어묵탕 Eomuktang
A clear broth of fish cakes on skewers, sold hot at street stalls and shared as a pot at bars.
Spice: Not spicy
Tang (hearty soup)
설렁탕 Seolleongtang
Milky beef bone soup you season yourself with salt and green onion.
- Ox Bone Soup
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains beef
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Beef bones, sliced beef, thin wheat noodles |
| How it's served | Hot milky broth with sliced beef and noodles, served with rice, salt, green onion and radish kimchi |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains beef — Beef or beef stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Wheat |
| Ask about | Served with radish kimchi (fish, shrimp); some places use glass noodles instead of wheat noodles. |
| On the menu | 설렁탕 (Seolleongtang) |
| Also called | seollongtang · sullungtang |
| Region | Nationwide · Seoul |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Ox Bone Soup
Season it at the table
The broth usually comes unsalted. Add salt and chopped green onion to taste, and pepper or chili flakes if you like.
Add the rice
Many people put their rice into the broth and eat the two together with a spoon.
Eat it with radish kimchi
Take a bite of kkakdugi between spoonfuls. Some people stir a little of its juice into the broth.
How to order it
Order it as 설렁탕. It comes as a single bowl with rice, so one person can order it alone.
- On the menu: 설렁탕
- Usually sold: 1 serving, with rice
Where it comes from
Its origin is debated. A common account links it to Seonnongdan, a royal altar for a farming rite. After the rite, beef soup was shared. Another traces it to a Mongolian way of boiling meat in plain water. It became a Seoul specialty and was sold early on as an everyday dish.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr) · Korea.net (korea.net)
Similar dishes
갈비탕 Galbitang
A clear soup of beef short ribs simmered until tender, eaten with rice as a full meal.
Spice: Not spicy
감자탕 Gamjatang
A spicy stew of pork back-bones, potatoes and dried greens, usually shared from one pot.
Spice: Medium
Questions about Ox Bone Soup
Is seolleongtang vegetarian?
No. The broth is made by simmering beef bones for hours, and the bowl comes with sliced beef.
Is seolleongtang spicy?
Not spicy. Any heat comes only from the kimchi or chili flakes you add yourself.
What is in seolleongtang?
Beef bone broth, sliced beef and thin wheat noodles. Some places also add other cuts, such as tongue or offal.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026