JIHO Samgyetang SBCD Review: The Korean Comfort Food Experience We Didn't Know We Were Missing

When people think of Korean food, dishes like Korean barbecue, kimchi stew and fried chicken usually come to mind first.

Samgyetang, on the other hand, is one of those dishes that many people have heard of but never really explored beyond the occasional simplified version.

That was certainly the case for my husband.

During our recent visit to JIHO Samgyetang SBCD at 18 Cross, it was his first time trying traditional samgyetang prepared the way it is commonly enjoyed in Korea. What started as a simple dinner quickly turned into an appreciation of why this seemingly humble chicken soup has remained a beloved Korean comfort food for generations.

Discovering the Beauty of Traditional Samgyetang

For those unfamiliar with samgyetang, it is a Korean ginseng chicken soup traditionally made by stuffing a young chicken with glutinous rice before slowly simmering it in a flavourful broth.

While we knew rice was often part of the dish, neither of us expected to find the chicken filled with so much fragrant glutinous rice.

As we opened up the chicken, the rice emerged soft, flavourful and completely infused with the essence of the broth.

“Wow! There’s rice inside!,” my husband remarked, surprised by it as this is his first real traditional Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup experience. He loved it and commented how it feels a bit like eating porridge.

In many ways, he wasn’t wrong. The rice absorbs the flavours of the soup throughout the cooking process, creating a comforting, hearty meal that feels far more substantial than a typical bowl of chicken soup.

Beauty Samgyetang vs Perilla Samgyetang

For our meal, we decided to try two different versions of JIHO’s signature dish.

The Beauty Samgyetang was the lighter of the two. The broth was clean, nourishing and easy to drink, making it an excellent option for those seeking a comforting meal without feeling overly heavy.

The Perilla Samgyetang offered a very different experience altogether.

Made with finely ground Korean perilla seeds, the soup had a noticeably thicker texture and a rich, nutty flavour that lingered pleasantly with every spoonful. It was also significantly more filling than we expected.

While both were delicious, the Perilla Samgyetang stood out for its depth of flavour and unique character.

If you enjoy nutty flavours and richer broths, this would be our recommendation.

The Unexpected Star: Squid & Minari Salad

As much as we enjoyed the samgyetang, the biggest surprise of the meal wasn’t the soup.

It was the Squid & Minari Salad.

The combination immediately reminded us of Korean squid kimchi, one of my husband’s favourite Korean side dishes. The squid was tender while the seasoning delivered just enough spice and tang to keep us reaching for more.

The restaurant recommends enjoying the salad wrapped with avocado and seaweed, and we can see why.

The creamy avocado, savoury seaweed and spicy squid created a completely different flavour profile from the rich samgyetang, making it an excellent palate refresher between bites.

If you’re dining here, this is one dish we would strongly recommend ordering alongside your soup.

A Hit With The Little One Too

Dining out with a toddler can sometimes be unpredictable.

Thankfully, our daughter found plenty to enjoy.

The Soy Sauce Chicken Wings were an instant favourite, thanks to their sweet and savoury glaze.

However, the biggest winner was actually the seaweed served with the Squid & Minari Salad.

She enjoyed it so much that we ended up ordering an additional serving of seaweed purely for her.

As parents, we always appreciate restaurants where both adults and children can find something they enjoy, and JIHO Samgyetang SBCD certainly delivered on that front.

Fried Chicken Gizzards: Worth Trying Once

On the manager’s recommendation, we also ordered the Fried Chicken Gizzards.

The dish was well executed, with a satisfyingly crisp exterior and good seasoning.

That said, while we enjoyed it, it wasn’t particularly memorable compared to the other dishes we tried.

At $19.80++, it isn’t something we would personally reorder on our next visit, especially when there are stronger standouts on the menu.

Would We Return?

Absolutely.

While the samgyetang itself was excellent, what impressed us most was how the entire meal came together.

The comforting soups, flavour-packed salad and family-friendly options created a dining experience that felt both satisfying and approachable.

For first-timers, we’d recommend ordering:

Perilla Samgyetang
Beauty Samgyetang
Squid & Minari Salad
Soy Sauce Chicken Wings

Together, they offer a well-rounded introduction to what JIHO Samgyetang SBCD does best.