FoodTraditional use
Bone Broth
Seolleongtang, tori paitan, and long-simmered stocks
- Category
- Food
- Evidence
- Traditional use
- Used
- In the kitchen
- In the library
- Book II, Chapter 4
- Pairs with
- Miso, Black Sesame
Overview
Long-simmered broths such as Korean seolleongtang — the traditional 'collagen from the source' — rich in gelatin, glycine, and minerals.
What it is
In Seoul, cauldrons of ox bone soup simmer for over a day. The result is a milky, gelatin-rich broth that generations have associated with strength, recovery, and supple skin.
Book II treats broth as the main event — a therapeutic delivery system rather than a starter.
How it works
- Slow simmering extracts collagen as gelatin, along with glycine, proline, and minerals.
- Trials of collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) have reported modest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity; whether broth delivers comparable amounts is uncertain and variable.
Potential benefits
- Gelatin, amino acids, and minerals in a comforting form
- A foundation for soups, congee, and ferment-rich meals
- A slow, restorative kitchen ritual
Potential benefits describe what research and use suggest may occur for many people — not guaranteed outcomes. Individual responses vary.
Who might consider it
- Readers focused on firmness and healthy aging through food
- Anyone building a weekly cooking rhythm
How it’s used
- Simmer bones 12–24 hours; skim; season lightly. Freeze in portions.
- Use as the base for miso soup, congee, or noodle bowls.
Pairing with other ingredients
- MisoBroth base plus ferment.
- Black SesameSesame-topped congee on broth is a Book II breakfast.
Things to know
- Collagen content varies widely by bones, time, and method — broth is nourishing but not a measured supplement.
- Vegetarian alternatives (kombu-shiitake dashi) provide minerals and umami without collagen.
Research
References & further reading
- 01
Oral collagen supplementation and skin: a systematic review
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2019
Evidence concerns hydrolyzed collagen peptides, not broth directly.
Art of Radiance distinguishes established evidence from emerging research and traditional practice. Read our science & sources approach.