Description
Dak Gomtang is a traditional Korean chicken soup made by simmering a whole chicken with garlic, onion, ginger, and green onions until the broth turns milky and flavorful. Served hot, this comforting soup is perfect for cold weather or recovery, often enjoyed with rice or thin wheat noodles and garnished with green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 1 whole chicken (about 3 to 4 pounds)
- 12 cups water
- 6 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 small onion, peeled and halved
- 2 green onions (plus more for garnish)
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Korean sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Serving Accompaniments
- Cooked white rice
- Cooked somyeon (thin wheat noodles)
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the whole chicken thoroughly and remove any remaining innards to ensure a clean broth.
- Combine Ingredients in Pot: Place the cleaned chicken into a large pot and add the water, crushed garlic, halved onion, green onions, and sliced ginger.
- Boil and Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Skim Foam: As the soup simmers, skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface to keep the broth clear.
- Simmer Until Tender: Continue simmering for 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken is very tender and the broth has turned milky white.
- Remove Chicken and Strain Broth: Carefully take out the chicken and set it aside to cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine sieve, discarding the solids.
- Shred Chicken Meat: Discard the chicken skin and bones, then shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine and Season: Return the shredded chicken meat to the strained broth. Season with Korean sea salt and black pepper according to your taste preference.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into individual bowls, garnishing with chopped green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot, optionally over cooked white rice or somyeon noodles.
Notes
- Dak Gomtang is mild and nourishing; it pairs well with kimchi or a splash of soy sauce for added flavor.
- This soup is excellent for recovery during cold weather or after illness.
- For a richer flavor, refrigerate the broth overnight and skim off excess fat before reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Soup
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Korean
