The Healthy Ginseng Chicken Soup

Samgyetang (삼계탕)

Samgyetang, sometimes called chicken ginseng soup, is an energizing soup-based dish. It is traditionally served during the summer for its nutrients which can easily be lost through excessive sweating and physical exertion during the hot summer.

To make Samgyetang, a whole chicken is boiled in a broth with Korean ginseng, dried jujube fruits, garlic, ginger and glutinous rice. Depending on the recipe, other medicinal herbs such as wolfberry (gugija), Codonopsis pilosula (dangsam), and Angelica sinensis (danggwi) may also be added. Spicy red chili pepper paste (gochujang) can be added to enrich its flavors and taste to one's preference. Like the other chicken soup, which is considered to help common sickness, samgyetang is also known be cure physical ailments and prevent sickness as well.  Proteins, minerals, and hormones from the whole chicken mixed with the beneficial properties of the ingredients combined in the dish makes it a revered culinary item in South Korea.

 Koreans usually enjoy it on three specific days in summer: "Chobok" (초복), "Jungbok" (중복), and "Malbok" (말복), which Koreans believe to be the hottest and most sultry of the year. Food with high nutrient content is eaten to regain the loss of stamina in the summer heat, and samgyetang is a favorite dish

The dish is usually accompanied by side dishes and, in some restaurants, a small complimentary bottle of insamju (ginseng wine)