Gangnam Korean restaurant for fresh yam samgyetang: Masamgyetang

Wanting a hot bowl of nourishing food, I visited Masamgyetang Baengbaeng Sageori near Baengbaeng Sageori. I was curious how samgyetang made with fresh yam would differ from the version I usually eat.

How was it getting to the restaurant and parking near Baengbaeng Sageori?

The restaurant is on Dogok-ro 3-gil, near the Baengbaeng Sageori dining area. It was also within walking distance of Gangnam Station, and the large sign made it easy to find. The exterior looked clean as well.

It was also convenient that parking was available. The restaurant said free parking was available with a meal, so if you drive, it would be best to check the parking conditions before visiting.

What was the dining room like for a meal with parents?

The restaurant was more spacious than I expected once I went inside. The tables were not packed closely together.

Overall, it was clean and arranged mostly with four-person tables. It seemed suitable for bringing parents or dining with a group.

The atmosphere also seemed well suited to nearby office workers looking for lunch. I felt it would be a reasonable place for a bowl of samgyetang on a day when I wanted a Korean lunch in Gangnam.

What was on the menu, and what did I order?

Besides samgyetang and half-chicken samgyetang, the menu included samgyetang chicken porridge, dakdoritang (spicy braised chicken), boneless fried chicken, stir-fried chicken gizzards, and fried ginseng. I ordered Masamgyetang with fresh yam.

When I visited, half-chicken samgyetang could be ordered until 3 p.m. It seemed worth noting for anyone who might find a whole chicken too much.

How did the fresh yam samgyetang broth taste?

After a short wait, the samgyetang arrived bubbling in a ttukbaegi (earthenware bowl).

A whole chicken was sitting in the hot broth.

The difference from the samgyetang I usually eat was the addition of blended fresh yam.

The broth felt a little thicker and smoother than regular samgyetang. At first, I worried that the yam’s characteristic sticky texture would be strong, but it was not overwhelming. It was nutty yet mild, and the yam flavor did not stand out too much.

How were the chicken and side dishes?

The chicken was cooked until very tender, so the meat came away easily when I nudged it with chopsticks. I could eat it without having to pull it apart, and the flavor was mild.

It went well with the broth, and dipping it lightly in salt brought out the chicken’s mild flavor. I especially liked eating it with salt.

There were several basic side dishes, which were good to eat between bites. For refills, I could take as much as I needed from the self-service bar, which was convenient.

The broth was substantial but less heavy than I expected. Eating the chicken, broth, and glutinous rice together filled me up with one bowl.

When would I think of coming back for this meal?

I remembered the smooth, thick broth made with fresh yam. Overall, the flavor was mild, so I felt it would suit a day when I wanted nourishing food without strong seasoning. Considering the spacious, clean dining room too, it was a restaurant I would keep in mind when choosing somewhere to eat out with my parents.