This chicken and chicken soup called Yeonggye-baeksuk in Korean (영계백숙) is a simple, communal dish that’s delicious, filling, and easy to share with many people. It uses a young chicken between 3 and 4 pounds which is boiled and then served with a rice porridge made from the broth.

I remember my grandmother on my father’s side making yeonggye-baeksuk when I was young. She had dozens of chickens running and playing in her yard, and she would pick one out, kill it by twisting its neck with her bare hands, and then put it in hot water to remove all its feathers before cutting it open and removing all its guts. My grandmother was a tough woman! I felt sorry for the the chicken but I was excited to have chicken and chicken porridge for dinner. When the chicken was boiling with lots of garlic, the smell spread through her whole village! I use ginseng in this recipe to boost your energy and to remove the chicken’s gamey flavor, but if you don’t have it you can skip it, it’s not essential.

You might be wondering what’s the difference between this recipe and the classic Korean ginseng chicken soup called samgyetang. They are similar in some ways but samgyetang is made with small cornish hen, about 1 to 1½ pound chicken, and each diner gets a small hen in their bowl. The hen is usually stuffed with rice and jujubes and ginseng is not skippable in that recipe. It’s also served all at once in a bowl, where yeonggye-baeksuk is traditionally served in stages.

I made a video for yeonggye-baeksuk when I travelled to Costa Rica in 2010  (woohoo! Time flies!) but I figured it was time to update and refine this recipe with exact measurements and film a new HD video for it. In that video I focused on the chicken soup, which is called dakjuk in Korean, but really this dish is all about the chicken we eat and the soup.

By the way, whenever I remake a video for a recipe, you can always find the old video linked from the sidebar. I can’t get rid of those videos, they are my life’s work and precious to me! I had a great time in Costa Rica.

I hope you enjoy this recipe with your friends and family!

Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)

Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the onion mix dip:

For the salt dip:

Optional vegetables

  • 1 cucumber, cut into about 3 inch sticks
  • 4 to 5 crispy and mild green chili peppers
  • About ¼ cup ssamjang

Directions

Cook the chicken:

  1. Place the chicken in a large heavy pot. I use my 6½ quart heavy pot.
  2. Add garlic, ginseng, and 10 cups of water. Cover and cook for 20 minutes over medium high heat until vigorously boiling.Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)
  3. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook another 50 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. While it’s cooking you can make 2 kinds of dip.

Onion mix dip:

  1. Combine onion, green onion, green chili pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame seeds, sugar, and hot pepper flakes in a bowl.
  2. Mix it well with a spoon.
  3. Cover and refrigerate until ready for use.dip for chicken

Salt dip:

  1. Combine salt, ground black pepper, and sesame seeds in a small bowl.
  2. Mix evenly and set aside.salt for chicken and chicken soup

Take out the chicken and make soup:

  1. Transfer the chicken along with the ginseng to a large platter. Place it on the table and let it cool down.Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)
  2. Remove any floating fat with a large spoon and discard.Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)
  3. Drain the rice and add it to the broth. Stir it a few times with a ladle or a wooden spoon.Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)
  4. Cover and cook for 20 minutes over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is fully cooked and tender.

Serve the chicken first:

  1. While the chicken soup is boiling, serve the chicken with the 2 kinds of dip, kimchi, vegetables, and ssamjang. Prepare individual plates so that they can take some of the chicken and dip it. Be sure to eat the ginseng. Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)

Serve the soup:

  1. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped green onion. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with the chicken and side dishes already in progress.Chicken & Chicken Soup (Yeonggyebaeksuk: 영계백숙)

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94 Comments:

  1. rubi london joined 7/14 & has 1 comment

    This looks yummy but I was wondering if you would have a vegetarian version at all? I hope there is one around thank you😊

  2. Koffee London, ON joined 5/14 & has 2 comments

    I used your recipe and substituted turkey drumsticks in place of the chicken. I used 2 duck eggs instead of chicken eggs and it turned out great! The first day I made it, it had an overwhelming taste of garlic, but when i left it overnight in the fridge, the flavors blended so nicely and tasted even better! Can’t complain, garlic is so good for you! Instead of serving the meat separately from the porridge, I peeled pieces of the meat and returned it to the porridge. I found that if I left the turkey drumstick out, it would have dried out. Overall, this recipe was so easy to follow and so delicious! Must make! (^^ I’m making it for the 2nd time today, right at this moment!) Always have some ready in your fridge; convenience for satisfying your hunger. :)

  3. sjl2107 Upland, CA joined 11/13 & has 3 comments

    WOW, WOW, WOW! Excellent directions and very easy to make! I love porridge and this came out better than my moms…. thanks for sharing this with us. My husband and I had a wonderful dinner tonight!

  4. Bitha_bee Indonesia joined 2/14 & has 1 comment

    Hi Maangchi,

    I really love your site. I was looking for Korean recipe 3 years ago and fortunately I found your site. *glad. This is my first comment and I hope you’ll help me.

    My mom fell down at the bathroom a couple day ago and nobody help her when she is unconscious because nobody’s home that moment. She often fainted because she had low blood pressure, and we recently lost a family member also. She was exhausted due to set many things as the eldest. She refused when I asked her to go to hospital, and now she refuses to eat. I’m so afraid now. Maangchi can you recommends any recipe to me.

    Much love from Indonesia.

    • annabanana Vancouver, Canada joined 2/09 & has 68 comments

      Bitha,
      I’m sorry to hear about your mom. I have had low blood pressure in the past, too. For me, it was the result of avoiding any added salt in my diet for years. I have since found that adding natural sea salt to some of my foods has helped – the refined, table salt stuff people should avoid.
      Anna

  5. Coko Moko Florida joined 8/12 & has 3 comments

    I love your videos, they make me so happy!

  6. blasianbear Louisville, KY joined 4/13 & has 2 comments

    This porridge is excellent! Sundays are typically my day to stay home and try out new recipes or just cook and enjoy. I already tried a couple of your other recipes, and I had been eyeing this one for quite some time now. So, I made this yesterday, and it turned out wonderful! I was a little skeptical with all the garlic, but it really has a good flavor once you boil it with the chicken and rice. I smashed most of the cloves once I removed the chicken to cool, and they seemed to thicken the porridge a bit. I have shared this with friends, who also enjoyed it. Thanks again!

  7. Thevy France joined 9/12 & has 1 comment

    Hey! I’m trying your recipe and it smells and looks good! But i have put slices of ginger at the beginning then i took them out after 40min. Is it still good even if you didn’t put some in your video recipe?

    Greetings from France

  8. beautifullight41 United States joined 4/12 & has 2 comments

    You are sooo cute!!!! I was looking for a salmon jook recipe for my 7 month old baby, but this dakjuk looks soooo good! I love all jooks, but dakjuk is definitely one of my favorites!

  9. Morrigaine Virginia joined 4/12 & has 1 comment

    Hi Maangchi!

    I actually found out about you through browsing randomly on Youtube. Upon browsing your website I found myself longing for the Korean food that I used to get to eat as a kid. SO I DECIDED.

    I ran to the store and bought the ingredients for Dakjuk! Of all the foods I used to eat, this was my favorite “winter time” dish. It’s cooking right now too. :) But seeing as it’s only me at home right now, I am using chicken breasts instead of a full chicken. Haha.

    I can’t wait to eat it, it smells HEAVENLY.

  10. serenarose13 maine joined 3/12 & has 1 comment

    Made this tonight because its exams week! Love your recipes!

  11. Cooked this tonight for a husband who just had all his wisdom teeth taken out. It was delicious! Followed the recipe,except we used chicken parts, as there were only two of us. I’ve so far done this and mak kimchi, and plan to try out the other dishes – your recipes are very easy to follow. Thanks!

  12. Dwane Australia joined 7/11 & has 1 comment

    hello maangchi, i just came across your website and want to say a big thank you! i have cooked two of your amazing recipes over the last week, kam ja tang on Sunday and dak juk tonight. You make it so so easy to follow and understand. At the moment, it’s winter here in Australia, and being able to cook both of these soups really warmed us up and they turned out really well. I am so happy i found your website, I hope that you can come to Australia sometime and visit :)

    • Maangchi New York City joined 8/08 & has 12,045 comments

      gajatang is a little difficult to make for a beginner cook but it sounds like you made good one! Congratulations! Making Dakjuk (porridge with chicken) is a piece of cake, right? : )
      Sure I love to visit Australia someday. Happy cooking!

  13. I just made this porridge this morning for my husband and I. I was surprised how tasty the porridge was with just 1 tbs of salt for seasoning.

  14. maggs UK joined 1/11 & has 4 comments

    would using chicken pieces instead of whole chicken be okay?

  15. That looks like wonderful “comfort food”. One question: Why do you add salt at the end? Wouldn’t the chicken be more flavorful if it simmered in salted water?

  16. tvFxqC USA joined 5/10 & has 1 comment

    i just make this right now, and wooow. it’s soo good.
    i didn’t know my mom can’t eat meat today so she couldn’t try it but she saw it and she said she can’t wait to try it tomorrow^_^
    i especially love how the chicken came out, it’s very tender and dipped in the sauce, delicious.
    thanks so much for the recipe maangchi ! 감사합니다 ! ^_^

  17. Brigitte Montreal,Canada joined 1/10 & has 29 comments

    Hey Maangchi,

    There is a greek version like this one that my greek granny used to make for me.She passed away a few years ago so I asked my dad to make it…..My dad always underestimates himself so it didn’t turn out soo good.But now with your recipe,I could make a Korean version that will practically taste the same as the Greek one!:D Thanks for the recipe!

    • Maangchi New York City joined 8/08 & has 12,045 comments

      oh, yeah? I agree that there are so many similar food in different cultures. When I traveled to Barcelona, I met a man who ran the Youth hostel where I stayed. He made African style chicken porridge for us. I was very surprised when I tasted it because it was exactly like Korean style chicken porridge! (dakjuk). It was made with rice, garlic, and whole chicken. : )

  18. tsirhcevoli USA joined 3/10 & has 24 comments

    Maangchi,
    I am doing a cooking show. Is it okay if I use your recipes?
    (It is okay if I can’t)

  19. justineee Washington joined 3/10 & has 5 comments

    my mom always put the rice inside the chicken so it had that nice chicken juices inside. she also put in prunes. but the egg is something i havent tryed before! i should try it out!

  20. medusa Australia joined 3/10 & has 2 comments

    Oh Maangchi,

    This was the BEST dish for me 3 days ago when i came down with the flu! So nourishing and heart-warming. It is such mum-food.

  21. BenjieM State of Kuwait joined 3/10 & has 2 comments

    Hi! Maangchi,

    Anyong Haseyo!!! I would like to congratulate you on your well deserved nomination, may you continue to shower us with your delectable recipes.

  22. tinaishung austin joined 3/10 & has 1 comment

    I made this recipe the day you posted it, and it just so happened my boyfriend and I were both sick. This delicious porridge sure nursed us back to health! Thank you!

  23. Pure_Hapa Redondo Beach, California joined 8/09 & has 20 comments

    I looooooooove chicken and rice! Such comfort food. This will be cooking in my kitchen soon. And I’m going to go vote at Saveur now too!

  24. JudySong Chicago, IL joined 3/10 & has 1 comment

    I am making dakjuk right now! ;) I’ll try to take some pics before diving in!

  25. Kutin NYC joined 2/10 & has 6 comments

    hi maangchi,

    I love this recipe, it reminds me of the chicken congee that my mom makes when I was young. I would definitely tried this recipe. It also seem liked you had fun in Costa Rica. I am glad you are back and sharing this recipe. Thanks so much maangchi.

  26. leeemur SF Bay Area joined 7/09 & has 9 comments

    Looks like you had so much fun! They’re so lucky to be able to try your food! I miss my mom’s dakjuk. She’s coming over in 2 weeks. I’m gonna force her to make some. haha

  27. violin123 Arizona joined 1/10 & has 10 comments

    I so want to eat DakJuk now. It was a really good idea you did that at the location. Your friends look so happy eating your food. I would too if I was there. Fun video Maangchi! Thanks for posting.

  28. Amber727 New Jersey joined 7/09 & has 36 comments

    Could I use chicken pieces instead of a whole chicken? Will it still be just as tasty?

  29. ztawan joined 2/10 & has 4 comments

    Amazing video! Would you be coming to San Diego???

  30. Tuty joined 5/09 & has 14 comments

    Maangchi,

    Congrats on your nomination as the Most Innovative Video Content

    I am excited for you!!! Very well deserved.
    It’s great to have you, as Korean, to teach all of us the authentic Korean cuisine.
    I will vote for you, right after this.

    Cheers,
    Tuty @Scentofspice

  31. Tuty joined 5/09 & has 14 comments

    We call this type of dish bubur ayam (bubur=porridge ; ayam=chicken). Wow, the broth must be fragrant with that much garlic. It’s the ultimate comfort food for me. Better for the soul than chicken soup…

  32. jimin Oakville, Ontario . Canada joined 9/08 & has 18 comments

    This is my favourite video. Thank you for sharing this. You make food such an adventure.

  33. miles2go North Jersey joined 12/09 & has 1 comment

    This is a beautiful video, Maangchi is the Korean cooking ambassador to the world. You are truly my hero!

    Deb

  34. some1unknown australia joined 12/09 & has 8 comments

    is there a podcast out yet??
    looks delicous
    i think i might try it out

  35. ahrumg joined 3/10 & has 1 comment

    Hi Maangchi,

    Long time fan from NC, first time commenter. I love your dakjuk recipe. I will definitely be trying this out soon. Your trip to Costa Rica looks awesome. and those watermelons look amazing! I can’t wait until the summer. Looking at those amazing watermelons definitely make me long for summer fruits.

    My husband and I both love your site because it really makes Korean food so accessible. We really appreciate your work. One day, we hope to attend one of your cooking classes in NYC. :)

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