Seoul’s Top 4 Samgyetang Restaurants: Tosokchon Samgyetang

January 12, 2023 969 Views

To the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace lies the Seochon Village. Here, you can also find a hanok village, though it differs from the well-maintained Bukchon Hanok Village. Seochon Village combines hanoks (traditional Korean houses), yangoks (Western-style houses), and villas, giving it a somewhat rustic atmosphere.

In Seochon Village, there is always a popular restaurant where many people line up. This place is called “Tosokchon Samgyetang.” It operates by converting a large hanok estate into a restaurant.

“Tosokchon Samgyetang: Renowned as one of Seoul’s Top 4 Samgyetang Restaurants”

Tosokchon Samgyetang is also known as one of the top three samgyetang restaurants in Seoul. The four renowned samgyetang restaurants in Seoul are: Tosokchon Samgyetang near Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangwonjeong in Yongsan, Hosu Samgyetang in Yeongdeungpo, and Goryeo Samgyetang in Jongno. Tosokchon Samgyetang, situated near the current Gyeongbokgung Station, has been in operation since 1983.

As it specializes in samgyetang, Tosokchon Samgyetang offers not only samgyetang, but also other dishes like haebul pajun (green onion pancake with seafood) and dakdoritang (spicy chicken stew). Most people who visit this place are likely to order samgyetang.

The basic samgyetang menu costs 19,000 KRW per bowl, making it evident that prices have increased significantly. In addition to the basic samgyetang, there are various other samgyetang dishes available, albeit at a higher price.

“When you add rice, Tosokchon Samgyetang serves sticky rice”

After having a bowl of samgyetang at Tosokchon, you feel like you’ve had a wholesome, nutritious meal. Since samgyetang is known for providing energy, this feeling is even more pronounced.

If you find the glutinous rice inside the samgyetang insufficient, you can simply order an additional serving of plain rice. The great thing about Tosokchon Samgyetang is that when you add rice, they serve sticky rice, so there’s no discomfort even if you mix it in.

“A Place Offering Samgyetang on a Large Scale”

Tosokchon Samgyetang is quite spacious, with over 100 seats. Yet, even with its size, you can find people lining up at the entrance during lunchtime.

Perhaps for this reason, meals are served quite efficiently. There’s a slight downside in that the chicken, pre-cooked and then boiled briefly, comes out with the broth hot, but the inside of the chicken isn’t as warm. While this aspect may be a bit disappointing, overall, it’s a place where you can have a satisfying meal.