A Bowl at Goryeo Samgyetang Main Branch in an Alley near City Hall Station

1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil: A Location That Became a Lunch Destination in the City Hall Business District

The road-name address of Goryeo Samgyetang Main Branch is 1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Seosomun-dong), and the main telephone number is 02-752-9376. The Korea Tourism Organization’s tourism information introduces it as a samgyetang specialty restaurant near City Hall Station, making it a convenient place for a meal after visiting Seoul City Hall, Deoksugung Palace, and Jeongdong.

This alley lies within the western downtown gateway area near the Joseon-era “Seosomun Outside the Four-way Intersection.” It was where goods arriving from Ganghwado and the Samnam region gathered before entering the capital fortress and where roads crossed. Today, it is an area where offices, government buildings, and restaurants near the station are concentrated.

Weekdays 10:30–21:00, Weekends Closing at 20:30: How to Avoid the Three Holidays

According to the tourism information, business hours are Monday to Friday 10:30–21:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:30–20:30. The listed holidays are Lunar New Year’s Day, the day of Chuseok, and May 1, so if your Seoul itinerary falls on one of these dates, it is safest to call 02-752-9376 again to confirm whether the restaurant is open.

There is no admission fee, as this is a regular restaurant, and the cost of a meal varies depending on the menu. Takeout and credit card payment are available, and a separate parking facility is also listed. However, traffic around City Hall Station is heavy during weekday business hours, so taking the subway is less burdensome if you are visiting for a quick meal.

• Weekdays: 10:30–21:00
• Saturday and Sunday: 10:30–20:30
• Closed: Lunar New Year’s Day, the day of Chuseok, and May 1
• Telephone: 02-752-9376

Glutinous Rice, Ginseng, and Jujubes Inside a Young Chicken: The Composition of a Bowl of Samgyetang

According to information from the Korea Tourism Organization, the basic samgyetang here is prepared by simmering a cleaned young chicken stuffed with ginseng, jujubes, glutinous rice, and other ingredients. The listed menu includes samgyetang, ogolgyetang, abalone samgyetang, Goryeo-style whole chicken, and abalone porridge.

Travelers’ reviews repeatedly describe the chicken as a relatively small young bird with tender meat, although there is not a large amount of it, and mention that the broth is rich yet clean-tasting. A review published on Trip.com mentions the aroma of ginseng, filling ingredients including glutinous rice, goji berries, and jujubes, and broth that is not excessively oily. However, this was an individual review posted in 2019, so it is best to check the current seasoning and ingredients on the menu before ordering.

2023 Michelin Guide Selection and Reviews Mentioning Fast Service

The Korea Tourism Organization’s tourism information introduces Goryeo Samgyetang as a restaurant selected for the “2023 Michelin Guide Seoul.” However, this wording refers to its selection in 2023, so it is more accurate not to assume that it remains listed in the guide as of 2026.

A 2015 visit review posted on TripAdvisor states that the samgyetang arrived quickly after ordering because it is prepared in advance. However, these reviews were written some time ago and do not guarantee current lunchtime crowds, waiting times, or reservation availability. If you are traveling with a large group or need to eat before a scheduled sightseeing time, it is better to call on the day of your visit to ask about seating and the current wait.

From City Hall Station to Seosomun-ro 11-gil: Check the Walking Route on a Live Map

Official tourism information describes this restaurant as being near City Hall Station. Since the address is 1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, the least error-prone method is to start from City Hall Station on Subway Lines 1 and 2 and set “Goryeo Samgyetang Main Branch” or the address as the destination in a map app. Exit numbers and walking times may vary depending on construction, crosswalk signals, and the exit used, so no fixed figures are provided.

The restaurant is in the downtown area between Seoul City Hall, Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong-gil, and Seosomun History Park. Whether wheelchair and stroller access is available, whether there is an accessible restroom, and whether foreign-language menus are provided could not be confirmed through the official tourism information, so advance telephone confirmation is necessary. The tourism information specifically states that restroom use, takeout, and card payment are available.

• Nearest subway area: City Hall Station on Lines 1 and 2
• Destination to enter: 1, Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Needs confirmation: Walking time by exit, step-free access, and foreign-language menus

How to Connect the Years 1801, 1839, and 1866 at Seosomun Outside the Four-way Intersection to a Post-Meal Visit

Connecting Goryeo Samgyetang Main Branch with Seosomun History Park and the Seosomun Shrine History Museum adds the area’s historical background to what would otherwise be simply a meal near City Hall Station. Seosomun Outside the Four-way Intersection was also used as an official execution ground during the Joseon period. Many Catholics were executed there during the Sinyu Persecution in 1801, the Gihae Persecution in 1839, and the Byeongin Persecution from 1866 to 1873.

Seosomun Shrine History Museum opened in June 2019 and consists of the park above ground and the museum’s underground space. After dining at the restaurant, check the museum’s official channels separately for visiting hours and closure dates. The restaurant’s operating hours and the museum’s operating hours are not linked.

Who Will Enjoy It as a Meal and When Another Choice May Be Better

It suits travelers looking for a Korean-style samgyetang meal with warm broth, one whole bone-in chicken, and the combined flavors of ginseng and glutinous rice. Platform information indicates that solo dining is possible, and takeout and card payment are also available, making it easy to fit between business or sightseeing plans around City Hall Station.

Conversely, it may not suit people who find deboning chicken inconvenient, do not enjoy the aroma of ginseng, or plan to begin dinner late in the evening. Weekday closing is listed as 21:00 and weekend closing as 20:30, so do not plan it as a late-night meal before the last train. Confirm the exact last order time and same-day menu prices by calling 02-752-9376.