Tosokchon Samgyetang 2026: Prices, Hours, and Solo-Dining Guide Near Gyeongbokgung

Bottom line: Tosokchon Samgyetang near Gyeongbokgung is fine to visit alone. Samgyetang is cooked and served one bowl per person, so unlike yesterday's dak-hanmari in Dongdaemun, you don't need to share a 2-3 person portion. Credit cards are accepted, and it's open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you didn't know: Because it's one bowl per person by design, the cost simply multiplies by your party size. A bowl of samgyetang runs about 20,000 won, so a family of four pays roughly 80,000 won total. Unlike restaurants where one main dish can be shared among several people, there's no way to order fewer bowls than diners, so it's worth budgeting for that ahead of time.

Step inside and the first thing that hits you is the smell of simmering chicken, along with the sound of a milky broth bubbling in its pot. The building is a converted hanok with low ceilings and a mix of wooden-floor and heated-floor rooms, which is part of why it's often cited among foreign travelers as a quintessentially "Korean" restaurant. A whole young chicken stuffed with ginseng, jujube, and glutinous rice arrives still boiling in its stone pot, and a single spoonful of the hot broth warms you up fast. There are reports of lines forming during meal times, especially the noon-to-1 p.m. lunch rush, so going a bit earlier or later in the afternoon is one way to cut the wait. Some menu items can be packed to go, but it's best to call ahead to confirm exactly which ones.

Journey stage: During the trip · Verified 2026-10-26