JBanana wrote:Good luck, I'm currently sick as well so I feel your pain.
JBanana and Sal,
Chicago is rife with restorative soups, from matzo ball at Manny's or the Bagel to Pho at Tank, Bun Bo Hue at Dong Thanh, Yuk Gae Jang at San Soo Gap San, menudo at Nuevo Leon, carne en su jugo at Taquería Tayahua to any number of delicious bowls of goodness, but the best, for when one is weary from neverending coughs and sniffles is
Ssyal.
Ssyal specializes in Samgyetang or hot ginseng chicken soup, which is renowned for its restorative powers. The soup consists of a whole small chicken lightly filled with short grain brown rice, three kinds of beans, bits of garlic and red date all served in a light, but flavorful, broth that contains whole ginseng root.
The chicken soup is served with small dishes of Korean style accompaniments; ginseng root in red chili paste, daikon radish kimchee, translucent cooked yam gelatin, and a slightly bitter water vegetable. There is also a side dish of short grain brown rice studded with multiple types of beans that is quite reminiscent of macrobiotic restaurants. Ssyal ginseng, has an over all feel not unlike the late 60's, early 70's. Slightly meditative, relaxing and peaceful.
Ssyal, while having a different feel than most Chicago restaurants, is a place to eat, not meditate. The whole chicken, along with side dishes, is filling and the place, at least the few times I have been there for lunch, had a number of customers, all eating chicken ginseng soup. Ssyal has two other offerings, fish and miso soup, though chicken in broth is the main focus.
Enjoy,
Gary
Ssyal Ginseng Growing Company
4201 W Lawrence
Chicago, Il 60625
815-648-4601
773-427-5296-7