Polydish city guide

Best Yukgaejang in Toronto

“Shredded beef simmered long with scallions and spice—a royal soup that cures summer fatigue.”

Yukgaejang

What the real thing tastes like

Yukgaejang (Korean: 육개장) or spicy beef soup is a spicy Korean soup made from shredded beef with scallions and other ingredients, which are simmered together for a long time. It is a variety of gomguk, or bone soup, which was formerly served in Korean royal court cuisine. It is thought to be healthful and is popular due to its hot and spicy nature. Also, yukgaejang was eaten mainly by people who were tired of the midsummer heat to take care of themselves. In addition to shredded beef, scallions, and water, the dish generally also includes bean sprouts, gosari (bracken fern), torandae (taro stems), sliced onion, dangmyeon (sweet potato noodles), chili powder, garlic, perilla seeds (also called wild sesame seeds), soy sauce, oil (sesame oil and/or vegetable oil), black pepper, and salt. Chili oil may also be used. Yukgaejang is generally served with a bowl of rice and kimchi.

0 voices, one story

Yukgaejang is a spicy Korean beef soup built on simplicity and time—shredded meat simmered long with scallions until the broth pulls all the flavor down. It carries the lineage of royal court cooking, but found its truest purpose as comfort food for summer exhaustion, the kind of heat that paradoxically refreshes when you're worn down by the season. Bracken fern, sweet potato noodles, bean sprouts, and perilla seeds layer in, each adding texture and a specific mineral or nutty note, while chili powder and sesame oil anchor the warmth.

Order it here when it has

  • thought to be healthful
  • hot and spicy nature
  • formerly served in royal court cuisine

Walk away when you see

    Restaurant-level rankings for Toronto land as the Polydish review engine processes this city's reviews. Explore the dish itself while you wait —

    Yukgaejang on Polydish →