Family meal with kids at Dream Samgyetang near Dongtan Station

On a weekday, I wanted to take the kids and my husband out for a family meal, so we headed to Dream Samgyetang, known as one of Dongtan's go-to samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) spots.

Lately even a little fatigue from the weather leaves the whole family feeling drained, so we decided on samgyetang to eat well and get some energy back.

What I liked most was that there was a menu item the kids could eat too. The kids really dug into the abalone chicken porridge they ordered, so I was glad we picked this place for our family outing.

Location and parking near Dongtan Station

Dream Samgyetang is near Dongtan Station, so it's easy to find.

Handy tip: you can use the building's basement parking, which made driving in with the whole family much less stressful. Parking always matters when you're moving around with kids, and since there was plenty of space, we walked in for our meal without any hassle.

Ambience and kid-friendly amenities

Walking in, the space felt clean and bright overall.

The tables had decent spacing, so it was comfortable sitting down with the kids, and there was a self-service corner with kids' tableware and small plates too.

Different orders for every family member

There were several types of samgyetang, so everyone ordered to their own taste.

I ordered the classic Dream Samgyetang, and my husband — who loves nutty flavors — picked the perilla samgyetang.

The kids ordered the abalone chicken porridge, easy on their stomachs.

The kids were already saying they were hungry before the food arrived, so we waited eagerly, and once the warm dishes started coming out one by one, the table filled up fast.

The broth of the classic Dream Samgyetang

I started with the Dream Samgyetang I ordered. It came out steaming hot in a stone pot, and just the sight of it was enough to make me feel full already.

What I loved most was the broth. It was rich without being too strong, and eating it with the chicken gave it a clean yet deep flavor.

I think broth is what makes or breaks a samgyetang, and the rich broth of the Dream Samgyetang I had that day really won me over.

The chicken was tender too, easy to pull apart and eat with the broth. After finishing the warm broth and chicken, I definitely felt like I'd had a solid meal. Visiting on a weekday for family dinner, I thought this dish would work well for both kids and adults alike.

My husband's choice: perilla samgyetang

My husband ordered the perilla samgyetang that day.

He usually loves the nutty flavor of dishes made with perilla, so he picked it the moment he saw it on the menu — and after tasting it, he said it was just as good as expected.

The distinctly nutty, smooth flavor of perilla added to the broth gave it a different feel from the regular samgyetang.

My husband said the broth's nuttiness made it especially delicious, and he finished it happily. Since the classic and perilla versions taste so different despite both being samgyetang, I'd like to try the perilla one myself next time.

Abalone chicken porridge the kids really loved

Honestly, when we go to samgyetang restaurants with the kids, I sometimes worry whether they'll actually eat. This time, there was no need to worry.

The abalone chicken porridge we ordered for the kids was a huge hit. The porridge was soft and nutty, easy for them to eat, and the warm, mild flavor kept their spoons moving.

Having abalone in it made it feel a bit more filling than a regular chicken porridge too. My kids ate almost the entire bowl of abalone chicken porridge that day, eating more than usual — and as a mom, that was the most satisfying part for me. When eating out with kids, taste matters, but whether they actually eat well matters just as much. In that sense, the abalone chicken porridge was a great choice for a family meal.

Side dishes

Alongside the samgyetang, we got side dishes like kimchi and diced radish kimchi (kkakdugi). Eating those between bites of the hot, clean-tasting samgyetang really refreshed the palate.

I think mild dishes like samgyetang pair especially well with side dishes like these. With the kids focused on their abalone chicken porridge, my husband on his perilla samgyetang, and me on my Dream Samgyetang, we each got to enjoy our own favorite dish as a family.

How was it as a family meal for nourishment?

We came here on a weekday wanting the whole family to eat well and feel full, and in the end, it was a satisfying meal. My Dream Samgyetang had a rich, delicious broth, and my husband's perilla samgyetang had a nutty flavor he loved.

But what I liked most was how well the kids ate the abalone chicken porridge. Samgyetang tends to be thought of as something adults seek out for nourishment, but having a dish the kids could enjoy too made this a solid choice for a family outing.

If you're in Dongtan wanting a warm, filling meal with the family, or craving something nourishing these days, Dream Samgyetang is worth checking out as a Dongtan samgyetang spot.

Quick summary

• Rich, filling broth in the classic Dream Samgyetang
• Nutty, satisfying perilla samgyetang
• Soft abalone chicken porridge the kids loved
• A menu lineup that works well for a family outing
• Easy access near Dongtan Station

Even though everyone in my family ordered something different that day, we all left satisfied. The kids especially loved the abalone chicken porridge, so if we come back, I'll order that for the kids again without a second thought.