National Intangible Cultural Heritage: Samgyetang
As one of the Korean traditional foods popular for good health, longevity and recuperation, samgyetang (stewed chicken with insam) is part of the heritage showing the excellent national food culture and various cooking techniques.
Historical documents show the fact that Korean people had raised many chickens since ancient times and used them a lot for their diets.
They read that eggs and chicken dishes were indispensable daily foods, especially on birthdays, weddings, memorial services and holidays. Chicken was a popular food that was served to those in sickbed and with debility or to honored guests.
Samgyetang is a stewed chicken with insam and chestnuts, dates, gingko nuts and garlic, etc.
As one of the nutritious foods in the heat of midsummer, samgyetang made with Kaesong Koryo-insam was also famous.
Insam picked 5 to 6 days before is the best as an ingredient for samgyetang.
And it has a custom of using young black chicken weighing about 500g.
Samgyetang is the best tonic with a delicate flavor and high nutrition just like thick broth of chicken.
As it contains the peculiar flavor of a traditional dish and delicacy of various diets, its excellent custom and tradition are being maintained and developed.
