5 to Try: Chicken Soup in Koreatown

1144 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006 (map)

The name says it all: This direct import from Korea is all about the poultry-based staple. With plenty of stuffing and a boiled-through flavor, the chicken soup sets the bar high for those without a matched legacy. The one or two duk (rice cake) swimming along with the chicken is also a pleasant surprise.

3177 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006 (map)

Giving regular old porridge the fine silverware treatment, this K-town eatery features samgyetang among other healthy menu items. Here, you can get the soup with a dish of vinegary sauce and green onions. (Just remember that too much can hide the natural taste of the chicken and ginseng.) Once a middle ground is established by pouring only half of the sauce, the soup is a sensation. And it's actually good for you.

3064 W 8TH St, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (map)

This tiny hole-in-the-wall is practically overtaken by its kitchen, which is perfectly fine with us if that's what it takes to create the top-notch samgyetang. An entire chicken is tightly stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, garlic and jujubes. (No, not Jujubees candy. Come on, people. We're talking Korean cuisine here, not artificial American junk food!) It may take some chopstick work to shuffle out the goodness, but once you've done it the soup is a treat. Only problem is that you might still be shuffling long after it's gone.

698 Irolo St Ste 105, Los Angeles, CA 90005 (map)

At this uber-crammed K-town favorite, the samgyetang comes with what is truly a fully grown chicken. Perhaps it's the winged open body that makes the chicken look extra plump in the soup, or maybe it's that they use especially fattened birds. Whatever the case, the tender meat is an ode to excess with its ginseng, garlic and extra herb flavorings. Glutinous rice is generously stuffed inside the chicken, often spilling outside from its extra-large helping. Bottom line: Come here hungry.

4103 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019 (map)

Sure, the sushi and barbecue are tempting at this two-in-one spot, but we suggest the soup--the meat in the samgyetang is so tender that it literally falls off the bone. The strong batch of enoki mushrooms adds a woodsy taste, while the usual ginseng, garlic, jujubes, green onions, and glutinous rice finish it off. The simple ingredients capture the simple juice of the meat and makes it the focal point of the dish. Ahh .... don't you feel better already?