Tosokchon Samgyetang Near Gyeongbokgung: Price, Hours, and How to Get There (2026)

Bottom line: If you're finishing a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace and want ginseng chicken soup, you don't need to go far. Tosokchon Samgyetang is a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3). The basic samgyetang bowl costs 20,000 won and credit cards are accepted. Go slightly before or after the lunch rush to avoid the line.

If you didn't know: if you don't realize the restaurant is only a 3-minute walk and hail a taxi at the station instead, you'll pay the full Seoul taxi base fare (4,800 won for the first 1.6km, confirmed 2026-11-04 on the Seoul city transport information website) for a walk you could have done for free. Many reviews also mention a wait if you arrive during lunch hour (noon-1pm) — some say the dining room is large enough that the line moves fast, others say it gets longer on Boknal (Korea's "dog days") and weekends (estimate, based on reviews, not official data).

This hanok-style restaurant has been serving ginseng chicken soup since the 1960s, and its large dining hall means it seats many tables at once. The two base menu items are plain samgyetang and ottgyetang, both 20,000 won; there are pricier add-on versions (such as one with abalone) but their exact prices could not be confirmed from an official source. To order: register your name at the entrance if there's a wait, get seated, order samgyetang or ottgyetang at the table, and pay at the counter after eating. The surrounding alley is narrow with limited parking, so public transit is the better option.

Journey stage: During the trip · Verified 2026-11-04