U.S. envoy to enjoy his favourite Korean comfort food

By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL, July 8 (Reuters) - Visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun won't be eating out at his favourite chicken soup restaurant in Seoul this week as he observes coronavirus distancing but he'll still enjoy the dish, made for him at the U.S. ambassador's home.

Biegun arrived on Tuesday to consult South Korean officials on ways to reopen negotiations aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear programme.

On previous visits, Biegun has been spotted at a no-frills Korean chicken soup restaurant, the Bonga Dak Hanmari, or Original Chicken Soup House, near the hotel where he stays, drawing crowds of reporters hoping for a scoop.

On this visit, concern about the novel coronavirus means he won't be dining at the restaurant but it has arranged to make the soup for him at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris on Thursday, three diplomatic sources said. They declined to be identified, citing a private event.

The U.S. embassy declined to comment.

The soup, made from a whole chicken slowly cooked in a tasty broth, is Korean comfort food and reminds Biegun of his Polish mother's cooking, one of the sources said.

"He once said he'd sleep well if he eats there on his first night," the source said.

The restaurant has put up a newspaper photograph of Biegun dining there on one of his earlier visits.

"So many people like journalists come to try it," a member of staff said.

"We're just happy he enjoys our food." (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin Editing by Robert Birsel)