Mokgyehwawon Chicken Hotpot

Mokgyehawon

What Makes Mokgyehwawon Special

Picture this: a bubbling clay pot arrives at your table, releasing aromatic steam that carries the earthy scent of Korean medicinal herbs mixed with tender chicken. The golden broth shimmers with droplets of oil, while fresh vegetables peek through the surface. This is chicken hot pot (닭한마리, dak-han-mari) at Mokgyehwawon, where traditional Korean wellness cuisine meets contemporary dining comfort. Other than chicken hot pot they also have beef hot pot options as well.

Korean chicken hot pot is a communal dining experience steeped in the philosophy of "food as medicine" (약식동원, yaksikdongwon). This nourishing dish has been served as both everyday comfort food and special occasion fare throughout Korean history. At Mokgyehwawon, this centuries-old tradition is elevated into a carefully orchestrated course meal that transforms a simple gathering into a memorable culinary journey.

The Mokgyehwawon Experience

A Perfect Venue for Gatherings

Mokgyehwawon has built its reputation as an ideal destination for group celebrations, business dinners, and family reunions. The restaurant’s private rooms (룸, room) provide an intimate setting where groups can enjoy their meal without distraction—a feature particularly valued in Korean dining culture where important conversations often happen over shared meals.

This is a great restaurant for special occasions or family meetings.

I will be trying their signature course meal, consisting of

• Appetizer Porridge

Chicken broth rice porridge, shiitaki mushrooms, and squid ink

• Yukhoe & Tongjangak & Surae Salad

Korean-style raw beef, salad, grilled chicken leg

• Chicken Shabu-shabu & Kalguksu

Chicken thigh (60g), chicken breast (60g), assorted vegetables, and handmade knife-cut noodles

• Seasoned Pollack Salad

Seasoned raw pollack with burdock, cucumber, onion, chives, and sesame

• Dessert

Sherbet greek yogurt ice cream, blueberry, lemon, and apple mint

Traditional Drink Pairings

And of course with every meal we love to pair with a drink.

The staff recommend a traditional Korean drink that was very similar to white wine.

Mokgyehwawon offers quite an impressive selection of makgeolli (rice wine), soju, and premium Korean spirits. If you are not sure what to choose, ask the staff for a recommendation! They will surely pair with a drink that matches your flavor notes.

Signature Course Meal

• Appetizer Porridge

Chicken broth with rice porridge, shiitaki mushrooms, and squid ink

The scent of shiitaki mushroom is a lovely touch as you take a bite of this dark colored porridge. It’s very light and a great appetite kick-start menu.

• Yukhoe & Tongjangak & Surae Salad

This menu consist or Korean-style beef tartar, light vegetables with shrimp, water celery, burdock, cucumber, sesame, and mustard sauce. Grilled chicken leg seasoned with salt and pepper

Instructions on how to eat.

First pour the quail egg on top of the Korean style beef tartar and mix it all together.

Next, take the mustard sauce and pour into the salad with the shrimp topping. There are fresh veggies hidden underneath the green so mix well. This light salad cleanses the palate after each bite of the roasted chicken leg.

Lastly, enjoy the enjoy the wonderfully cooked chicken leg. Holding the leg will be easy and clean as they have the paper holder wrapped around the bone.

• Chicken Shabu-shabu & Kalguksu

Chicken thigh (60g), chicken breast (60g), assorted vegetables, and handmade knife-cut noodles

• Seasoned Pollack Salad

Seasoned raw pollack with burdock, cucumber, onion, chives, and sesame

• Dessert

Sherbet greek yogurt ice cream, blueberry, lemon, and apple mint

What Are the Key Ingredients That Create Deep Broth Flavor?

Daechu (Korean Jujube Dates, 대추)

These deep red dried fruits provide natural sweetness and subtle apple-like notes to the broth. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, jujubes have been used in Korean traditional medicine to improve sleep quality and reduce stress. They soften during cooking, releasing their essence into the liquid. Available at Asian markets or online as "red dates."

Insam (Korean Ginseng, 인삼)

The earthy, slightly bitter root that defines authentic Korean chicken hot pot flavor. Fresh Korean ginseng adds a distinctive umami depth and woody complexity that commercial ginseng supplements can’t replicate. Traditionally believed to boost immune function and energy levels, its presence transforms ordinary chicken soup into medicinal cuisine. Look for fresh roots at Korean specialty stores, though dried ginseng works as a substitute.

How Would You Describe the Taste and Spice Level?

Spice Level: 2/10 – Korean chicken hot pot is remarkably mild, making it accessible for those who find most Korean food too spicy.

Korean Fine Dining Redefined 🇰🇷 | Chicken Shabu-Shabu at Mokgyehwawon

Watch this video on YouTube

The flavor profile opens with clean, savory notes from the chicken stock, followed by gentle earthiness from ginseng and subtle sweetness from jujubes. There’s a pleasant umami depth that builds as the pot simmers, with herbal undertones that feel warming rather than medicinal. The taste is neither heavy nor overly light—it achieves what Koreans call "dam-baek-ham" (담백함), a clean savoriness that doesn’t overwhelm.

The broth develops complexity as you eat, becoming richer and more concentrated. The flavors from the veggies, mushroom, and chicken all melt into the broth, giving it a more rich flavor as it continues to cook. Broth refill is possible, so call for staff if more is needed!

What Should First-Time Eaters Know?

The Proper Eating Sequence

Korean chicken hot pot follows a specific dining progression that maximizes enjoyment. Start by tasting the clear broth with a spoon—this initial sip reveals the pure essence of the ingredients. Next, add in the vegetables to the broth, make sure to cut the vegatables with provided scissors. It only takes 2-3 minutes for the veggies to be ready to eat. Dip them in the provided sauce.

(left: regular soy and garlic/ middle: signature sauce/ right: sweet chilli)

Once the broth is brought to boil and the veggatables are cooked start to add slices of chicken. They provide chicken thigh and chicken breast meat. Chicken takes longer to cook, but you can tell when it’s ready to eat by the color.

Chicken thigh should turn to a light brownish color, Chicken breasts should turn white when its ready to eat.

The meal culminates in kalguksu, where noodles is added to the remaining broth towards the end of the meal. This final stage is considered by many Koreans to be the best part, concentrating all flavors into one bowl. Kalguksu absords a lot of the broth, so make sure to ask for broth refill before putting in the noodles.

Why Choose Mokgyehwawon for Your Korean Dining Experience

Near Yongsan Station, Sinyongsan has quickly become one of Seoul’s hottest areas. Yongridan-gil, is a local hotspot where Koreans go to enjoy trendy cafes and many many delicious restuarants. It has become a popular street to the diverse options when it comes to food. Yongridan-gil offers Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Western, and Korean cuisine choices.

From creative fusion dining to premium Korean cuisine, this area has transformed into a new culinary destination — a must-visit for anyone looking to taste the city’s evolving food culture.

Address: 123-2 Hangangno 2(i)-ga, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea

Hours:

Monday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Friday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM–9:30 PM

For private rooms, reservations are recommended

You can call them at : +82 50-71434-7688

Or book through catchtable.net

Planning Your Visit to Mokgyehwawon

Bottom Line: Mokgyehwawon offers an authentic Korean chicken hot pot experience that balances tradition with comfort, health with flavor, and cultural education with pure dining enjoyment. The private room setting, comprehensive course meal, and exceptional traditional drink selection make it Seoul’s premier destination for experiencing this beloved Korean dish.

For international visitors seeking genuine Korean cuisine beyond the ubiquitous barbecue and bibimbap, chicken hot pot at Mokgyehwawon provides insight into Korea’s wellness-centered food philosophy. The mild flavors make it accessible even for those new to Korean food, while the depth and complexity satisfy experienced Korean cuisine enthusiasts.

For more information about the traditional health benefits and cultural significance of Korean medicinal cuisine like chicken hot pot, visit the Korean Food Promotion Institute, which provides comprehensive resources on authentic Korean culinary traditions and their role in Korean culture.

Other Hotpot Resturants:
Mipogip: Hot pot Rice and Marinated Seafood