How to Use the Korean Chicken Soup Calculator
Samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) and baeksuk (whole boiled chicken) are traditional Korean dishes eaten to build stamina during the hottest days of summer — there's no direct equivalent in Western cuisine, but the idea of a warming, restorative whole-chicken soup translates easily. Baeksuk uses one large chicken (around 2.6 lb) shared between 2-3 people, while samgyetang uses one small young chicken (about 1.1-1.3 lb) meant for a single diner, so the number of chickens you need depends heavily on which style you're making.
This calculator scales glutinous rice (about 1 oz per chicken), garlic (4 cloves per chicken), jujube (3 pieces per chicken), and fresh ginseng root (1 per chicken) automatically. Water is calculated at roughly 1.5 liters per chicken, enough to fully submerge it — since some liquid evaporates during the long simmer, it's wise to prepare slightly more than the calculated amount.
If using frozen chicken, thaw it in the refrigerator the day before cooking so the simmering time stays consistent. Both dishes are traditionally served whole in individual pots with a small dish of salt and pepper for dipping, rather than being cut into pieces before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Baeksuk uses one large chicken (around 2.6 lb) shared by 2-3 people, while samgyetang uses one small young chicken (about 1.1-1.3 lb) eaten whole by a single person. The calculator accounts for this difference.
Ginseng adds the dish's signature aroma and slightly bitter note, so you can skip it if unavailable. For authentic flavor, most recipes use about one fresh ginseng root per chicken.