Samgyetang

Today's the last leg of Boknal Days here in Korea. 'Boknal' means the 3 hottest days of summer and during these days Koreans eat special foods that help restore stamina weakened from the scorching heat of the sun. The most popular dish for this period is "Samgyetang" or Chicken and Ginseng Soup as translated in English. And since today's boknal, I treated myself to a delicious Samgyetang for dinner.


Samgyetang is a nutritious dish prepared using a tender young chicken (or spring chicken as what others call it). Other ingredients such as ginseng, garlic, jujube dates, and glutinous rice are all inserted inside the chicken then it will be boiled in a special pot until tender. Samgyetang is known to stimulate one's appetite and rejuvenate the energy, that's what makes it perfect for summer. Samgyetang is also one of my favorite food here in Korea. I like eating it not just in summer, but all year round.