Tosokchon Samgyetang | Korea Travelogue

Whenever someone asks me where to go to have samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) in Seoul, I always say "Tosokchon". Tosokchon is probably one of the most famous places in Seoul to have samgyetang at and this is evidenced by the long queues outside the shop for a table during lunch times (I have never gone there during dinner time so I can't testify to that. 

A trick to beat the queue is to head there right when they open. They open at 10am so if you reach there any time between 1000 to 1015, you can pretty much guarantee yourself a table with no queue and no waiting time. I've been there 4 times and have never had to queue for a table.

When you're in Tosokchon, of course you have to have their samgyetang. You can choose either to have the white chicken or the black chicken, both are equally good although some people say that the black chicken is healthier than the normal chicken (and it is slightly more expensive as well). Personally, I always go for the normal ginseng chicken soup but my parents wanted to give the black chicken a shot so we ordered one as well.

Tosokchon Ogolgye Samgyetang (23,000 KRW)

Tosokchon Ginseng Korean Black Chicken (Silky Fowl) Soup  

Tosokchon Samgyetang (16,000 KRW)

Tosokchon Ginseng Chicken Soup

The size of the samgyetang is pretty big, I would say if you have a small to normal size appetite, then opt to share 1 bowl among 2 people or 2 bowls among 3 people because the chicken is stuffed with rice, ginseng, and other herbs so it is a pretty hearty meal even if it's shared. That being said, the locals manage to polish off 1 bowl per person which is pretty impressive. Besides samgyetang they also sell seafood pancake which is pretty good (according to my family members because I don't eat seafood). 

Their menus are written in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese so don't worry about how you are going to know what to order. Also, most of the staff there speak Mandarin as well so you shouldn't have a problem ordering there.

Tosokchon Samgytang

Address:

| 5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul |

Opening hours: 1000-2200 daily

How to get here: 

1. Gyeongbokgung Station, exit 2.

2. Walk 120m in the direction of Hyoja-dong.

3. After passing "Popeyes", look for a GS25 and turn into the small lane at the corner of the shop.

4. Walk straight for about 10m and it will be on your left.

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