There is something comforting about a steaming bowl of soup. And lately, Singapore has fallen head over heels for a very specific variety: Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup, or Samgyetang.
Traditionally enjoyed in Korea during the sweltering summer to replenish lost energy, this “boyang-shik” (restorative food) has found a natural second home in our humid climate.
As diners move towards “food as medicine,” the combination of a whole young chicken slow-simmered with ginseng, jujube, and glutinous rice offers a nutritious alternative to heavier comfort foods.
Whether you are looking for a luxurious hanok-style dining experience or a quick, affordable bowl in a hawker centre, the Samgyetang scene in Singapore is currently peaking.
Here are some Korean Chicken Soup specialty restaurants you can find in Singapore: (Some restaurants include the soup as part of their larger menu, which I may include in a future update.)
BOMUL Samgyetang
Chijmes #01-11/12, 30 Victoria Street, Singapore 187996
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
While most places offer a single classic version, BOMUL Samgyetang at CHIJMES offers ten distinct variations.
All ten soups use organic spring chicken from a local Singapore farm. The birds are raised cage-free, resulting in tender meat and a cleaner broth.
Highlights include the Collagen ($29), Black Truffle ($38), and the Anti-Ageing ($79 for 2 pax) which comes with premium ginseng, octopus, and abalone.
My personal recommendation is the Rejuvenation Samgyetang ($36). The black garlic creates a rounded depth that balances the herbal notes of the ginseng.
The broth is thicker than the classic version and incredibly flavourful. If you prefer something nuttier, the Energy Samgyetang ($36) uses Korean perilla for a savoury, comforting finish.
Read more at: BOMUL Samgyetang (CHIJMES)
MODU Samgyetang Specialty Korean Restaurant
Mandarin Gallery #02-37, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897 (Near Orchard MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Located at Mandarin Gallery, MODU earned its reputation as Singapore’s first premium eatery dedicated entirely to samgyetang.
The restaurant uses organic chickens and premium Korean herbs, simmering each bowl until the broth is silky and slightly milky.
The menu features six variations, including Collagen Herbal, Black Sesame, and Perilla Seed, with prices starting from $35.
If you want to experience the brand’s most ambitious concept yet, head over to their second outlet, MODU High at Amoy Street.
This elevated version features a much larger 100-seat space and an expanded menu of 12 different samgyetang variations.
New additions include the Yang Vitality ($52) with energy-boosting herbs and the luxurious Chicken & Premium Seafood ($74) featuring octopus and abalone.
Read more at: MODU Samgyetang Specialty Korean Restaurant (Mandarin Gallery)
JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang SBCD
18 Cross #B1-01, 18 Cross Street, Singapore 048423 (Telok Ayer or Chinatown MRT)
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 10pm (Sat – Sun)
JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang SBCD has opened at 18 Cross Street, adding another dedicated Samgyetang restaurant to Singapore’s growing Korean ginseng chicken soup scene.
Founded in Korea in 1991, JIHO has grown into a specialist with more than 80 outlets across Korea and overseas, and the Singapore outlet is brought in by SBCD F&B Group.
Its menu focuses on hanbang-style samgyetang, with options such as Healthy Samgyetang ($29.80), Beauty Samgyetang ($29.80), Spicy Samgyetang ($32.80), Perilla Samgyetang ($32.80), Mung Bean Samgyetang ($32.80) and Black Garlic Samgyetang ($32.80).
I tried the Healthy Samgyetang ($29.80), which came with a whole young chicken in a pale, cloudy broth, with glutinous rice tucked inside.
The soup was gentler and less strongly herbal than expected, which may suit first-timers who prefer something clean and soothing rather than intensely ginseng-heavy. The chicken was tender enough to pull apart easily.
SAM SAM SAM 삼삼삼 Samgyetang
Velocity@Novena Square #02-46, 238 Thomson Road, Singapore 307683
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Mon – Sun)
SAM SAM SAM Samgyetang has opened at Velocity@Novena Square, adding to Singapore’s growing list of Korean ginseng chicken soup restaurants.
The concept comes from the team behind MODU Samgyetang, with a no pork, no beef and no lard menu, and a retro Korean apothecary-inspired space that makes the mall restaurant feel more distinctive.
The menu centres on Samgyetang Ginseng Chicken Soup Sets, with options such as Vitality Tonic, Circulation Elixir, Thermal Detox, Nourishing Perilla and Immunity Black.
The Immunity Black ($28) had a darker, earthier broth with a mellow black garlic fragrance, though lighter than expected, while the Spicy Jang Kalguksu had more punch with hand-pulled noodles, chicken, tofu and vegetables.
Soup refills are a plus, especially for diners who enjoy slowly sipping through a warm Korean soup meal.
Read more at: SAM SAM SAM Samgyetang (Novena Square)
Kimpson’s Table
Far East Square #01-01, 134 Amoy Street, Singapore 049963
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 9pm (Mon – Fri), 12pm – 7pm (Sat), Closed Sun
Kimpson’s Table at Far East Square is a Korean restaurant by Chef Patrick Kim, who started the name as a home-based delivery business before opening this permanent space.
The menu focuses on home-style Korean food such as Samgyetang ($18), Chicken Kalguksu ($15), Chicken Bibim Kalguksu ($15) and Hansang set meals, with most signatures kept below $20.
I found the cooking noticeably lighter in flavour, particularly the Samgyetang broth and Beef Bulgogi Hansang ($17), which may suit diners who prefer gentler seasoning.
Those looking for something richer can also add sharing dishes such as Kimchi Pancake, Cheese Potato Pancake and Korean fried chicken.
OMMA Chicken Soup
Alexandra Village Food Centre #01-23, 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 150120
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm or till sold out (Mon – Sun)
OMMA Chicken Soup
216 Bedok Hawker Centre #01-58, 216 Bedok North Street 1, Singapore 460216
Opening Hours: 9.30am – 2pm (Tue – Thurs), 9.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 8pm (Fri – Sun) or till sold out, Closed Mon
If the restaurant prices are a bit steep, OMMA Chicken Soup offers a budget-friendly alternative.
With stalls at both Bedok and Alexandra Village Food Centre (and more coming soon), they serve bowls that sit comfortably below the $10 mark.
The recipes are reportedly crafted by two chefs from a one-star Michelin Korean restaurant. They slow-simmer their broth for eight hours without MSG, pork, or lard.
Because each stone bowl is heated individually, expect a bit of a wait even if the queue looks short.
The Ginseng Omma ($7.80) is the signature. While the broth is lighter and less “gao-gao” than its restaurant counterparts, it is clean with a natural sweetness and a subtle herbal aroma.
The chicken leg is surprisingly tender, falling off the bone with minimal effort.
Read more at: OMMA Chicken Soup (Alexandra Village Hawker Centre)
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