JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang (지호 한방 삼계탕 시드니) — Restaurant in Sydney

We have been wanting to try out this eatery a few times but were put off by the long queues on weekends. We also confirmed once before that this place did not take bookings as it was only walk-ins. We finally decided to try out on a weeknight and joined the queue, though hungry. It took quite a while before we managed to secure a table. I was pleasantly surprised they had 3 levels for dining and all accessible only by stairs.

Positive highlights from our dining experience: The eatery was clean and neat Staff were quite attentive and polite. The staff helped to explain and guide through the menu items Order is self-service and placed via QR code at the table Cups, plates and cutlery were ready by the time we were seated. Do note that cutlery and serviettes are in a drawer by the side of the table. They have a 5% discount when paying by cash.

Besides the long queues, there was another drawback. It was, unfortunately, a bit of a mixed food experience. The banchan was quite limited and small jn portion. For the healthy ginseng samgyetang, it was really pleasant, fragrant and sweet though the portion was pretty small and I was left wishing there was a stronger ginseng flavour. The black garlic ginseng samgyetang, though, started promising and tasted quite nice and different to the healthy version. However, it became more bitter as the meal progressed. It turned out that the bottom of the chicken was burnt! The portion size too was on the smaller side.

The saving grace to the meal is the staff listening what we were trying to convey with the burnt meal and took it back to the kitchen to inform the kitchen staff. When he did pop back, there was an acknowledgement of the burnt meal and offered us a choice of either a discount or to voice the cost of that specific meal. This at least made up for the unfortunate burnt meal.

All in all, with the long queues and mixed food experience, may need to consider if we may pop...

My partner and I ordered the Samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup), and unfortunately, it was quite bland. The chicken lacked flavor and quality compared to a similar dish we’ve had at another food court restaurant—which was both cheaper and tastier. The Samgyetang here costs $33 and doesn’t even include rice, so we had to order rice separately at $4.50 per person.

Major disappointment: I wasn’t very hungry and was just accompanying my partner, so we decided to share one Samgyetang, which is a generous portion and definitely enough for two. However, when the food arrived, we were told there would be a surcharge because we only ordered one dish to share. Apparently, the restaurant has a policy requiring one order per person.

We were shocked, especially since there was no visible sign or notice about this rule when we ordered. Had we known, we would’ve chosen something else. I raised this concern with the man at the counter (possibly the owner), and he confirmed that it’s their policy. When I pointed out that there was no notice displayed, he admitted that maybe someone turned it off, but still insisted that its our policy!! So we decided not continue eating so required for a take away box instead.

The whole experience left a bad taste, bad service and bad hospitality!!

This will be our first and last visit to this restaurant. We’ll be letting friends and family know not to come to this...

2/8/25 - 3 stars

Apparently this is a famous chain of Samgyetang (Chicken Ginseng Soup) in Korea. Fairly well hidden but the entry is quite impressive with an open kitchen and big rotisserie. It's still quite trendy at the moment this fairly packed though booking was easy. Inside is simply decorated but tasteful. Service is functional.

The food, however, is fairly unique in Sydney but, overall, not that impressive. I think the other ginseng chicken soup I've had was better and cheaper too. They lean a lot on their "healthy" brand and marketing to upsell I feel.

Original Chicken Ginseng Soup Flavour: S, 8/10. It's nice but nothing to write home about. Spicy version: A, 7/10. I like pepper but this is honestly too much. I'd prefer if it was chilli hot, not super peppery. Chicken: S, 8/10. Texture: S, 8/10. Felt like the gluttinous rice didn't quite mix well. Value: B, 6/10. $33-34. Though there is an entire small chicken, still wouldn't buy again.

Perilla Seed Juk Flavour: A, 7/10. Less umami than the soup and a bit more herbal. Texture: S+, 8.5/10. Basically well cooked porridge. Value: C, 5/10. $34. Not worth.

Crispy chicken Flavour: S, 8/10. As with the other reviews, the skin is very flavourful but the meat is ordinary Texture: S, 7/10. Chicken is crispy but inside is dry. The rice underneath was nice though. Value: A, 7/10. $42 feels...