Dakgomtang Korean Chicken Soup (Printable)

Comforting Korean soup with tender chicken, aromatic garlic, and green onions in a clear broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 1 whole chicken (about 3–3.5 lbs), cleaned and giblets removed

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 medium onion, peeled and halved
03 - 10 cloves garlic, peeled
04 - 6 green onions, 2 whole and 4 finely sliced
05 - 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
06 - 1 small daikon radish (optional), cut into large chunks

→ Seasoning

07 - 2 tsp sea salt, divided (plus more to taste)
08 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish & Dipping Sauce

09 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
10 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 1 tsp sesame oil
12 - 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
13 - 1 green onion, finely sliced
14 - Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold water. Place in a large pot and cover with 12 cups cold water.
02 - Add the onion, garlic cloves, ginger, 2 whole green onions, and daikon radish (if using). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface.
03 - Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 1 hour until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
04 - Carefully remove the chicken and set aside to cool slightly. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve, discard solids, and return clear broth to the pot.
05 - Shred the chicken meat into bite-sized pieces, discarding skin and bones. Return shredded chicken to the broth. Season with 1–1½ tsp salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
06 - Simmer gently for another 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
07 - In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, green onion, and chili flakes. Mix well.
08 - Serve hot soup in bowls, topped with sliced green onion. Offer dipping sauce on the side for dipping the chicken.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The broth develops incredible depth from just a handful of simple ingredients
  • Its gentle on the stomach while still being deeply satisfying
  • The dipping sauce transforms every bite into something exciting
02 -
  • Starting with cold water instead of hot makes a noticeable difference in how much flavor you extract from the chicken
  • Skimming the foam might feel tedious but it creates a crystal clear broth that looks restaurant quality
  • The soup tastes even better the next day, so don't worry about making a big batch
03 -
  • Keep some shredded chicken in the fridge for quick additions to the soup throughout the week
  • The dipping sauce doubles as a marinade for grilled chicken or roasted vegetables

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