Korean Dictionary
How to say "Samgyetang" in Korean
“Samgyetang” in Korean is 삼계탕 (pronounced "samgyetang").
삼계탕
samgyetang
Usage & Context
Samgyetang is a Korean chicken ginseng soup made by stuffing a whole young chicken with glutinous rice, garlic, and ginseng. It is traditionally eaten on the hottest summer days to restore energy.
Example Sentence
복날에는 삼계탕을 먹어 더위를 이긴다.
On the hottest summer days, Koreans eat samgyetang to overcome the heat.
How to use 삼계탕 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Samgyetang” is 삼계탕, romanized as samgyetang.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 삼계탕.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'sahm-gyeh-tahng' — 삼 'sahm', 계 'gyeh' (soft 'g' + 'yay'), 탕 'tahng'. Literally 'three-chicken soup', from ginseng + chicken + soup.
More Example Sentences
A family meal during summer vacation.
할머니가 삼계탕을 정성스럽게 끓여주셨어요.
Grandma made samgyetang for me with care.
Advising a tourist in Seoul.
명동 삼계탕 맛집은 항상 줄이 길어요.
The famous samgyetang spots in Myeongdong always have long lines.
A grandparent extolling its virtues.
삼계탕 한 그릇이면 여름 더위도 거뜬해요.
With a bowl of samgyetang, summer heat is no problem.
Cultural Context
Koreans eat 삼계탕 on the three hottest days of summer — 초복, 중복, and 말복 — believing that hot, nourishing food defeats heat with heat (이열치열). A whole young chicken is stuffed with 찹쌀 (glutinous rice), 인삼 (ginseng), and 대추 (jujube), then simmered for hours. Restaurants like 토속촌 in Seoul become pilgrimage sites on 복날, with wait times stretching beyond an hour, and foreign dignitaries are often treated to 삼계탕 as a showcase Korean dish.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 삼계탕 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
삼계탕 한 그릇 주세요.
One samgyetang, please.
삼계탕은 여름에 최고예요.
Samgyetang is the best in summer.
복날이라 삼계탕 먹을 거예요.
It's boknal, so I'm going to have samgyetang.
Related Expressions
복날
boknal
The three hottest days of summer when samgyetang is eaten
인삼
insam
Ginseng
보양식
boyangsik
Restorative health food
이열치열
iyeolchiyeol
Fighting heat with heat (idiom)
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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