From Bukchon Hanok Village, we took the subway for one stop from Anguk Station to Gyeongbokgung Station, then walk down Jahamum-Ro before turning left to a smaller street (Jahamun-ro 5-gil) to reach the restaurant selling Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup.
We are not really foodies and seldom go specially to a place just for their food. However, on overseas trips, we like to at least visit a few “famous” places with local food, to try the food for ourselves. This restaurant is one of them.
Traditional Restaurant
We like the traditional look of the restaurant and stepping in, the interior was spacious and looks great too, with a traditional Korean feel. There were actually two sections, one was with low table and seats on the floor, while the other was with the standard table and chairs.
We were brought to the low seating area at first as there were no more seating space for the standard seats. I was a little worried about the mischief Ling would cause since she surely would not stay put. Just when I was pondering over whether to accept, we were told to go back again to the main section with the standard table. I guess people left and the staff understood this was better for us. Ling could sit in her high chair and be far away from our food.
Korean Ginseng Chicken Restaurant Menu
We chose the standard Tosokchon Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) each for the four of us. For Dar, we gave him a portion of ours as he would not be able to finish. We also added a Seafood and Green Onion Pancake to try.
Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup Review
The staff were friendly, though they do not speak much English. They immediately brought out the tea and side-dishes for us when we sat at the table. They also provided napkins and cutlery we could take ourselves.
The interesting items were four cups of yellowish-looking liquid. We were puzzled initially but on reading the instructions on “how to eat Ginseng Chicken Soup” on the menu, we realised those were the “ginseng wine” that were to be drunk before eating the soup. All of us took a sip and our faces scrunched up with the weird spicy taste. Ha.
The soup came but was disappointingly, not “boiling”. I like my soups boiling hot. It was just warm and actually quite bland, with a slightly bitter taste. I thought it would be a flavourful soup. My parents also did not think highly of it.
Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup with Lots of Stuff
We do not really know what is the “procedure” to eat this but garlic, chilli and salt was provided. I think we have to add the flavourings ourselves. Most of us did not and just ate it as it was, because we were so hungry by then. When it was my turn to eat after feeding Ling a little, I found it bland and decided to add in a little of the kimchi. The taste was much better!
By the way, it was not just “soup and meat”. There was rice with several other items stuffed inside the chicken meat, like gingko nuts, goji berry and ginseng pieces.
Other Food
The pancake was nice and I enjoyed their kimchi because it was not so spicy. Outside at the courtyard, there was even a counter selling their kimchi and my mum bought two bottles to bring home as gift! (10K each) However, back home, it did not taste like what I ate at the restaurant. It was too spicy and sour. I was so disappointed.
Why Eat This? Koreans believe that eating Ginseng Chicken Soup helps to “warm” the body and gives it energy. They would also eat this in Summer to dispel the heat from their body and stay energetic (without it, they feel lethargic and weak). I’m not sure if this is true though because we did not feel much different after eating.
Tip: If you decide to purchase their kimchi to bring back home as gifts, make sure you put it in the checked-in luggage. I told my mum not to bring it in hand-carry (yes, this is considered liquid) but she forgot. I did not check her bag too and one bottle got confiscated! Fortunately, she had placed the other one in the checked-in luggage or she would have wasted all her money.
Side-Story:
We passed by Gyeongbokgung Palace on the way to Insadong area. The gate looks so impressive at night. Then, it took us a while on foot before we reached Insadong area. However, we seemed to have gotten the wrong info about it. The street was deserted at around 8 plus pm and the shops were closed….another disappointment (maybe they only opened until later on weekends. Not too sure).
Korean Fried Chicken Snack
We returned back to Roinhome to rest and Vin spotted a Korean Fried Chicken Restaurant opposite! Thus, he went over to “Hotsun“, to purchase a box of it back. (Despite eating Ginseng Chicken Soup earlier, he felt hungry again). It was the healthier version (baked) and our first try of fried chicken in Korea. Indeed, the taste was quite special and not what we are used to. Skin was rather crispy too. The beer was his attempt at doing the “Fried Chicken with Beer” trend which Koreans embrace. He got it from a convenience store nearby. ^_^
Travel Period : 30 May – 5 June 2017 (Tues – Mon)
7 DAYS 6 NIGHTS IN SEOUL/JEJU ISLAND
Read next post : Day 3 – Korean Folk Village with Cultural Performances
Read our Summary Itinerary Post for South Korea 2017 Trip : 7 Days in South Korea Seoul and Jeju Itinerary
Read Tips on Seoul: Exploring Seoul Tips and Experience
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