Nourishing Abalone Samgyetang: A Hearty Korean Chicken Soup
A Comforting Abalone Samgyetang Recipe for Your Family
To welcome my parents, I prepared a special nourishing meal: Abalone Samgyetang! This recipe brings together the goodness of chicken soup with the luxurious addition of fresh abalone and healthful medicinal herbs, creating a deeply flavorful and restorative dish.
Main Ingredients- 3 whole young chickens (or Korean native chickens), cleaned
- Generous amount of fresh abalone (6-10 pieces, depending on size)
- 3-4 fresh ginseng roots, thoroughly washed
- 1 handful of dried Astragalus root (Huang Qi)
- 5-6 dried red dates
- 10-15 whole garlic cloves
- 1 packet of medicinal herbs (e.g., Ficus superba, Acanthopanax sieboldianus)
- 1 stalk of white leek (white part mainly)
Seasoning- Salt (e.g., Korean sea salt) to taste
- A pinch of black pepper
- Salt (e.g., Korean sea salt) to taste
- A pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the chicken. Carefully trim any excess fat from the neck and the cavity near the tail. Thoroughly wash the inside and outside of the chicken, ensuring all impurities are removed, especially from the wing joints and body cavity.
Step 2
Prepare the other ingredients. Scrub the ginseng roots meticulously to remove all soil. Lightly rinse the dried astragalus root and red dates under running water. If your abalone isn’t pre-cleaned, use a brush to scrub the shell and the area between the shell and the meat. Remove the abalone’s ‘beak’ if necessary. Prepare the abalone just before cooking to ensure freshness.
Step 3
To achieve a clearer and cleaner broth, parboil the chicken. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the cleaned chicken, and simmer for about 1-2 minutes. Immediately remove the chicken and rinse it under cold running water to wash away any remaining impurities and surface fat. This step helps reduce any gamey smell. Place the parboiled chicken in a large pot and cover it generously with fresh water.
Step 4
Now, add the ingredients to create the rich broth. Once the water with the chicken comes to a boil, add the medicinal herb packet, the washed ginseng, astragalus root, red dates, and whole garlic cloves to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 40 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and the broth has developed a rich flavor.
Step 5
Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the broth has turned a milky white color, it’s almost ready. Carefully add the fresh abalone to the pot. Be careful not to overcook the abalone, as it can become tough. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, just until the abalone is cooked through. This final step will further enhance the soup’s depth of flavor.
Step 6
Ladle the piping hot Abalone Samgyetang into large serving bowls. Artfully arrange the tender chicken, cooked garlic cloves, sweet red dates, and the succulent abalone on top. This hearty and nourishing soup is best enjoyed immediately. Serve with salt and pepper on the side for individual seasoning, allowing each person to adjust the taste to their preference. A small dish of salt for dipping the chicken is also recommended.
