百年土種蔘雞湯 백년토총삼계탕

I wonder if everyone has tried ginseng chicken soup, a must-eat dish when coming to Korea. It feels super comfortable to have a bowl when the weather is cold, it's truly essential for the chilly weather!

This time, I visited a restaurant that's very close to the Hongdae shopping area. From Exit 9 of Hongik University subway station, it's just a short walk of less than 400 meters. The storefront has very noticeable Chinese characters, and just across the street is a bus stop, making it very convenient for transportation 🚌.

I had been wanting to try this restaurant, as it is an old establishment certified by Michelin Korea. With a sense of curiosity, I came for a meal – to my surprise, there were many Taiwanese people dining around us 😂. I initially thought it was mostly locals eating here.

The menu is simple and straightforward. After being seated, they serve side dishes which can be refilled endlessly. Not long after ordering, the chicken soup was served. The piping hot soup made my heart race, and the whole space became warm ( •̤ᴗ•̤ )♡

My friend and I ordered two different priced ginseng chicken soups 👇🏻

✐ Traditional Ginseng Chicken Soup (토종삼계탕) ₩17,000

• This is approximately NT$380, the most affordable and basic version. I find the price acceptable since ginseng chicken soup is generally on the pricier side, especially with the large portion of chicken. The chicken is incredibly tender, and the glutinous rice inside combined with the rich broth is very comforting. Although the flavor is subtle, it’s not boring. Occasionally having something light is also a good choice in a country filled with barbecue and heavy flavors.

✐ Mountain Ginseng Cultivated Root Ginseng Chicken Soup (산삼배양근삼계탕) ₩23,000

• This is approximately NT$520, and the luxurious version comes with what seems to be fried ginseng on top! I think it’s a good experience for the first try, but if I were to come back, I would just stick to the basic one (unless you’re really passionate about ginseng, then go for this one). The broth tastes quite similar.

Additionally, when paying at the counter, they had candy, which my friend and I both praised as super delicious. It's somewhat similar to our mint candies but of a much higher quality, so you might want to pay a little attention to it when settling the bill 😉⸝⸝> ༥ <⸝⸝😉