🌿 Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgyetang) Recipe
📝 Introduction
Ginseng Chicken Soup, known as Samgyetang in Korea, is a hearty, nourishing dish that combines tender chicken, glutinous rice, garlic, dates, and fresh ginseng roots. Traditionally eaten during the hot summer days, it is believed to replenish energy, strengthen the immune system, and restore balance in the body. This dish represents not only a meal but a centuries-old tradition of using food as medicine.
🍗 Ingredients (Serves 4)
1 whole young chicken (about 1–1.2 kg), cleaned
2–3 fresh ginseng roots (like in your photo)
1 cup glutinous rice (soaked for 2 hours)
6 cloves garlic, peeled
4 dried jujube (red dates) or fresh dates
1 small piece of ginger (optional)
2 green onions
8 cups water
Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Optional: Chestnuts, lotus seeds, or goji berries for added nutrition
👩🍳 Instructions & Method
- Prepare the Chicken
- Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove leftover feathers.
- Stuff the cavity with soaked glutinous rice, 1–2 ginseng roots, a few garlic cloves, and a jujube.
- Tie the Chicken
- Use kitchen string or toothpicks to close the cavity so the rice doesn’t spill out while boiling.
- Make the Broth
- Place the stuffed chicken in a large pot. Add the remaining ginseng, garlic, jujubes, ginger, and 8 cups of water.
- Simmer Slowly
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken becomes very tender and the broth is rich.
- Season & Serve
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped green onions.
- Serve hot, making sure each guest gets a portion of broth, chicken, and some stuffing.
📜 History
Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. In Korea, Samgyetang became especially popular during the Joseon dynasty. The belief was that eating hot, nourishing foods during hot weather helps the body fight fatigue and maintain balance (“yi yeol chi yeol” — fight heat with heat). Today, Samgyetang is considered both a comfort food and a healing dish.
🌱 Benefits of Ginseng Soup
- Boosts immunity – strengthens the body against illness.
- Restores energy – combats fatigue and stress.
- Improves digestion – rice and chicken are gentle on the stomach.
- Enhances circulation – ginseng is known to improve blood flow.
- Balances body heat – keeps the body energized in both hot and cold seasons.
⚗️ Formation (How the Dish Comes Together)
The dish forms a perfect balance of:
- The earthiness of ginseng
- The sweetness of dates
- The comforting softness of rice
- The richness of chicken broth
Together, they create a medicinal yet delicious bowl that feels both like a soup and a tonic.
❤️ Lovers of the Dish
- Health enthusiasts – for natural remedies.
- Elderly people – who find it restorative.
- Families – as it’s often shared in a communal pot.
- Travelers in Korea/Asia – who want to try an authentic healing meal.
🔬 Nutrition (per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 450–500 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 15g
- Rich in vitamins B1, B2, C
- Contains saponins (from ginseng) – linked to immunity and anti-fatigue
🏁 Conclusion
Ginseng Chicken Soup is more than a recipe; it is a cultural tradition, a natural remedy, and a soul-warming dish. It shows how food and medicine intertwine, offering not just nourishment for the body but also healing for the spirit.
❤️ Lovers (Again, Because It’s Special)
This dish is especially loved by:
- Couples – sharing a whole chicken signifies unity.
- Grandmothers & mothers – who prepare it with love to care for their families.
- Food lovers worldwide – who are enchanted by its depth of flavor and health benefits.