When the summer heat reaches its peak in Korea, locals don’t just reach for iced drinks and air conditioning. Instead, they fight fire with fire. The temperature has been rising these days in Korea and the dog days are approaching. During 복날 (boknal), also known as the three hottest days of the year, Koreans turn to hot, hearty dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to cool down.
It might sound strange at first, but the belief behind this tradition is rooted in restoring the body’s energy. Sweating from warm food is thought to help balance internal temperature and boost stamina that gets drained by the sweltering heat and humidity.
On chobok (beginning), jungbok (middle), and malbok (end) days, it’s common to see long lines outside restaurants serving hot soups and stews. Samgyetang, a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng, jujube, and garlic, is the most iconic pick! Other popular options include galbitang (beef short rib soup) or yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).
This seasonal food culture is not just about nourishment but it’s also about tradition and gathering. Families, coworkers, and friends often come together to share a steaming bowl, with sweat rolling down everyone's foreheads.
So if you find yourself in Korea during the hottest weeks of summer, don’t be surprised when someone invites you to eat a boiling bowl of soup. It’s all part of the local wisdom, and it's a chance for you to finally partake in fighting fire with fire!
Photo by Yoona Kang, hapskorea.com
When the summer heat reaches its peak in Korea, locals don’t just reach for iced drinks and air conditioning. Instead, they fight fire with fire. The temperature has been rising these days in Korea and the dog days are approaching. During 복날 (boknal), also known as the three hottest days of the year, Koreans turn to hot, hearty dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to cool down.
It might sound strange at first, but the belief behind this tradition is rooted in restoring the body’s energy. Sweating from warm food is thought to help balance internal temperature and boost stamina that gets drained by the sweltering heat and humidity.
On chobok (beginning), jungbok (middle), and malbok (end) days, it’s common to see long lines outside restaurants serving hot soups and stews. Samgyetang, a whole young chicken stuffed with rice, ginseng, jujube, and garlic, is the most iconic pick! Other popular options include galbitang (beef short rib soup) or yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).
This seasonal food culture is not just about nourishment but it’s also about tradition and gathering. Families, coworkers, and friends often come together to share a steaming bowl, with sweat rolling down everyone's foreheads.
So if you find yourself in Korea during the hottest weeks of summer, don’t be surprised when someone invites you to eat a boiling bowl of soup. It’s all part of the local wisdom, and it's a chance for you to finally partake in fighting fire with fire!