Samgyetang in Singapore: Hit up these 12 restaurants for your next ginseng chicken soup fix
To eat is to nourish, and nothing does that better than a piping bowl of samgyetang, or traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup.
Don’t be misled by the word “soup” in this dish, though — it’s often an entire meal in itself! It contains a whole chicken (some versions use just half a chicken or a chicken leg) stuffed with glutinous rice, with nourishing additions such as ginseng, red dates, and garlic. All of this is then simmered for hours in a broth and the end product is usually served piping hot in a hot stone bowl.
Interestingly, though it’s a hot soup, samgyetang is generally eaten during sambok, Korea’s three hottest summer days. The Koreans believe that the hot nature of the soup counterintuitively helps to fight heat with heat (“yi yeol chi yeol”), helping to replenish nutrients that have been lost through sweat. Given that we have summer all year round in Singapore, this dish is perfect for us, too!
Curious where to get your next fix of samgyetang in Singapore? Here are 12 of our favourite spots.
1. Modu
Why visit? Translating to mean “everyone” in Korean, Modu aims to serve comforting, nourishing meals to all diners. Equal parts authentic and classy, the restaurant is decked out in traditional wooden furnishings and sunken seating.
Each bowl also comes thoughtfully composed, with a whole organic young chicken alongside ingredients such as ginseng, jujube red dates, ginger, and garlic — every ingredient is added for a reason and for a specific health benefit.
Crowd favourites: Be spoiled for choice with not one, but seven flavours of samgyetang, including a Beauty collagen samgyetang (S$37), which contains a mix of herbs that’s said to do wonders for your skin, and a Hangover samgyetang (S$37), which comes with a secret spicy sauce.
More interesting samgyetang picks include the black garlic samgyetang (S$38), which features black garlic hailing from Uiseong, South Korea’s largest garlic-producing region, and the perilla seed samgyetang (S$38), which has a nutty, earthy aroma, with a minty aftertaste.
We’ve got our eyes on the 2-gather set meal for two (S$98), which comes with two bowls of samgyetang, an appetiser, a shareable dish such as potato pancake or crispy chicken skin salad, and dessert.
2. Modu High
Why visit? Building on the success of Modu and the growing popularity of samgyetang in Singapore, the folks behind it went on to open Modu High, a more luxe version with an expanded menu of 13 samgyetang varieties — 10 regular and three premium.
The same theme of health and nourishment continues here, with ingredients such as cordyceps, goji, and botanical blends, used in its soups.
Crowd favourites: The black chicken and premium seafood samgyetang (S$58)is a popular pick, packed with seafood such as abalone and octopus. Male diners might also be drawn to the Yang Vitality samgyetang (S$52), containing yagwunmun, a Korean medicinal herb said to boost male vitality.
The spicy herbal samgyetang (S$38) adds a delightful kick to the classic rendition, while the scorched rice samgyetang (S$42) tempts with a smoky aroma. Whichever you pick, the unlimited herbal soup top-up is a nice bonus.
Swanky and elevated: here’s what we thought of the new Modu High concept.
3. Bomul
Why visit? Bomul dishes out comfort in the form of purely organic samgyetang, with an intentionally designed menu that champions nutrition and wellness. It practices “yaksik dongwon”, the belief that food and medicine share the same origins. This shines through in its collagen-rich bone broth, organic free-range chicken, and use of 18 premium herbs.
Its samgyetang range has names along the lines of “Healthy”, “energy”, and “restorative”, alongside a variety of samgyejuk (Korean ginseng chicken and rice porridge) and other sides.
Crowd favourites: Get a glow-up with the Rejuvenation (S$36) samgyetang, which comes with aged black garlic. The signature anti-ageing samgyetang (S$48), which boasts a very nourishing and robust mix of black chicken, octopus, and abalone, is best shared.
Another great sharing option is the haesintang samgyetang (S$89) for two, with original and spicy options. It comes with a herbal chicken broth packed with premium seafood. Plus, we’ve got our eyes on the value set for two (S$79), with a choice of two selected bowls of samgyetang or samgyejuk, a side dish, and beverages.
Round it all off with a yummy scoop from Bomul Gelato Bar, which occupies the restaurant’s outdoor waiting area. Flavours (S$7 per scoop) include the signature black sesame, ginseng, and the refreshing mulberry & bay leaf sorbet.
4. Sam Sam Sam
Why visit? Sam Sam Sam’s name is inspired by the number “three” in Korean. Its menu centres around three key ingredients — chicken, ginseng, and jujube — and its food is meant to be enjoyed across three generations.
In fact, it has a strong focus on wellness, encouraging diners to choose a samgyetang based on their body’s needs. There are five types of samgyetang on Sam Sam Sam’s menu, each formulated with a certain health benefit in mind.
Crowd favourites: The Vitality Tonic (S$29) samgyetang is a good introduction for first-timers to Sam Sam Sam, offering a general energy boost. Feeling a little under the weather? The Immunity Black (S$32) contains black garlic, an antioxidant, and is positioned as a restorative option. The Thermal Detox (S$30) delivers a warm dose of spice with each spoonful.
For sharing, the whole chicken pot with mushrooms (S$62) has a savoury broth with assorted mushrooms. The Together set for two (S$88) is another option, with the choice of two bowls of samgyetang or samgye kalguksu (Korean ginseng chicken noodle soup), a side dish, and a choice of Korean herbal tea or Korean ade (a type of sparkling beverage).
5. Jiho Samgyetang SBCD
Why visit? Jiho Samgyetang SBCD has a strong history that dates back to 1991. It has established quite a reputation in South Korea in the three decades it’s been around, with over 80 outlets around the country. Now, it has brought its samgyetang magic to Singapore with the help of the SBCD group (behind the popular SBCD Korean Tofu House), with this outlet being the first in Southeast Asia.
You know you’re getting the best of the best here — the team also spent eight months scouring Malaysian farms to find the right chicken for its samgyetang bowls in Singapore.
Crowd favourites: The Healthy samgyetang (S$29.80) and the Beauty samgyetang (S$29.80) e among the popular picks, with the former offering an energy boost and the latter aimed at supporting smooth, elastic skin. Another crowd favourite is the mung bean samgyetang (S$32.80), which brings a sweet, earthy flavour that complements the savoury broth.
For something a little more indulgent, the Cheonma duck health soup (S$119.80) comes with a whole duck in herbal soup, served with porridge — just remember to make an advance reservation if you have your mind set on this menu item.
We’ve tried it all at Jiho Samgtetang SBCD — read our review here.
6. Kimpson’s Table
Why visit? Kimpson’s Table’s backstory is a heartwarming one. Originating as a home-based concept selling Korean meal kits, Kimpson’s Table is the brainchild of Korean native Patrick Kim who had amassed a decade of culinary experience working in Korean restaurants here. Dining at Kimpson’s Table feels like a meal at a good friend’s house, with scrumptious fare and good conversation at its very heart.
Its menu is peppered with classic Korean dishes, with samgyetang as its signature dish, alongside chicken kalguksu (Korean knife-cut noodles). You’ll also find freshly fried pancakes, boneless fried chicken, and Hansang set meals here.
Crowd favourites: The signature samgyetang (S$18) comes with half a fresh French chicken. The meat is fall-off-the-bone tender after being simmered in a rich broth for five hours with red dates, garlic, and ginseng. This version is a popular choice for those who prefer a lighter meal than a whole chicken — and at less than twenty bucks for a bowl, it’s more affordable, too.
Round off the meal with a cheese potato pancake (S$14) or fried pork dumplings (S$10 for six pieces).
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7. Omma Chicken Soup
Why visit? If you’re on the lookout for affordable samgyetang in Singapore, you’re in luck. Omma Chicken Soup offers samgyetang for under S$10 a bowl, making it one of the more affordable options around. Helmed by the team behind the Cha Mulan, a TCM-inspired bubble tea, the owners strive to keep things simple — and you know they’re doing things right when three outlets open in just a year!
Each bowl comes with a big and juicy chicken leg, in a broth simmered for eight hours with ingredients such as goji berries and dang shen (said to be a gentler alternative to ginseng). Unlike the usual rendition, there isn’t any glutinous rice inside the chicken, making for a lighter meal.
Crowd favourites: The signature ginseng Omma (S$7.80) is a popular pick for its satisfying herbal punch, while the collagen Omma (S$6.80) also comes in a spicy version. Condiments include a dipping sauce, as well as salt and pepper.
We especially like the option to add on mee sua (S$0.70), which soaks up the broth nicely. It is also something you won’t be able to find at other samgyetang joints!.
Omma Chicken Soup’s outlet at Northpoint City has some exclusive dishes — here’s what they are.
8. Song Gye Ok
Why visit? Song Gye Ok may be known for its grilled chicken, but it also offers four samgyetang flavours from Modu as part of a special collaboration — one of the flavours is an exclusive one that’s only available at Song Gye Ok, too!
Having samgyetang here also means that you’ll be able to order additional K-BBQ dishes, albeit only chicken parts — a plus if you’re looking for something different among the sea of beef- and pork-focused K-BBQ joints. Your meats here are also grilled at the table by staff, so all you need to do is order, sit back, relax, and dig in.
Crowd favourites: The exclusive truffle samgyetang (from S$34) is delightfully aromatic, with strong truffle notes coming through with each spoonful. The meat falls easily off the bone and is stuffed with sticky glutinous rice. The broth does tend to thicken over time as the rice combines with it, gradually turning into a porridge-like consistency.
Other types of samgyetang that are also popular options at other Modu outlets and available here are the Hangover (from S$30), perilla seed (from S$30), and collagen herbal (from S$30) or hanbang (from S$35) samgyetang, depending on whether you’re at the Telok Ayer outlet or the Centrepoint one.
While at the Centrepoint outlet, the outlet-exclusive dakdoritang (from S$58) — with tender chicken in fiery stew — might be worth a try, especially since it’s only available in limited quantities during dinnertime.
We tried Song Gye Ok Centrepoint for ourselves, and can’t wait to go back!
9. Namu Bulgogi
Why visit? Namu Bulgogi is said to have the largest line-up of halal samgyetang in Singapore, with nine flavours, no less! Even better, each of its bowls is priced under S$30, and within, you’ll find a half-chicken steeped in a broth that has been simmered for 12 whole hours.
Besides samgyetang, Namu Bulgogi also serves tongdak-gui — a whole oakwood-roasted chicken, with six different flavour bases — that might interest you if a bowl of samgyetang isn’t enough.
Crowd favourites: A popular pick is the signature wild mushroom samgyetang (S$27.90), which features a medley of shiitake, enoki, and shimeji mushrooms — this is rich in antioxidants, which is also indicated on Namu Bulgogi’s menu to make it easier for you to choose a suitable soup. The spicy pollack samgyetang (S$29.90), which uniquely infuses pollack into a spicy broth,.is another winner.
The black sesame chestnut samgyetang (S$27.90) is another standout, with creamy roasted black sesame paste and a robust nutty aroma that will make you want to wipe the bowl clean. Plus, it gives diners a much-needed energy boost.
10. Korea Culture
Why visit? Korea Culture is a fun and quirky cinema-themed restaurant, complete with movie-inspired decor that rotates on a regular basis. Its menu features a “samgyetang royal rumble”, featuring a wrestling-inspired face-off of eight different types of Korean ginseng chicken soup.
Created by the same team behind Penang Culture and Taiwan Culture, the restaurant’s crowning glory is its semi-buffet concept, where every order comes with access to a buffet of more than 50 rotating banchan (Korean side dishes).
It has also employed a system where diners vote for their favourite side dishes, much like voting for their favourite K-pop idols, which contributes towards which ones stay and which get rotated out. How cute is that?
Crowd favourites: Even before you dive into a bowl of samgyetang, you’ll notice that unlike many of the other samgyetang spots on the list, Korea Culture’s samgyetang lists upfront that its portions are good for two diners, making it a value-for-money option. Unique flavours here include the Korean rose samgyetang (S$50.80), which has a velvety mouthfeel, with tangy tomatoes cutting through the cream.
For a local spin, try the salted egg samgyetang (S$50.80), chilli crab samgyetang (S$50.80), or the chik kut teh samgyetang (S$49.80), which is a riff of the local bak kut teh dish.
11. Hankang Pocha
Why visit? Be transported to the streets of Korea at Hankang Pocha, where good and affordable local eats are the name of the game. Modelled after Korea’s food tents (called “pocha”), the chain aims to offer fuss-free dining at low prices — and without GST to sweeten the deal — so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Hankang Pocha’s ginseng chicken soup is one of the more affordable samgyetang options on our list, at just S$16.80.
It has multiple outlets in Singapore, and its outlet at City Square Mall even has a Korean supermarket with a whole wall of instant ramen!
Though the prices are lower here, it doesn’t mean that the variety is compromised — we spotted an angus beef sotbap (rice cooked in a stone pot) for just S$18.80!
Crowd favourites: Its best-selling ginseng chicken soup (S$16.80) is simmered for more than 10 hours, creating a light and clean broth with Korean ginseng and red dates. We especially like how clean and light the broth is.
Other must-tries include the creamy Jeju abalone congee (S$22.80), topped with slices of chewy abalone; as well as the jajangmyeon (noodles served with black bean sauce, S$12.80). The latter comes with springy noodles slathered in a savoury sauce, with slices of cucumber to balance the umami notes.
After more bargains? Try this Korean joint opened by a Culinary Class Wars chef.
12. Kimchi Mama
Why visit? Following the success of its first Bugis outlet, Kimchi Mama has opened its second outlet at Changi Airport to much fanfare. The new outlet also debuted a new samgyetang series, which has five samgyetang flavours — all the samgyetang options are available in limited quantities each day, so that’s worth noting if you want to head here.
The brand, which first opened in mid-2025, prides itself on serving “hearty Korean food” — the owner puts her own unique twist and flavour to classic Korean recipes, and reinvents them, much to the delight of its diners.
Crowd favourites: The crown jewel at Kimchi Mama is the tangerine samgyetang (S$15.90), which infuses a citrusy blend into the usual savoury broth. The dried tangerine peel adds a tangy flavour that lifts the dish, offering a refreshing balance. Alternatively, the black sesame samgyetang (S$15.90), which is both velvety and aromatic, with a nutty fragrance, is also another bestseller.
Looking for more to add to the table? We love a good army stew and Kimchi Mama’s signature Kimchi Mama stew pot (S$25.90) with a choice of beef or spicy chicken hits the spot. It also has a whole line-up of hotstone rice dishes (eight different options!), with the hot stone kimchi beef steak rice (S$14.90) reigning supreme.
For more place for Korean food around Singapore, check out the all-new Dolpan Hwajoo from Busan for some unique ube makgeolli and hearty hot-stone sharing plates, or Noci Bakehouse’s second outlet at Orchard Gateway.
E-lyn gets happy easily: All she needs is some sashimi, fresh oysters, and wine thrown into the mix.
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