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※ The actual region of the content is selected.It's summertime here in Seoul, and you know what that means - the combination of heat and humidity is intense! I don’t know what the weather is like back where you are, but summer is at full throttle here in South Korea's capital. Don’t let that scare you though! Seoul has plenty of options available for you to stay cool while exploring the city. And I bet you'll never guess what some of those options are!
To get you prepared for your visit when the time comes, here are my personal top five summer dishes to help beat the heat! Maybe you can find a Korean restaurant near you that serves them, and you can see what you like best beforehand. Once you arrive, I'll be with you in spirit as you venture through the city to sample these distinctive summer delights to your heart's content!
Samgyetang
[Ginseng Chicken Soup]
While it may sound counterintuitive, we eat hot food in hot weather. In Korea, we say iyeolchiyeol, or “fight fire with fire". In the summer, we eat hot, nutrient-dense meals like Samgyetang to relieve exhaustion. Made with a whole young chicken stuffed with delicious spices like ginseng and garlic, the soup also contains sweet jujubes, or dates, and tender rice in the mix.
"This samgyetang is from one of my favorite restaurants in Seoul!"
Kongguksu
[Cold Soybean Soup]
Kongguksu is served in a cold soy milk broth to help cool down the body during the summer. The noodles are made with wheat flour, broth with ground soybeans and water. Roasted nuts and sesame seeds are added for a nutty aroma and flavor. The soup is mild in taste, making it a great choice for anyone who prefers a subtle, cool taste rather than hot and spicy.
"The roasted nuts really complement the soy milk broth."
Naengmyeon
[Cold Noodles]
Naengmyeon’s tender noodles made from buckwheat is soaked in cold beef broth. The soup is topped with pear slices, cucumber, meat, and boiled egg. This dish was originally prepared during the winters in North Korea. Today, regardless of the time of year, this refreshing and hearty dish is most loved in the summer!
"The pear adds a nice, sweet balance to this naengmyeon."
Makguksu
[Buckwheat Noodles]
Buckwheat noodles, or makguksu, is served in a bowl with chilled beef broth and seasoned to taste with condiments like mustard oil, vinegar, and sesame seeds. Makguksu is a signature dish in Gangwon-do Province, but you can find it all over Seoul, too.
"Going for a bite – I think you’ll like this one a lot!"
Jangeo-gui
[Grilled Eel]
Jangeo-gui, or grilled eel is traditionally prepared in restaurants over a grill in the center of the table. The eel is grilled, then wrapped up with ginger in lettuce leaves. Eel is loaded with vitamins and other nutrients that help keep the body fueled during Seoul’s hot summer days.
"The grill brings out so much flavor! I can’t wait to wrap them up."
I hope your stomach is rumbling and ready to try out some of these Korean summertime classics! With a little luck on our side, we’ll put the pandemic behind us and you'll venture around the city, staying cool with serving of some cold noodles! Or if you're gutsy enough, maybe even fight a little “fire with fire” with a hot, nourishing bowl of samgyetang ! Until that day comes, my heart goes out to you. It's not easy when you're missing Seoul.
Okay, my hunger is definitely starting to kick in! I think I could do with a nice, cold bowl of naengmyeon right about now.
Talk to you soon :)
Your Seoulite Friend
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