Seoul Samgyetang
서울삼계탕
About
Long-standing chicken soup spot near Euljiro 3-ga serving herbal samgyetang brewed with young male roosters alongside complimentary ginseng wine.
Just two minutes from Euljiro 3-ga Station, Seoul Samgyetang occupies a sprawling two-story perch on Mareunnae-ro. Long-term local office workers and neighborhood elders gravitate here for restorative bowls of chicken soup, packing out the airy second-floor dining room and booking the 30-to-40-seat third floor for corporate gatherings. While midday peak hours—especially during the sweltering *boknal* dog days of summer—often bring queues that stretch down the stairwell, fast table turnover keeps things moving briskly. The kitchen builds its foundation on fresh, domestic *ungchu* (young male chickens) sourced directly through contracted farms. Simmered for more than three hours alongside medicinal herbs like ginseng, astragalus (*hwanggi*), and prickly ash (*eomnnamu*), the resulting broth arrives milky white and concentrated, yet remarkably clean and free of grease. Inside each piping hot earthenware *ttukbaegi*, the meat yields completely to a spoon; even the typically dry breast portions pull apart with zero resistance, mingling seamlessly with stuffed sticky glutinous rice. Before the soup arrives, every guest receives a small complimentary pour of house-infused ginseng liquor. Its aromatic, earthy edge works well as an appetite stimulant sipped straight, though regulars often splash the shot directly into the boiling soup to temper any residual gamy notes and heighten the herbal broth. Alongside the liquor comes a generous spread of banchan: crisp radish *kkakdugi*, summer-friendly *yeolmu* (young radish green) kimchi, raw garlic slices, and a cold starter plate of seasoned chicken gizzards (*dak-ddongjip*). Beyond the quintessential daytime samgyetang and its abalone-topped counterpart, the extensive evening menu caters to late-night drinking crowds. Long after lunch ends, groups linger over whole rotisserie chicken (*jeongi-gui tongdak*), soy fried chicken, or sour aged-kimchi braised chicken (*muk-eun-ji dak-bokkeum-tang*), washed down with cold drinks until just before midnight.
Menu
- Ginseng Chicken Soup₩20,000
- Abalone Ginseng Chicken Soup₩27,000
- 오골계₩30,000
- Abalone Porridge₩18,000
- Oven-roasted Whole Chicken₩22,000
- Fried Chicken Wings₩22,000
- 닭모래집볶음₩22,000
- Spicy Braised Chicken₩37,000
- Aged-kimchi Spicy Braised Chicken₩40,000
- Whole Chicken Hot Pot₩37,000
Local tips
- Complimentary ginseng wine and seasoned chicken gizzard are served before your meal.
- Pour the ginseng shot directly into the hot broth to add herbal depth and cut any gaminess.
- Expect lunch queues down the stairs during summer peak days, though table turnover is swift.
- The 3rd floor offers spacious group seating accommodating up to 40 people for company gatherings.
Details
- Euljiro 3-ga Station
Opening hours
- Sunday
- 10:30–21:00
- Monday
- 10:30–21:30
- Tuesday
- 10:30–21:30
- Wednesday
- 10:30–21:30
- Thursday
- 10:30–21:30
- Friday
- 10:30–21:30
- Saturday
- —