authentic samgyetang:
1. Tosokchon Samgyetang (토속촌 삼계탕)
- Located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, this legendary spot is often called the “President’s Chicken Restaurant” due to its popularity with past Korean presidents like Roh Moo-hyun.
- Known for rich, flavorful broth and high-quality ginseng.
2. Korea Samgyetang
- A beloved institution since the 1960s, located in the heart of Seoul.
- Listed among the “Top 100 Local Restaurants Loved by Koreans.”
3. Lake Samgyetang
- A bit off the beaten path, but highly regarded for its intense herbal flavor and commitment to tradition.
- A hidden gem worth seeking out for serious foodies.
Samgyetang is more than just food—it’s a symbol of resilience, tradition, and health in Korean culture. Whether you're visiting Korea during summer or just want to experience authentic Korean cuisine, a steaming bowl of samgyetang is a must-try.
📚 Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
"삼계탕은 어린 닭에다가 찹쌀, 인삼, 대추, 밤, 황기 등을 넣고 푹 고아서 만든 닭 요리다. 이름 삼계탕에서 알 수 있듯이 인삼이 필수로 들어가야 하며, 인삼이 없으면 삼계탕이 아니라 백숙이 된다. 한국의 대표적인 보양식이며 특히 복날에 먹는 여름 보양식이다."
Key Vocabulary:
- 삼계탕 (sam-gye-tang) – ginseng chicken soup
- 어린 닭 (eo-rin dak) – young chicken
- 찹쌀 (chap-ssal) – glutinous rice / sticky rice
- 인삼 (in-sam) – ginseng
- 대추 (dae-chu) – jujube
- 밤 (bam) – chestnut
- 황기 (hwang-gi) – astragalus root (a medicinal herb)
- 푹 고다 (puk go-da) – to simmer for a long time / to boil thoroughly
- 닭 요리 (dak yo-ri) – chicken dish
- 필수로 (pil-su-ro) – essentially / necessarily
- 백숙 (baek-suk) – plain boiled chicken
- 보양식 (bo-yang-sik) – nourishing food / health food
- 복날 (bok-nal) – the three hottest days of summer in the lunar calendar
- 여름 보양식 (yeo-reum bo-yang-sik) – summer health food
Language Insight:
- 삼계탕 is not just a meal—it’s a traditional 보양식 believed to restore stamina during Korea's hot and humid summer.
- 복날 includes three specific days: 초복 (first summer day), 중복 (middle summer day), and 말복 (last summer day), when Koreans traditionally eat 삼계탕 to “fight heat with heat” (이열치열).
- The difference between 삼계탕 and 백숙 lies in the presence of ginseng. This is emphasized in the phrase "인삼이 없으면 삼계탕이 아니라 백숙이 된다."
Translation:
"Samgyetang is a chicken dish made by thoroughly simmering a young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujube, chestnut, astragalus root, and more. As the name suggests, ginseng is an essential ingredient; without it, the dish is not Samgyetang but Baeksuk. It is one of Korea’s most iconic health foods, especially eaten during Boknal, the hottest days of summer."
🔍 Keywords:
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