Energy Boosting Stew

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The traditional chicken stew known as sangyetang is a favorite in Korea every summer. Today we introduce varieties of samgyetang that can boost your energy in the summer heat. Let's take a look.

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People frequently lose their appetite amid the scorching heat of summertime. When they are exhausted by the summer heat, Korean people naturally turn to a dish that can bolster their health.

[Soundbite] "I sweat a lot in summer. So I need some energy boosting dishes."

[Soundbite] “Samgyetang is just the right choice in summer!"

This is a samgyetang restaurant in Seoul. But something is unusual about the chicken stew offered here. The broth is black, not white as usual.

[Soundbite] Jang In-ho(Samgyetang Restaurant Owner) : "Our secret is black sesame powder. Powdered black sesame is the ingredient that makes the broth black."

[Soundbite] Lee Won-sun(Oriental Medicine Doctor) : "The vegetable oil linolenic acid contained in black sesame helps lower cholesterol counts. Black sesame cooked with chicken is very good for health."

Stuff a chicken with sticky rice, ginseng and jujube dates and boil it. Then the powder of six grains, including black sesame, is added to the broth. After a good boil, a hot, nutritious bowl of samgyetang is ready to be served.

[Soundbite] Goh Yoo-jeong(Customer) : "The broth is black. So I thought that it would taste rough. But it is very good with the nutty and light taste."

[Soundbite] Kim Byung-ok(Customer) : "It feels like I have eaten a pack of Oriental medicine."

This restaurant also offers an unusual variety of the samgyetang chicken stew. Seasonal wild greens are boiled in a pot. A chicken is stuffed with sticky rice and mung beans, which are known to have detoxifying effects. Generous servings of sea food and other skewered ingredients are added. Lastly, a steamed king crab is placed on the chicken stew. Voila!, here is samgyetang with seafood and king crab.

[Soundbite] Cha Hyun-chang(Customer) : "It looks great but its taste is better."

There are more varieties, including samgyetang in curry broth. This curry samgyetang has a double benefit, as the chicken is an energy boosting food while curry is known to be good for improving memory. Chogyetang, originating from the royal court cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty, is a cold variety of the chicken stew. These varieties of samgyetang may be the right choice for those who want to stay healthy and energetic in a battle against the sizzling summer heat.