Seolleongtang
In its own language: 설렁탕
Milky beef bone soup from Seoul, seasoned at the table
Seolleongtang is a traditional Korean soup made by simmering ox bones, brisket, and other beef cuts for many hours, resulting in a cloudy, white broth. Originating from Seoul, it is served hot with rice and side dishes, and diners season it themselves with salt, pepper, garlic, and spring onion.
- Simmered for hours to create a milky white broth
- Seasoned by each diner at the table
- Traditionally served with rice and side dishes
- A specialty of Seoul
- Linked to royal and communal traditions
What is Seolleongtang?
Seolleongtang is a soup with a milky, off-white appearance, made by simmering ox bones—mainly leg bones—along with brisket and other beef parts for many hours. The long cooking draws out flavor and gelatin, giving the broth its cloudy look. It is typically served with rice and a selection of side dishes. The taste is mild and rich, and diners adjust the seasoning to their liking at the table, adding salt, pepper, garlic, or chopped spring onions.
Where does Seolleongtang come from?
This soup is closely tied to Seoul and is thought to have roots in the Joseon period. One account links its creation to King Seongjong, who encouraged dishes that could feed many people with few ingredients after attending a national ancestral sacrifice. Another view traces its beginnings to the Mongolian invasion in the 13th century, suggesting it evolved from the Mongolian dish sulen. The name changed over time for easier pronunciation, and some confusion exists around its Hanja spelling due to its white color.
How is Seolleongtang made?
To make seolleongtang, ox bones, brisket, and other beef parts are simmered gently over a low flame for several hours or even a whole day. This slow cooking extracts flavor and nutrients, turning the broth cloudy and white. The soup is strained and served hot, often with rice either on the side or added directly into the bowl. Seasoning is left to each person, who can add salt, black pepper, minced garlic, or chopped spring onions at the table.
How and when is Seolleongtang eaten?
Seolleongtang is eaten as a main meal, usually for lunch or dinner. It is commonly enjoyed with rice and a variety of Korean side dishes. Some people mix the rice into the soup, while others eat it separately. The mild broth is adjusted to taste at the table, making it a customizable dish. It is a regular part of everyday meals in Seoul and is served hot, especially appreciated in cooler weather.
Kinds of Seolleongtang
While the basic method and ingredients remain consistent, some versions may use different cuts of beef or add more brisket, cartilage, or intestines. The soup's name has changed over time, and some restaurants use older spellings. Regional differences are not strongly noted, but each cook may have a preferred balance of bone and meat, and the choice of side dishes can vary.
What Seolleongtang means
Seolleongtang is a staple of Seoul's food culture and is linked to historical rituals and communal meals. The oldest known restaurant in South Korea, Imun Seolnongtang, is famous for serving this soup. Its preparation and serving style reflect a tradition of sharing and personalizing food. The dish is sometimes mistakenly written in Hanja as 'snowy thick soup' due to its color, but this is not the correct origin of the name.
Questions people ask about Seolleongtang
What is seolleongtang made of?
Seolleongtang is made by simmering ox bones, brisket, and other beef cuts for many hours, resulting in a cloudy, white broth. It is served with rice and seasoned at the table with salt, pepper, garlic, and spring onions.
Where does seolleongtang come from?
Seolleongtang comes from Seoul, South Korea. It is a traditional soup with historical ties to royal and communal meals in the region.
How is seolleongtang served?
Seolleongtang is served hot, usually with rice and several Korean side dishes. Diners season their own bowl with salt, black pepper, minced garlic, or chopped spring onions.
What does seolleongtang taste like?
The soup has a mild, rich flavor with a milky, off-white appearance. The taste is subtle, and diners adjust the seasoning to their preference at the table.
Is seolleongtang eaten for any special occasion?
Seolleongtang is mainly an everyday food in Seoul and is not specifically tied to festivals or religious events.
Good reading and sources
- Seolleongtang on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Seolleongtang", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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