Greetings from AREX. :)
In Korea, there are three dog
days that are collectively called
“sambok (Chobok,
Jungbok, and Malbok).”
Regarded as the hottest days
of the year,
sambok allows people to predict and
get a sense of what the weather will be like,
and these three dog days fall
between July and August in 2019.
In Korea, we say,
“Iyeolchiyeol,” which means to fight fire with fire.
This is the strategy that
many Koreans use to beat the heat,
and an example would be to
eat hot (“temperature hot”) food
or to go to a hot place to
sweat it out!
On Chobok, which is the first
of the three dog days,
we paid a visit to Tosokchon,
a restaurant that offers
samgyetang (ginseng chicken
soup) for people to fight fire with fire!
The entrance can be seen
past the stone wall along the alley,
and the barbecued chickens
next to it will definitely grab your attention.
What’s notable is that
Tosokchon has been in
business for more than 36 years.
Now that’s a long time!
Aren’t you curious as to how
samgyetang tastes
at this restaurant featuring
Korea’s traditional architectural style?
Once you step inside, there
is a tree that will catch your eye,
and right next to it is
insamju (ginseng liquor).
Perhaps, you could buy insamju
as a souvenir or a gift for someone back home. :)
The interior exhibiting the
elements of traditional architecture and décor
will make you feel as though
you are inside an old hanok (traditional Korean house),
rather than a restaurant.
Past the long corridor,
you will reach a placewhere
you can finally taste samgyetang,
a stamina-boosting dish
that’s eaten on the dog days.
This restaurant is usually
packed with customers.
In line with the
“traditional” look, you will have to sit on the floor to eat,
as there are no
Western-style tables around.
This will make it an all the
more interesting experience for foreign tourists. :)
There are ten main dishes
featured on the menu.
In the case of samgyetang, Tosokchon
offers 4 to 6 different kinds,
so you will have no trouble
finding something that suits your preferences.
and customers who are of
legal drinking age are provided some warm insamju.
in admiration of the
architecture and interior design,
and the samgyetang you’ve
ordered will be served in no time.
Nuts are added to make it
extra savory,
and the owner here insist on
using
high-quality ingredients
that are -- most often than not -- produced in Korea.
So you are guaranteed to
enjoy higher quality and rich flavors here than anywhere else.
This is probably why
Tosokchon is always crowded with customers.
Directions: Seoul Station
(AREX) – Transfer at Gongdeok Station – Transfer at Jongno 3-ga Station –
Get off at Gyeongbukgung Station – Walk 6 minutes from Exit #2
Get off at Gyeongbukgung Station – Walk 6 minutes from Exit #2
What do you think of
Tosokchon?
Don’t you want to boost your
energy and strength with some samgyetang there?
I’ll be back next time to
take you on another delicious food journey.
Get more details about AREX from the AREX homepage.
(https://www.arex.or.kr)
Great travels brought to you by AREX.
