Dongtan samgyetang restaurant with seafood pancake: Dream Samgyetang

Wondering where to go for a seasonal recovery meal? I recently visited Dream Samgyetang, known as a go-to spot for boyangsik (nourishing food) near Dongtan Station.

To cut to the conclusion: "even on my second visit, it was just as satisfying." I'd gone once before, liked it, and came back — and this time it didn't disappoint either.

Mornings and evenings have gotten noticeably cooler lately. During this kind of seasonal transition, I always feel a bit sluggish and low on energy. So this time I went with a friend for a bowl of samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to recharge.

How close is Dream Samgyetang to Dongtan Station?

The Dream Samgyetang Dongtan Station main branch is located at 2F, Unit 201, 128 Dongtan-yeok-ro, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. It's about 279 meters from Exit 2 of GTX-A Dongtan Station, so it's a quick walk.

First-timers might find it a little confusing. Take the elevator up to the 2nd floor, then head to the right.

The entrance is on the side rather than the front, so you'll basically need to walk partway around the building to find it. There's also a spacious underground parking lot in the building, so it's convenient for those driving.

Visiting Dream Samgyetang at 2pm on a weekday: the unexpected upside

We visited Dream Samgyetang around 2pm on a weekday. Since we came after the lunch rush, the restaurant was pretty quiet.

Thanks to that (?), it felt almost like we had the whole place to ourselves — so peaceful, haha. I actually liked that it wasn't crowded. We got to chat with each other and eat slowly, which meant I could focus more on the food too. Sometimes a relaxed meal like this ends up being the most memorable.

The signature Dream Samgyetang: how was the broth?

This time too, I ordered the Dream Samgyetang, the restaurant's signature dish.

The broth is simmered for a long time with 10 ingredients, apparently. The moment I took the first spoonful, my first thought was, "this broth is really rich."

But it wasn't harsh or overly salty — it had a clean, deep flavor. I'm quite fond of samgyetang in general, and this place's broth really stood out to me. It had a thick, rich quality that left me feeling full and satisfied long after finishing the bowl. And the stuffing inside the chicken was generous too, so I enjoyed every bite. You could naturally tell they weren't skimping on ingredients.

After finishing the whole bowl, I felt my body slowly warming up. "Ah, this is why people come here to recover," I thought. It really felt like I was being recharged.

Seafood pancake and ginseng liquor: the side order worth adding

For the side dish, we ordered the seafood pancake.

Honestly, I'd planned to just have the samgyetang, but ordering this turned out to be a great call.

The pancake came out perfectly crispy, packed generously with seafood, giving it a nice texture and nutty flavor. It wasn't greasy either, which made it a great pairing with the samgyetang.

This place also serves ginseng liquor alongside your meal. One bite of seafood pancake, one sip of ginseng liquor — the combination worked better than I expected.

My friend kept saying how delicious it was too. I felt weirdly proud, like I'd personally recommended it or something.

Was the chicken gamey or fishy at all?

There's one thing I always pay attention to when eating samgyetang — the gamey, fishy smell that chicken can sometimes have. At Dream Samgyetang, I barely noticed any of that.

The broth was clean, and the chicken itself was in good condition, so I was able to enjoy it deliciously to the very end. I think even people who don't usually enjoy samgyetang could eat this without hesitation.

Why Dream Samgyetang comes to mind when the seasons change

During this time of year, when the temperature swings are so big, taking care of your body really matters. A proper hot bowl of nourishing food definitely makes you feel lighter.

If you're near Dongtan Station and fit any of these, Dream Samgyetang might be worth a visit:

• Looking for a place to recover and recharge
• Looking for a meal spot for your parents
• Craving a healthy, wholesome meal
• Searching for a good boyangsik (nourishing food) restaurant near Dongtan Station

Even on my second visit, I was satisfied, and I suspect I'll think of this place again once it gets colder. Take care of your health during this seasonal transition, and recharge with a hearty bowl of nourishing food!