Half-chicken samgyetang until 3pm in Gangnam, Seoul: Masamgyetang

I went looking for a Bangbaeng Sageori restaurant and found Masamgyetang. It's a Gangnam samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) spot, but what caught my attention was that they grind in fresh yam, which apparently makes the broth different. I had a reason to be in the area, so I made my first visit with my parents, the three of us together. I've put together some tips below that are good to know before you go.

How to get to Masamgyetang near Bangbaeng Sageori

You can walk from Exit 4 of Gangnam Station or Exit 3 of Yangjae Station toward Bangbaeng Sageori. Both stations are within easy walking distance, and once you head into the alley you'll spot it right away. It's a popular pick for people around Yeoksam, Seocho, Yangjae and Dogok too.

Since it's a newly opened place, the interior is bright and clean. The layout stretches back deep inside, and the tables are spaced generously so you don't have to worry about the next table over. It's a comfortable atmosphere to eat alone in, and since there's a lot of demand from office workers at lunch, groups come through often too. If you're driving, you can use the building's basement parking free for 90 minutes with a meal.

What we ordered at Masamgyetang

Masamgyetang Bangbaeng Sageori Branch had a wider menu than I expected. The core lineup is masamgyetang (18,000 won), banggyetang (11,000 won, until 3pm), and samgye dak-juk. Samgye dak-juk is chicken simmered down into a porridge, so it's a gentle option on days your stomach feels sensitive. In the evening they also serve a spicy dakdoritang (braised chicken), so an evening visit gives you one more choice.

My parents ordered masamgyetang, and since I'm a 365-day dieter, I went with the banggyetang.

Unlike regular samgyetang, masamgyetang has fresh grated yam mixed in, so the broth turns milky and thick. One spoonful in, there's a distinct heavy smoothness from the yam, but it isn't greasy or heavy-tasting. Before I knew it, I could see the bottom of the bowl.

They use young chicken, so the meat is tender with no gamey smell. There's glutinous rice stuffed inside the chicken, and once you've picked all the meat off, stirring the rice into the leftover broth makes for a filling finish.

Both my parents finished their bowls completely, without leaving anything. That's a happy sign of a place worth recommending!

How late can you order banggyetang?

Banggyetang is the right choice on days when a whole chicken feels like too much. Only the portion is smaller — the broth tastes exactly the same as masamgyetang. It can only be ordered until 3pm, so if you're planning a late lunch, check ahead of time. I got there around 2:30pm and was able to order it.

What side dishes come with the samgyetang?

The basic side dishes at Masamgyetang Bangbaeng Sageori Branch are five items: garlic, pickled radish, pickled cabbage, pickled hot peppers, and kimchi. It's a combination that pairs well with a light, clean-tasting Gangnam-style samgyetang. Nothing is too strongly flavored, so they're great to alternate with the soup, and a bite of kimchi in between refreshes your palate.

If the side dishes run out, you can help yourself at the self-serve bar. Seeing each side dish come out so neatly plated, you can tell they put real care into the ingredients.

When is the best time to visit Masamgyetang?

If you're looking for a Bangbaeng Sageori lunch spot, Masamgyetang seems like a choice you won't regret on days you want something easy on the stomach, or a day you want to recharge your body. It was easy to bring my parents to, and it's a menu you can order comfortably even with someone who's picky about food.

If you're looking for a Gangnam samgyetang place for a Bangbaeng Sageori lunch, give this one a try. Seats fill up fast during the lunch peak. If you're coming with a group, it's easier to book ahead, and remember they're closed on Saturdays, so check before you visit.