Hwaseong Korean restaurant for herbal samgyetang: Dream Samgyetang

Now that cool breezes are starting to blow in the mornings and evenings, the temperature swings have me naturally craving something restorative. Wanting a healthy meal that would really fill me up, I visited Dream Samgyetang, a Hwaseong spot said to be famous for its deep, rich broth.

Dream Samgyetang hours and information

It is open from 10:30 to 22:30 Monday through Thursday and Saturday through Sunday, and from 10:30 to 21:00 on Fridays. Last orders are at 22:00 Monday through Thursday and Saturday through Sunday, and at 20:30 on Fridays; you can use the building's basement parking.

A clean space prepared for families

The restaurant was hygienic and very neatly maintained throughout, so it felt comfortable the entire time. At the self-service bar, three complimentary sides—kimchi, kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi), and pickled radish—were set out for guests to help themselves to.

There were also cute Pororo children's tableware sets that kids would love, plus plenty of high chairs, so families visiting with children should be able to enjoy a meal comfortably. 😊

I saw quite a few people dining alone, too. There is a well-organized lunch special with individual set menus, so you can come by yourself and still have a hearty meal without feeling awkward at all.

Another huge plus was that the menu was thoughtfully arranged by category, including dinner options and recommended sets for a drink after work to shake off the day's fatigue. No need to agonize over what to order! 💯

When we sat down, they brought over the three basic sides and some ginseng liquor!! Wasn't that the owner's way of telling us to properly nourish ourselves? 😁 My husband had to drive, so I had a glass, and it made me feel warm inside—just perfect as an aperitif before the steaming samgyetang~

The deep flavor of rich Dream Samgyetang

There were so many tempting dishes, including herbal samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), braised chicken, seafood pajeon (Korean scallion pancake), abalone chicken porridge, and boneless chicken feet, but I calmed myself down and ordered the signature Dream Samgyetang!! Its appearance alone, bubbling away in a ttukbaegi (earthenware pot), immediately caught my eye~🥘

They said it is slowly simmered with fresh Korean chicken and a generous amount of no fewer than 10 medicinal ingredients, including ginseng, sanghwang mushroom, astragalus root, and castor aralia, so I was even more excited~

Because it had been simmered with so many medicinal ingredients, the broth was unbelievably rich; I could sense its depth just by lifting it with a spoon. 🍵

And samgyetang absolutely needs salt, right?! Dipping the chicken lightly in salt was a perfect match for its tender texture, and with every bite, the subtle herbal aroma filled my mouth and rose around my nose.

The whole time I ate, I felt like I was really replenishing myself—my entire body warmed up and I somehow felt healthier. Of course, that may have just been in my head, but it must mean the dish was packed with that much flavor and nourishment, right? 😆

Three house-made side dishes

Looking at the notice, I saw that the kimchi, kkakdugi, and house-made pickles are all prepared in the restaurant. It said they are made carefully three times a week to keep them fresh and serve them at their most delicious stage of fermentation.

When you are eating a broth dish as rich as samgyetang, the sides really matter, too. Since these were made in-house, they had a freshness and deep savory flavor on a completely different level from ordinary store-bought sides!! ✨ And what more is there to say about placing a piece of well-fermented, crunchy kkakdugi right on a spoonful of samgyetang?

Personally, I was surprised by how wonderfully the sweet-and-tangy, crunchy pickled radish paired with the samgyetang~ If you visit later, please try that combination too! 🥒

Delivery service and my next menu pick

Most importantly!! They have now launched a parcel delivery service, so you can enjoy this flavor comfortably at home without having to visit the restaurant in person. I was so happy to hear that you can taste the deep, nourishing food of a specialty restaurant at home, too.

And when I looked at the menu, the newly launched chicken kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup) also caught my eye, so I mentally bookmarked it for my next visit. When you want to fill both body and mind with a hearty, healthy meal, I recommend stopping by Dream Samgyetang if you are looking for proper samgyetang in Hwaseong! 👍