Darren AngIf you’ve ever had a bowl of samgyetang in Korea — that slow-simmered whole chicken soup steeped in ginseng and herbs — you already know it hits differently from any other chicken soup in the world. Now imagine that, but elevated by 35 years of hanbang expertise. That’s exactly what JIHO Samgyetang SBCD brings to Singapore.
Opened in May 2026 at 18 Cross in the CBD, JIHO Samgyetang SBCD is the first Southeast Asian outpost of JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang — a Korean institution founded in 1991 by Dr. Lee Ji-ho, who has dedicated nearly five decades to the art of restorative Korean cooking. With over 80 locations across Korea, Sydney, and Shanghai, and 12 consecutive Korea Franchise Awards to its name, this is not a restaurant you take lightly.
What Is Samgyetang?
For the uninitiated: samgyetang (삼계탕) is a traditional Korean chicken soup made by stuffing a whole young chicken with glutinous rice, garlic, and jujube, then slow-simmering it in a rich herbal broth. It’s deeply nourishing, warming, and rooted in Korean hanbang — the centuries-old practice of using herbs medicinally through food.
JIHO takes this tradition seriously. Every broth is built on a patented blend of Korean traditional herbs, and the menu is designed around specific health benefits: from relieving fatigue to skin nourishment to boosting antioxidants. This isn’t just food. It’s food-as-medicine.
What We Tried at JIHO Samgyetang SBCD
Beauty Samgyetang ($29.80++)
The table was immediately charmed by this one. The Beauty Samgyetang is brewed with ingredients traditionally prized in Korean culture for skin nourishment and anti-aging properties. The broth is delicate, slightly floral, and comforting without being heavy. If you’re going in a group, this one’s a must-order for the table to share the experience.
Perilla Samgyejuk ($29.80++)
The samgyejuk format serves the same nourishing broths ladled over boneless chicken cuts — perfect if you want all the flavour without the work of carving. The Perilla Samgyejuk infuses Korean perilla seeds into the broth, adding a soft, nutty depth that makes it surprisingly rich. It’s high in dietary fibre and one of the more unique flavour profiles on the menu. Highly recommend if you’re feeling adventurous.
Spicy Braised Chicken — Our Favourite!
Let’s be honest: this was the dish that won the table. Featuring Cheongyang chilli peppers — notorious for their clean, sharp heat — along with chives and enoki mushrooms, the Spicy Braised Chicken delivers a bold, warming punch that’s deeply satisfying. The heat builds gradually, the sauce clings beautifully, and paired with rice, it’s the kind of dish you keep going back to. If you only get one non-soup dish, make it this.
Seafood Pancake ($19.80++)
A familiar SBCD staple that earns its place on the table. Crispy-edged, generously filled, and great for sharing. The kind of dish that disappears before anyone realises they’ve been eating it.
The Menu at a Glance
JIHO’s Singapore menu offers six varieties of samgyetang, including:
- Healthy Samgyetang ($29.80++) — the signature, brewed with patented Korean herbs to relieve fatigue and support joint health
- Spicy Samgyetang ($32.80++) — Cheongyang chilli, chives, and enoki for those who like it fiery
- Beauty Samgyetang ($29.80++) — skin-nourishing herbs and anti-aging botanicals
- Perilla Samgyetang ($32.80++) — Korean perilla seeds for a soft, savoury depth
- Mung Bean Samgyetang ($32.80++) — promotes metabolism
- Black Garlic Samgyetang ($32.80++) — Namhae garlic aged 60 days for 10x antioxidant potency
All varieties are also available as Samgyejuk — the boneless format — at the same price points. There’s also a brand-new Knife-cut Samgye Kalguksu ($29.80++), a collab between JIHO and SBCD’s culinary teams, served with a full chicken in samgye broth.
For something truly spectacular, the Cheonma Duck Health Soup ($119.80++) is a slow-simmered centrepiece built around gastrodia tuber — one of hanbang’s most prized botanicals. One for a special occasion or a group splurge.
Ambience & Location
JIHO Samgyetang SBCD is nestled in the basement of 18 Cross, a stone’s throw from Telok Ayer MRT and the bustle of the CBD. The space seats 170 pax, making it viable for large groups and corporate lunches alike. It’s clean, well-designed, and feels appropriately premium without being stuffy.
Final Verdict
JIHO Samgyetang SBCD is a genuinely exciting addition to Singapore’s Korean dining scene. It’s not just another Korean restaurant — it’s a brand with deep culinary heritage and a very clear philosophy around food as nourishment. The samgyetang broths are complex and restorative, the boneless samgyejuk format makes the experience accessible, and the Spicy Braised Chicken is a certified crowd-pleaser.
Whether you’re coming in for a solo lunch, a family dinner, or just to see what 35 years of perfecting chicken soup tastes like — JIHO is worth the trip.
Opening Hours & Reservations
Address: 18 Cross Street, B1-01, 18 Cross, Singapore 048423 Mon–Fri: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 10:00pm Sat–Sun: 11:30am – 10:00pm Reservations: +65 8242 6988 Instagram: @sbcdjiho
*Invited tasting. All opinions are our own.