Samgyetang
The result is a soup that is an absolute delight to the senses. Its subtly fragrant aroma paired with its sweet, rich taste is often hard to resist. It serves up a healthy dose of comfort and warmth that can be heartily enjoyed at any hour. The soft texture of the chicken itself is also particularly appetizing as it tends to soak up some of the flavor from the broth.
Perfectly balanced with just a hint of heat, Samgyetang has become a popular dish during the warmer months of the year. Whether you're suffering from a slight case of the sweltering summer blues or simply looking for something comforting yet light, this savory soup is sure to fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied. For those looking for something a bit more intriguing, creative additions are also quite popular such as mushrooms, pumpkins, and garlic. As with anything, the only limitation is your imagination!
Samgyetang recipes
Amazing Samgyetang recipes sourced from the web.
The origin of Samgyetang
Few dishes can bring together tradition, history and health quite like Samgyetang. This time-honoured Korean delicacy is made from chicken filled with herbs, garlic, ginseng, glutinous rice and chestnuts – but its origin story is as fascinating as its flavourful taste.
Legend has it that the dish originated in a Korean village in the 12th century. At that time, an outbreak of plague had left the people of the village on the brink of starvation. It was said that an old man advised them to fill a chicken with rice and steamed ginseng, believing that the combination of ingredients could help to nourish the villagers and keep them healthy. They obliged, and were so taken with the results that they continued to make it whenever illness or famine struck the village.
From there, the popularity of Samgyetang spread throughout Korea, and eventually even crossed borders. Koreans all over the world began to rediscover their traditional dish, and it wasn't long before it became a beloved staple of Korean cuisine.
Samgyetang isn’t just popular for its taste though. In addition to being delicious, this dish is believed by many to have postulogenic properties and is often eaten by athletes or those ill. Koreans still see it as a source of strength, vitality, and nutrition, and it’s often served during important celebrations such as birthdays, Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
Today, Samgyetang has become so popular that it’s found on menus all across Korea, from street vendors to sophisticated restaurants, and it's often prepared in a variety of ways. Whether it’s cooked in a pressure cooker for extra tenderness, or boiled and served with steamed vegetables, this traditional dish is a linchpin of Korean cuisine and culture.
Types of Samgyetang
Ah, Samgyetang—that ancient Korean dish, traditionally served during the sweltering summer months since centuries ago, featuring a lusciously tender stewed chicken and a myriad of flavorful ingredients. Though most famously enjoyed during Sambok, Korea's sole heatwave holiday, its flavors are cherished by many throughout the seasons.
Today, it is no longer just that one traditional version, enjoyed for centuries, but has evolved into quite a range of rarified variations of the original. Each unique iteration, hailing from different regions of the country, has its own distinct character, exuding an intriguing amalgam of intriguing flavorings and textures that remain faithful to the traditional roots while still managing to offer something unexpected and novel.
Perhaps the most popular regional variant of Samgyetang is the Seoul-style Samgyetang, which utilizes ginseng as one of its star ingredients. The addition of ginseng root imbues the stew with a piquant yet gentle hint of umami, deepening and enlivening the overall flavor profile. An equally beloved version is the Wonju-style Samgyetang. Instead of ginseng, this iteration employs dried dates and chestnuts, giving the finished dish a delightful sweetness and subtle notes of nuttiness. For those wanting to add a bit of a kick to the dish, there's also the Chungju-style Samgyetang, flavored with hot pepper paste and fragrant herbs such as wild chives.
These are only a few of the many variations of the beloved Samgyetang. Each iteration offers an exposition of the fantastic culinary range Korea possesses, captivating diners with its innovative and ever-evolving gastronomic masterpieces. No matter how one chooses to prepare it, Samgyetang will continue to remain a favorite amongst food-lovers everywhere.