Tosokchon Samgyetang is the most famous place in Seoul to eat samgyetang, Korea’s ginseng chicken soup. It sits in a cluster of hanok buildings a few minutes from Gyeongbokgung Palace, and it has been feeding palace visitors for decades. This guide covers the Tosokchon menu and prices, opening hours, how long the line usually is, and how to get there.
We also cover Muguok, the hanok samgyetang restaurant near Anguk Station where Justin Bieber ate during his Seoul trip in October 2026, plus two more ginseng chicken soup spots worth knowing. (Japanese: 参鶏湯 / 土俗村, Chinese: 参鸡汤 / 蔘雞湯.)
| Tosokchon Samgyetang | 토속촌삼계탕 |
| Address | 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 자하문로5길 5) |
| Nearest station | Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 2, about a 5-minute walk |
| Hours | Daily 10:00–22:00 (last order 21:00), open all year |
| Price | Samgyetang ₩20,000 |
| Reservations | Walk-in only for regular samgyetang |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
What Is Samgyetang?
Samgyetang is a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujube and garlic, then simmered until the meat falls off the bone. One small chicken is one serving, so it is easy to order even if you are eating alone. It is not spicy. Koreans eat it all year, but especially on the hottest days of summer (boknal), when the lines at famous samgyetang restaurants get very long.
Tosokchon Samgyetang Menu & Prices (2026)
| Dish | Korean | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) | 삼계탕 | ₩20,000 |
| Black chicken samgyetang | 오골계 삼계탕 | About ₩25,000 |
| Cultivated wild ginseng root samgyetang | 산삼배양근 삼계탕 | About ₩26,000 |
- Start with the regular samgyetang. It comes in a thick, nutty, milky broth that is richer than most samgyetang in Seoul.
- Each table gets a small glass of ginseng liquor for free. Drink it, or pour it into the soup.
- The black chicken (ogolgye) version may need to be booked in advance, so don’t count on ordering it as a walk-in.
- Prices are from the restaurant’s Naver listing as of fall 2026 and can change.
Tosokchon Wait Time & Best Time to Go
Tosokchon does not take reservations for regular samgyetang, so expect a line at lunch. The line is long but it moves fast because the restaurant is big and the dish comes out quickly. On weekends and on boknal days in summer, waits of an hour or more are common.
- Shortest waits: right after opening (10:00) or mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner.
- Longest waits: weekday lunch from about 12:00 to 13:00, weekends, and summer boknal days.
- Groups usually wait longer than solo diners and pairs.
How to Get to Tosokchon
Take Line 3 to Gyeongbokgung Station, leave by Exit 2 and walk about 5 minutes into the Seochon alleys. The restaurant has parking, with one hour free. It is an easy lunch stop before or after visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Muguok: The Samgyetang Spot Justin Bieber Visited
On October 23, 2026, Justin Bieber was spotted eating at Muguok (무구옥), a hanok restaurant in Anguk-dong, during his first trip to Seoul in 13 years. Fan videos of the visit spread quickly, and Muguok became one of the most talked-about restaurants in Seoul.
Muguok serves North Korean-style samgyetang (이북식 삼계백반). Instead of a stuffed whole chicken in one bowl, you get half a chicken, a rich chicken broth and rice served separately, cooked in large cast-iron cauldrons (gamasot) in the middle of the dining room. The MICHELIN Guide added Muguok as a new listing in August 2026, describing the broth as “rich and robust, with a long, satisfying finish.”
| Muguok | 무구옥 (안국 본점) |
| Address | 7 Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울 종로구 율곡로1길 7) |
| Nearest station | Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 1, about 480 m |
| Hours | Daily 11:00–21:00, break 15:00–17:30 (last orders 14:00 and 20:00) |
| Waitlist | No reservations. On-site waitlist opens at 10:00; remote waitlist via the CatchTable app |
| Must order | North Korean-style samgye baekban ₩18,000 |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
| Dish | Korean | Price |
|---|---|---|
| North Korean-style samgye baekban | 이북식 삼계백반 | ₩18,000 |
| Squid & chicken salad | 오징어 닭무침 | ₩9,500 |
| Spicy braised chicken (medium) | 매운 닭찜 (중) | ₩40,000 |
Tip: Since October 2026, the on-site waitlist opens at 10:00 and seating starts at 11:00. Waits of one to two hours are not unusual since the Bieber visit, so register first and walk around Bukchon or Gyeongbokgung until you are called.
Tosokchon vs Muguok: Which One Should You Pick?
| Tosokchon | Muguok | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Whole stuffed chicken in thick, milky broth | Half chicken, broth and rice served separately |
| Price | ₩20,000 | ₩18,000 |
| Waiting | Long but fast-moving line | Waitlist, often 1–2 hours |
| Hours | 10:00–22:00, no break | 11:00–21:00, break 15:00–17:30 |
| Nearby | Gyeongbokgung, Seochon | Anguk, Bukchon, Gyeongbokgung |
| Best for | First-time visitors, classic samgyetang | Something different, MICHELIN-listed |
2 More Samgyetang Restaurants in Seoul
Goryeo Samgyetang (고려삼계탕), City Hall
Opened in 1960, Goryeo Samgyetang is often called Korea’s first samgyetang specialty restaurant. Its broth is clear and light, the opposite of Tosokchon’s thick style. It was listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul from 2017 to 2023. Samgyetang costs ₩20,000.
- Address: 1 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, about 1 minute from City Hall Station Exit 10
- Hours: Mon–Fri 10:30–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:30–20:30. Closed on Seollal and Chuseok days.
- Map: Open in Naver Map
3rd Samgyetang (3대삼계장인), Seocho
Run by the same family for three generations since 1973, 3rd Samgyetang was named a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand in the 2026 guide. The broth is rich and hearty. It is in Seocho, south of the river, about a 7–10 minute walk from Seoul National University of Education Station (Lines 2 and 3), so it is a good pick if you are staying around Gangnam.
- Address: 56-3 Banpo-daero 28-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
- Check opening hours on Naver Map before you go.
- Map: Open in Naver Map
How to Eat Samgyetang Like a Local
- Taste the broth first, then season it with the salt and pepper on the table.
- Pull the chicken apart with your chopsticks and dip the meat in salt.
- Scoop out the sticky rice from inside the chicken and mix it into the broth like porridge.
- Eat it with kimchi and kkakdugi (radish kimchi). Refills are free.
FAQ
How much is samgyetang at Tosokchon?
Regular samgyetang is ₩20,000. Black chicken and wild ginseng versions cost about ₩25,000–26,000.
Can I make a reservation at Tosokchon?
No. Regular samgyetang is walk-in only. Go early or mid-afternoon to avoid the longest lines.
What time does Tosokchon open?
Tosokchon is open every day from 10:00 to 22:00, with last order at 21:00.
Where did Justin Bieber eat samgyetang in Seoul?
At Muguok in Anguk-dong, Jongno, on October 23, 2026. Its signature North Korean-style samgye baekban costs ₩18,000.
Is samgyetang spicy?
No. Samgyetang is mild and savory. You add salt and pepper yourself.
Prices and hours were checked in November 2026 and can change. Check Naver Map before you go.
Looking for more places to eat? See our guide to the best Korean restaurants in Seoul, or browse all Seoul restaurant guides.