
Tosokchon Samgyetang
A renowned destination for authentic Korean ginseng chicken soup, set in a charming traditional house near Gyeongbokgung Palace.

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Tosokchon Samgyetang

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A renowned destination for authentic Korean ginseng chicken soup, set in a charming traditional house near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
"Experience the revitalizing flavors of Seoul's best ginseng chicken soup in a truly traditional setting."
Arrive Early for Short Waits
Beat the crowds by arriving before peak hours, especially during summer. Queues can be long but often move quickly.
Enhance Soup with Ginseng Liquor
Add a small cup of ginseng liquor to your soup for an extra layer of flavor and a revitalizing boost.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Korean
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+82 2-737-7444
Address
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Website
tosokchon.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Ginseng Chicken Soup
Savor the rich and revitalizing Korean ginseng chicken soup, a signature dish renowned for its healing properties and delicious flavor.

Traditional Korean Ambiance
Experience a traditional atmosphere in a beautifully preserved Korean house (hanok), offering a unique and immersive dining setting.

Black Chicken Samgyetang
Try the visually striking black chicken samgyetang, a unique variation of the classic dish, often praised for its tender meat.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early for Short Waits
Beat the crowds by arriving before peak hours, especially during summer. Queues can be long but often move quickly.
Enhance Soup with Ginseng Liquor
Add a small cup of ginseng liquor to your soup for an extra layer of flavor and a revitalizing boost.
Customize Your Soup
Adjust the flavor to your preference using the provided condiments like salt and pepper.
Consider Sharing Dishes
To sample more of the menu, consider sharing larger dishes like the whole roast chicken.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early for Short Waits
Beat the crowds by arriving before peak hours, especially during summer. Queues can be long but often move quickly.
Enhance Soup with Ginseng Liquor
Add a small cup of ginseng liquor to your soup for an extra layer of flavor and a revitalizing boost.
Customize Your Soup
Adjust the flavor to your preference using the provided condiments like salt and pepper.
Consider Sharing Dishes
To sample more of the menu, consider sharing larger dishes like the whole roast chicken.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Tosokchon Samgyetang is highly praised for its authentic and delicious ginseng chicken soup, served in a traditional Korean house ambiance. While many rave about the rich broth and tender chicken, some find the main dishes bland and the service to be less than ideal, with occasional complaints about cleanliness and staff attentiveness.
"Absolutely phenomenal experience! From the moment we walked in the ambitions was warm and inviting the staff were incredibly friendly attentive and made us feel right at home every dish was packed with really nice Korean flavour and the kimchi was perfectly spiced. The atmosphere was also incredible. You can tell they put a lot of love into their food easily one of the best Korean dining experiences I've had highly recommend this and. This place had no rude staff and you will not regret coming here. This is not bad and it's very suitable for Asians. Recommend!"
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"Arrived slightly before lunch and a long queue formed, but the queue moved quite fast.
Appearance looks traditional and the staffs serves pretty fast.
Placed our orders and was promptly served with the ‘ban chan’.
A small cup of ginseng liquor was served and it was very refreshing with a good ginseng taste to it.
Ginseng chicken soup is really tasty and delicious.
Serving is just nice for one pax.
Will definitely visit again if ever in Korea."
Alvin Chan
"ORDERED:
🐔 Jeongigui Tongdak: Tosokchon Rotisserie Chicken (₩ 19,000 / ~A$21.00)
REVIEW:
I'm not a fan of ginseng chicken personally (but my family is).
So, I ordered a roast chicken instead so that I could still eat with them. 😗
Good:
1. Skin was crisp and a nice brown colour
2. It came with radish, a simple mayo salad and a chilli sauce
3. Portion was 1 whole chicken
Not good:
1. Some of the white meat - especially the breast part - was dry.
Perhaps I was having an off day because another google reviewer loved this dish.
When you finish eating, flag to the waitresses/aunties that you've finished and want to pay. We were given the table number/QR code sign to bring to the front. This was where we paid for our food!"
Jasmine (Jas.eats)
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The signature dish is the Samgyetang, a Korean ginseng chicken soup known for its rich broth and tender chicken.
Yes, long queues are common, especially during peak hours and summer. Arriving early or between meal times is recommended.
Yes, Tosokchon offers a black chicken samgyetang, which is a unique variation of the traditional dish.
Yes, the menu also includes dishes like Peking duck, roast chicken, and pajeon (savory pancakes).
You can mix in the provided ginseng liquor for an extra kick or use condiments like salt and pepper to adjust the taste.
The restaurant is very tourist-friendly and offers instructions on how to best enjoy the Samgyetang.
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Reputed to have Seoul's best samgyetang (Korean chicken soup), this tourist favorite, set in a group of traditional houses, is best recognized by the lines that form outside during lunch. While it is best to go between the lunch and dinner rushes, Tosokchon's signature samgyetang is worth the wait. The chicken used here is not oily in the least and the stuffing of over 30 different herbs and grains as well as ginseng, garlic, and jujube make it a filling and healthy meal.
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This prestigious restaurant opened over three decades ago – and its reputation is reflected in the long queues, especially during summer. Samgyetang (£15-£20) is the most popular dish in summer – a whole chicken stuffed with fresh ingredients including ginseng; it is renowned for being one of the healthiest dishes in Korea. To add additional flavour have it with insam-ju (ginseng liquor £7).
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Tosokchon Samgyetang is without a doubt one of the most famous restaurants in Korea’s capital city. As a mainstay in guidebooks to Seoul, the place is continuously packed with tourists, but is also a favorite among locals, who agree that the hype has been rightfully earned. The dish that keeps diners coming back for more is samgyetang.
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Where to try it: Tosokchon is the best place for ginseng chicken soup in Seoul. There will almost certainly be a line, but their samgyetang is heavenly.
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When in Seoul, sampling “samgyetang” (Korean ginseng chicken soup) is a rite of passage, and Tosokchon, located near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, is the place to do it. This eatery is renowned across the city for its restorative and delicious samgyetang, which is believed to boost energy and health, particularly during the sweltering Korean summers. The fame of Tosokchon transcends its culinary offerings; it is visited by a steady stream of locals and visitors wanting to taste what is arguably the best ginseng chicken soup in the city.
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★ Tosokchon Samgyetang – The best Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) place is located just next to Gyeongbokgung Palace and is the perfect place to visit for lunch or dinner. Tongin Market Lunch Box – Going to Tonging Market is an experience you must have. At the traditional market visitors can exchange money for a lunch box and coins, with those coins you can then buy certain dishes from vendors all around the market. 5000 krw should be enough for a small lunch.Check more info here.
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Tosokchon Samgyetang : Tosokchon Samgyetang is a prominent restaurant in Seoul that serves samgyetang, a traditional Korean chicken soup cooked with ginseng, jujubes, garlic, and sticky rice. The restaurant’s samgyetang is famous for its rich and savory broth, tender chicken, and aromatic scent. It is frequently consumed as a healthy and energizing supper, particularly during the hot summer months, when it is said to help replenish energy and enhance the immune system.
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Samgyetang (chicken soup) is a summer dish in Korea consisting of a possum (baby chicken) stuffed with rice, jujube, garlic, and ginseng (a medicinal root used in Korea). While the idea of a possum stuffed with ingredients might not seem appetizing, it is among Korea’s most celebrated and delicious dishes that is a must-have while in Seoul. Tosokchon is an institution for samgyetang that’s incredibly tourist-friendly and serving authentic chicken soup since the 1950s.
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Search up on Google and this samgyetang restaurant would pop up as one of the first search results. One of the reasons for ‘Tosokchon’’s popularity could be due to the fact that it is located near Gyeongbok Palace, a popular tourist attraction, and also because the restaurant is designed as a traditional Korean house ( hanok). Of course, the flavours of the ginseng chicken soup also appeal to those who have tried it, which is why it’s so highly recommended.
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Samgyetang (Ginseng chicken soup) is another must try in Korea and if you googled “Best Samgyetang in Seoul“, all the results on page one will direct you to ONE place: Tosokchon Samgyetang (토속촌삼계탕). At 12:30PM, we arrived to a 50pax long queue. But more surprising than it’s unbelievable popularity, is that we went from being the 50th customer in queue to being seated with our warm, ginseng-rich bowls of samgyetang in just 20 minutes; impressive or what?!
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Serving bowls after bowls of piping hot Samgyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup), Tosokchon Samgyetang is coined by many as the best Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul. Dig into a wholesome bowl of signature Samgyetang and revitalize yourself in this traditional-styled Korean restaurant!. Don’t be intimidated by the long queues (as expected of the best Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul), the waiting time is reasonably short and definitely worth your patience.
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If you're looking for a delicious bite to eat around Gyeongbokgung Palace, this is a stop you certainly don't want to miss. Operating since 1983, it has continued representing the vision of founder Jung Myung Ho's concept of making the most delicious a healthiest food in Korea. Made with black sesame, walnut, pine, chestnuts, ginseng, ginko, garlic, pumpkin seeds, and more healthy morsels, its a bowl that will surely tantalize your taste buds.
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Another icon of Seoul’s dining scene is Tosokchon (85-1 Chebu-dong, Jongno-gu), located a block west of Seoul’s main palace, Gyeongbokgung. Occupying a series of connected hanok (old wooden houses), this restaurant specializes in a superior version of samgyetang. A whole small chicken is stuffed with sticky rice, garlic, nuts, Korean dates, and ginseng, then boiled to perfection in a broth of ginseng, ginger, and other herbs.
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Tosokchon Samgyetang is renowned for its traditional ginseng chicken soup, attracting both locals and tourists. Located in Jongno-gu, this restaurant boasts a rich history and a cozy atmosphere, making it an excellent choice for a hearty meal. The signature dish, Samgyetang, features tender chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, ginger, and red dates, and is served in a light soup.
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I make it a point to come here every time I’m in Seoul and would brave all queues, no matter how long they are. Every other samgyetang I’ve had pales in comparison to this and hence I’ve never bothered to eat from any other shop ever again once I’ve had a taste of their rich & warm soup, topped with generous chunks of ginseng. Address: 5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
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If you’ve visited Seoul, then you need to try the staple comfort food of the South Korean’s and here, no one does it better than Tosokchon Samgyetang. This place serves the best "Samgyetang" (ginseng chicken soup) in the city. It’s a broth, full of flavors and chicken filled with ginseng, jujube, and sticky rice, making it a perfect dish for the summers.
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The reputed Tosokchon Samgyetang is situated close to the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace. Set in a traditional Hanok-style architecture, the restaurant radiates a homely ambiance thanks to its numerous cozy rooms. Established as one of Seoul’s most celebrated samgyetang restaurants, Tosokchon is virtually a culinary landmark in the city.
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Why it’s so awesome: Every city has a dish that they’re famous for and one of Seoul’s most famous dishes is known as Samgyetang. This is ginseng chicken soup, and the best place to buy it is at Tosokchon restaurant on Jahamun-ro 5-gil Road. Once you taste the dish, you’ll understand why people queue up to eat it every day.
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To have a taste of Seoul’s famous ginseng chicken soup, also known as Samgyetang, drop by Tosokchon. There might be a queue if you come during lunchtime, but the ginseng soup will definitely be worth the wait!. Address: 5, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, SeoulGetting there: Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
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Having done our homework, we knew that after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, there’s a famous Korean Chicken Soup (Samgyetang) restaurant in the vicinity. That’s exactly where we headed to – Tosokchon Samgyetang Korean Chicken Soup!. Price was a little steep at 16,000krw but portion was good for 2 to share.
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Located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, there is often a line seen out this popular samgeytang restaurant. Here the broth is a bit thicker and more savory than other versions of the hearty delicious soup. This restaurant is very popular and one of the most well-known among both Koreans and tourists.
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One of the more popular restaurants that both locals and tourists enjoy dining at is Tosokchon Samgyetang, which serves delicious ginseng chicken soup. For kids who may not be too fond of ginseng, there are also options like Korean pancakes and rotisserie chicken that they can eat with rice.
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If you’re looking for the best samgyetang restaurant on your next trip to Seoul, Tosokchon Samgyetang will fit the bill. With a stone’s throw away from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Tosokchon Samgyetang has been serving the locals and visitors alike for over three decades and still going strong.
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Tosokchon is known for its signature samgyetang (chicken ginseng soup), a popular Korean dish best eaten during the summertime. A 10-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station, it was a favourite spot of South Korea’s late president, Noh Muh-hyun, making it as an iconic landmark in Seoul.
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Tasting History at Tosokchon Samgyetang: Nestled in a charming hanok, Tosokchon Samgyetang serves up a culinary legend: ginseng chicken soup. This nourishing dish, believed to boost vitality, showcases the delicate balance of flavors that define Korean comfort food.
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Tosokchon is a very famous ginseng chicken soup restaurant in Seoul that serves traditional ginseng chicken soup. The soup here is particularly rich and the chicken is tender, making it perfect for travelers who want to savor the traditional nourishing delicacy.
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It used to be a favorite of the late president, Noh Muh-hyun. It’s a mainstay in guidebooks to Seoul, as evidenced by its popularity among tourists, and yet, the hype is well-deserved. The restaurant is best known for one thing: samgyetang.
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Tosokchon Samgyetang - Samgyetang, a Korean dish of chicken stuffed with rice, is the specialty of this restaurant located in the Jongno district. Tosokchon Samgyetang is famous for its rich and flavorful chicken broth.
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After walking around and taking pictures, it was time for some food!. We went to the most popular Tosokchon Samgyetang for Ginseng Chicken Soup, a must-try!. Peak hours are extremely busy so expect a line during lunch.
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Stop by Tosokchon for a taste of authentic Korean samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) or visit one of the many trendy cafes along Garosu-gil for a coffee and dessert break.
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