Dak Gomtang (Korean Chicken Soup) is a comforting and simple dish made with a whole chicken and aromatic vegetables. This delicious soup is typically served with rice or noodles, topped with shredded chicken and chopped green onions. It’s perfect for colder weather or when you need a hearty, soul-soothing meal. The easy-to-make recipe requires minimal ingredients yet delivers a flavorful broth that is rich and satisfying.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Chicken Soup:

  • 1 whole chicken (about 1 kg), trimmed of excess fat

  • 1 medium onion, sliced in half

  • 12 garlic cloves, peeled

  • 1 green onion, sliced in half

  • 8 black peppercorns

  • 4 liters of water (or enough to cover the chicken)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Chopped green onions for garnish

• Optional Knife-Cut Noodles (Kalguksu):

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 3 tbsp potato starch

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 8 tbsp water

Directions

1. Make the Chicken Soup:

   • Add the whole chicken, onion, garlic, green onion, and peppercorns into a pot. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the chicken. Boil for 25 minutes on medium heat, covered.

   • Remove the chicken, let it cool, and then shred the meat from the bones.

   • Return the bones to the pot and boil for another 30 minutes to intensify the broth’s flavor.

   • Strain the broth, removing the fat. You can either spoon off the fat or refrigerate the broth to solidify the fat for easy removal.

   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2. Prepare the Knife-Cut Noodles (Optional):

   • Mix the flour, potato starch, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water and mix until the dough forms. Knead for 10–15 minutes until smooth.

   • Let the dough rest, covered, for at least 1 hour.

   • Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 0.3 cm, then cut into 0.3 cm wide strips. Dust the noodles with flour to prevent sticking.

   • Add the noodles to the broth, boiling for 3-4 minutes until cooked. Add shredded chicken, season with salt and pepper, and garnish with green onions.

3. Serve:

   • Serve the Dak Gomtang hot with rice, noodles, or enjoy it on its own. Optionally, serve with a side of kimchi for extra flavor.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 475 kcal

• Protein: 30g

• Carbohydrates: 20g

• Fat: 25g

• Sodium: 600mg

The Essence of Dak Gomtang: A Simple Yet Flavorful Broth

At the heart of Dak Gomtang is the clear, flavorful broth that results from simmering a whole chicken along with vegetables and seasonings. The key to this dish lies in the simplicity of its ingredients. By using a whole chicken, the broth becomes rich and nourishing, infused with the flavors of the chicken, garlic, onions, and black peppercorns. The slow simmering process allows the ingredients to release their natural juices, creating a comforting and well-balanced soup.

What sets Dak Gomtang apart from other chicken soups is its clean, mild flavor profile. The broth is not overly seasoned but instead relies on the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables to provide depth. This makes Dak Gomtang a versatile dish, as it can be enjoyed on its own or paired with various sides such as rice, noodles, or kimchi for added texture and flavor.

Cooking the Perfect Broth: Key Steps in Making Dak Gomtang

To make Dak Gomtang, the process starts by simmering a whole chicken with aromatic ingredients such as onions, garlic, green onions, and peppercorns. The chicken is first boiled for 25 minutes on medium heat, which allows the meat to cook through and release its flavors into the broth. After removing the chicken, the bones are returned to the pot to continue boiling for another 30 minutes, intensifying the flavor of the broth. This second boil is crucial for achieving that deep, rich flavor that is characteristic of Dak Gomtang.

Once the broth is ready, it is strained to remove any impurities and excess fat. You can either spoon off the fat or refrigerate the broth so that the fat solidifies, making it easy to remove. This results in a clearer, cleaner broth that is the foundation of the dish.

Shredding the Chicken: Adding Tenderness and Flavor

After boiling, the chicken is removed from the pot and allowed to cool slightly. The meat is then shredded from the bones, and this tender chicken is added back into the broth, enhancing the overall texture and flavor. The shredded chicken provides a satisfying bite and is a central component of the dish. Its delicate flavor pairs perfectly with the clean, savory broth.

The addition of salt and pepper at the end helps to season the soup to taste, balancing the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables. The final result is a soothing, flavorful soup that feels like a warm embrace in a bowl.

Knife-Cut Noodles (Kalguksu): An Optional but Delicious Addition

While Dak Gomtang can be enjoyed with just the broth and shredded chicken, the addition of knife-cut noodles (Kalguksu) makes the dish even more comforting and filling. These hand-cut noodles are made from a simple dough of flour, potato starch, and water, which is rolled out and cut into thin strips. The noodles are added directly to the simmering broth, where they cook for just a few minutes until tender. The soft, chewy texture of the noodles complements the rich chicken broth perfectly.

Making Kalguksu from scratch is an enjoyable and rewarding process, but it can also be skipped if you’re short on time. Instead, you can serve Dak Gomtang with steamed rice or store-bought noodles, both of which are excellent choices for soaking up the flavorful broth.

Serving and Enjoying Dak Gomtang

Dak Gomtang is traditionally served hot, either with rice or noodles. For those who enjoy the full experience, the soup is served with shredded chicken floating in the broth, topped with freshly chopped green onions for a burst of freshness. The garnish of green onions adds a bright contrast to the richness of the broth, while also enhancing the overall flavor profile.

If you want to add an extra layer of flavor, consider serving Dak Gomtang with a side of kimchi. The spicy, tangy kick of kimchi pairs wonderfully with the mild soup, balancing out the richness and providing a delicious contrast in texture. Whether served with rice, noodles, or on its own, Dak Gomtang is a meal that is sure to warm both the body and the soul.

The Health Benefits of Dak Gomtang

One of the reasons Dak Gomtang is so beloved in Korean culture is its comforting and nourishing qualities. It’s often considered a restorative dish, especially for those who are feeling under the weather or in need of a hearty, healthy meal. The soup is naturally high in protein, thanks to the chicken, and it provides a good source of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables and seasonings. The slow simmering process ensures that the nutrients from the chicken and vegetables are fully extracted into the broth, making it not only flavorful but also beneficial for your health.

The dish is also relatively low in calories, making it a great option for those seeking a light yet satisfying meal. The simplicity of the ingredients allows you to control the seasoning and fat content, ensuring that the dish remains both wholesome and nourishing.

Conclusion: A Comforting and Versatile Korean Classic

Dak Gomtang is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create a deeply flavorful and comforting dish. With its rich, aromatic broth, tender chicken, and optional noodles, this Korean chicken soup is a versatile meal that can be enjoyed in many ways. Whether you serve it with rice, noodles, or on its own, Dak Gomtang is sure to satisfy your hunger and warm you from the inside out.

The beauty of Dak Gomtang lies in its simplicity—by focusing on the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables, the dish provides a nourishing experience without overwhelming the palate. Whether you’re looking for a quick, easy meal or something more elaborate with homemade noodles, Dak Gomtang is a dish that can be tailored to suit your preferences. So the next time you’re in need of a comforting, soul-soothing meal, look no further than this beloved Korean classic.