Ginseng Chicken

Ginseng is a popular product and export from Korea. They produce top-quality and expensive ginseng crops. It is normally used for teas, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. I never thought that such a prized plant will be used for something as simple as chicken porridge.

But don't get me wrong. There is nothing as simple about the taste of the Ginseng Chicken Porridge. In fact, it only had a mild ginseng essence and it didn't have the strong medicine-like taste that I hated. The flavors of the seasonings, spices and ginseng created a flavorful mixture that is difficult to describe. The overall taste is mild, yet it doesn't leave your taste buds deprived of flavor. Since ginseng is expensive, the restaurant only put a small piece of the crop, around two inches in length, which probably explains the mild ginseng essence.

Another notable characteristic of the dish is that it is extremely hot. The pot was sizzling and the soup was literally boiling when it was served. The scorching temperature was essential in tenderizing the chicken and further cooking the rice stuffing. This steaming hot dish is perfect for those harsh Korean winter nights.