Samgyetang ginseng chicken soup at Tosokchon, Seoul

Photo: Cyprien Delaporte · Unsplash License (Unsplash)

KVIBE IDOLS › Food guides › Seoul › Samgyetang and the Tongin Market lunchbox near Gyeongbokgung

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Samgyetang and the Tongin Market lunchbox near Gyeongbokgung

The Seochon neighbourhood west of Gyeongbokgung Palace is an easy lunch stop: a hot bowl of samgyetang or a lunchbox you fill yourself with brass coins.

What to eat

Where to eat

Tosokchon Samgyetang토속촌 삼계탕

The best-known samgyetang house in Seoul, in a hanok-style building near the palace. Open daily 10:00–22:00; lines move fast.

Address
5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 자하문로5길 5
Getting there
Gyeongbokgung Stn (경복궁역, Line 3) Exit 2, ~5 min walk
Price
₩₩
Hours
Check current hours on Naver/Kakao Map before you go
How to order · Say it in Korean삼계탕 두 그릇 주세요.Samgyetang du geureut juseyo.Two samgyetang, please.

Tongin Market (Dosirak Café)통인시장 도시락카페

Buy brass coins (yeopjeon, ₩500 each) and an empty tray at the 2F café, then trade coins for food at member stalls. Café hours roughly 11:00–15:00 (weekends to 16:00); closed Tuesdays and the 3rd Sunday.

Address
18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울 종로구 자하문로15길 18
Getting there
Gyeongbokgung Stn (경복궁역, Line 3) Exit 2, ~10 min walk
Price
₩ · coins ₩500 each, ~₩10,000 per person
Hours
Check current hours on Naver/Kakao Map before you go
How to order · Say it in Korean엽전 만 원어치 주세요.Yeopjeon man-won-eochi juseyo.10,000 won of coins, please.

Korea Samgyetang (Goryeo Samgyetang)고려삼계탕

Since 1960

Opened in 1960 as one of Seoul's first samgyetang specialists. Open every day (weekdays 10:30–21:00, weekends to 20:30) — handy if you are near City Hall or Deoksugung.

Address
1 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울 중구 서소문로11길 1
Getting there
City Hall Stn (시청역, Line 2) Exit 10
Price
₩₩
Hours
Check current hours on Naver/Kakao Map before you go
How to order · Say it in Korean전복삼계탕 하나 주세요.Jeonbok samgyetang hana juseyo.One abalone samgyetang, please.

Nearby audio guides

🎧 Gyeongbokgung Palace & Gwanghwamun🎧 Gwanghwamun Square: King Sejong & Admiral Yi🎧 Bukchon Hanok Village

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Places are long-running, well-known institutions checked against public listings (Michelin Guide, Wikipedia, tourism sites) in October 2026. No paid placements. Hours and prices change, so check the map app before you go.

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