Korean Dictionary
How to say "Soup/Stew (Tang)" in Korean
“Soup/Stew (Tang)” in Korean is 탕 (pronounced "tang").
탕
tang
Usage & Context
Tang refers to a category of Korean soups and stews that are usually rich and hearty. Examples include galbitang (rib soup), seolleongtang (ox bone soup), and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup).
Example Sentence
추운 겨울엔 뜨끈한 탕 한 그릇이 최고다.
A bowl of hot tang is the best on a cold winter day.
How to use 탕 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Soup/Stew (Tang)” is 탕, romanized as tang.
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 탕.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'tahng' — a single syllable. The 'ㅌ' is a strongly aspirated 't' (breathier than English 't'), and the 'ang' rhymes with 'song' but with an 'ah' vowel.
More Example Sentences
Describing holiday meals to a foreign friend.
갈비탕은 가족 모임 때 자주 먹어요.
We often eat galbitang at family gatherings.
A parent explaining summer traditions.
복날에는 삼계탕을 먹어야 제맛이죠.
On boknal, eating samgyetang is really the thing to do.
A food review on a blog.
이 식당 설렁탕 국물이 진하고 맛있어요.
This restaurant's seolleongtang broth is rich and delicious.
Cultural Context
탕 (from Chinese 湯) is distinct from 국 and 찌개 — 탕 generally implies a longer-simmered, hearty soup with meat or bones, often served as a full main dish rather than a side. It's the go-to category for 보양식 (restorative food) eaten on 복날 to beat summer heat or to recover from illness. Korean 탕집 often specialize in a single kind, like 감자탕 restaurants or 설렁탕 houses that run for generations.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 탕 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
탕 종류 뭐 있어요?
What kinds of tang do you have?
탕 국물이 시원해요.
The tang broth is refreshing.
따뜻한 탕 한 그릇이면 돼요.
A warm bowl of tang is all I need.
Related Expressions
국
guk
Soup (lighter, everyday)
찌개
jjigae
Stew (thicker, more seasoned)
보양식
boyangsik
Restorative/health food
갈비탕
galbitang
Beef rib soup
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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