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In Korea, there's a saying that goes, “In mid-summer, even a grain of cooked rice on the lips feels heavy.” It refers to the fact that people get exhausted easily, and putting up with even the smallest things, like a grain of rice, becomes arduous. This is why Koreans are eager to eat various energy-boosting foods in the summer: to regain vigor and strength. The rejuvenating dishes vary in the type of ingredients, from different meats and seafood, to cooking methods, whether it's a simple noodle dish or a steaming hot soup.

If you have lost your appetite or feel a bit lethargic due to the increasing summer heat, make sure you peruse through some of the tasty options below. Today, we introduce Seoul’s four flavors of summer that will help you beat the heat, bring back your appetite, and boost your energy.

The streets of Eulji-ro, Seoul, are always busy with a constant stream of foot traffic coming from densely packed office buildings and Myeong-dong, the shopping district of the capital. Nampo Myeonok is a traditional North Korean-style eatery that serves Pyeongyang naengmyeon. The hand-stained signboard and the beautiful hanok interior spell out how long the restaurant has remained in place. The fact that it has made it on to the Michelin Guide for six consecutive years, along with the many signatures left by former presidents, prove how celebrated the place is.

The most distinctive feature of the Pyeongyang naengmyeon served at Nampo Myeonok lies in the meat broth, which presents a refreshing taste by adding dongchimi (radish water kimchi) to the typical meat broth. At Nampo Myeonok, dongchimi is made every day and is closely monitored by the date of pickling. No wonder it is the greatest pride of Nampo Myeonok! Back during the Joseon Dynasty, Pyeongyang naengmyeon broth was different by season: pheasant broth in the summer and dongchimi broth in winter. The neatly-placed noodles simply garnished at the center of the clean and clear broth portray the traditional beauty of Korea.

Nampo Myeonok offers not only Pyeongyang naengmyeon, but other menu items, including mandu (dumplings), galbitang (short rib soup), and eobok jaengban (a sort of platter with boiled slices of meat). As the season climbs toward the height of summer, there are times when we are worn out by the heat that even eating feels tiresome. That moment is the perfect time for a bowl of one of the great delicacy's of the summer season, naengmyeon. Try it once, and you might find yourself hooked before you know it.

In Korea, bingsu (shaved ice) is a popular summer delight found in almost any place, from street stalls in open markets and franchise cafés, to dessert shops and even top-ranking hotels. There are plenty of varieties: the signature patbingsu; injeolmi bingsu, which is ice flakes topped with Korean traditional rice cakes; oreo bingsu, sprinkled with the famous chocolate sandwich cookie; tiramisu bingsu; and green tea bingsu. Among the different varieties, the most popular is bingsu topped with fruits, including mango, peaches, shine muscat, strawberries, and more. The combination of the shaved ice and refreshing fruits is mouthwatering - the taste of summer, indeed.

If you want to taste summer in Korea, stop by Rafre Fruit in Seongsu-dong, a dessert place that uses seasonal premium fruits as its base ingredient. At Rafre Fruit, frozen fruit and fruit syrup are not an option, and sugar cane is used instead of plain sugar. Plenty of lovely fruit desserts are available, from fruit bingsu, fruit cakes, and fruit smoothies, to fruit tarts, all made with fresh seasonal fruits. Mango bingsu, the signature menu made of Jeju-grown apple mangos, is also available in individual cups for patrons who find it too much to consume an entire bowl alone. Bingsu and cakes topped with peaches full of sweet juice are also available as a seasonal menu item in the summer.

Located at the entrance of Seoul Forest, Rafre Fruit offers a green outlook of the Forest through all of its glass windows. The outdoor terrace seats present a feeling of a mid-forest getaway, and furry friends are also welcomed. Take a walk in the leafy Seoul Forest to cool yourself from the scorching summer sun, then enjoy a sweet dessert with fresh, mouthwatering fruits. The cozy ambiance and sweet desserts only available at Rafre Fruit will comfort your weariness in the sweltering summer heat.

Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) is a traditional food made by sufficiently boiling a young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and medicinal ingredients, including ginseng, jujube, and chesnuts. Start by deboning and eating the chicken, gulp down the warm soup, then enjoy the soft and sticky porridge-like rice one spoon at a time to the last drop. You'll feel invigorated. Today, we introduce a must-eat place for samgyetang, the classic summer energy booster to replenish your body.

Since opening in Seocho Market in 1973, 3(Sam)dae Samgyejangin has been serving samgyetang for over three generations. It is also considered a must-eat place in Seoul that has been officially certified as a baeknyeon-gage (lit. 100-year store), which is awarded to businesses that have been in operation for more than three decades and are remain successful.

Three varieties of samgyetang are available at 3(Sam)dae Samgyejangin: pine nut, mung bean, and mugwort. Another popular menu among the younger crowds is the sous vide dak bokkeum tang (spicy braised chicken). Unlike other samgyetang places that stuff the glutinous rice in the whole chicken, the rice is served separately. At about halfway through the dish, plunge the separately served glutenous rice into the soup to enjoy the rest of the bowl as sweet, chewy rice porridge. As a heads up, you should expect long waits on special days, including during the bok-nal period.

If you’re feeling worn out by the summer heat, get yourself a bowl of samgyetang, one of the most popular energy boosters in Korea. Gobble down an entire bowl at 3(Sam)dae Samgyejangin and you'll be recharged, ready to go!

Traces of time are evident at the entrance of Yonggeumok. Once stepping into the restaurant, you will feel comforted by the elegance and coziness of hanoks. Patrons can choose between either floor seating or tables, whichever fits best to enjoy your meal to the fullest.

Two types of chueotang are available at Yonggeumok: the “Seoul-style whole" chueotang, where loaches in their entirety are boiled into something more like fish soup; and the “Namdo-style" chueotang that boils pureed or ground loaches for a soft and savory flavor. Unlike the common chueotang, the Seoul-style version offers a fresh yet rich flavor. Another delicacy to recommend is deep-fried loaches, where whole loaches are fried and crisply-served to your table.

Enjoy a bowl of energy-boosting chueotang prepared with high-quality ingredients and a caring heart at Yonggeumok, where they keep to their tradition of tasty recipes. Just one bowl will be enough to help get you through the rest of summer.