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Dish guide · Soups and stews

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Seolleongtang

설렁탕

Ox bone soup

♨️ Served hot🙂 Not spicy🥬 Not vegetarian

A milky-white soup made by simmering ox bones for many hours, served with sliced beef and rice. It comes almost unseasoned: you season it yourself at the table.

What it is

  • Leg bones and other beef bones are boiled for a long time until the broth turns cloudy and white.
  • Slices of brisket and other cuts go into the bowl, often with thin wheat noodles.

How to eat it

  1. 1Add salt, chopped green onion and pepper from the table, a little at a time, until it tastes right to you.
  2. 2Eat it with kkakdugi (radish kimchi). Some people stir a little of the kkakdugi juice into the soup.

History

  • The origin of the name is disputed. The most common explanation links it to Seonnongdan, an altar in Seoul where Joseon kings held a rite for a good harvest; the soup shared afterwards is said to have become seolleongtang.
  • It was already one of Seoul's most popular dishes by the 1920s.

Allergies and diet

Usually contains

beefwheat
  • The wheat comes from the thin noodles that are often added.
  • Some restaurants add other parts of the cow, such as head meat or tripe. Ask if you'd rather avoid them.

Recipes differ between restaurants. If you have an allergy, always ask the staff before you order.

🗣️ Allergy card for the staff

Pick your allergy to see the sentence in Korean.

📍 Where to try it

Sources

We check every fact against at least two sources and write it in our own words. Last checked: 2026-10-26.