“Why Koreans Eat Hot Soup in the Summer”

Why Do Koreans Eat Hot Soup in the Summer?

Summer in Korea is hot — humid, sticky, and sometimes unbearable. So why do Koreans choose to eat boiling hot soups when the temperature is over 30°C (86°F)?

This might sound strange to many foreigners, but there’s a deep cultural and even medical reason behind it. Let’s unpack this steamy tradition.

🔥 1. What Do Koreans Eat in Summer?

During the hottest days of summer — called “Sambok (삼복)” — Koreans eat foods like:

• 🐔 Samgyetang (삼계탕): Ginseng chicken soup with rice inside the chicken
• 🐮 Yukgaejang (육개장): Spicy beef soup with vegetables
• 🍲 Dwenjang-guk (된장국): Soybean paste soup

All of them are served hot, steaming, and spicy — even in July and August.

🌡️ 2. The Concept of “이열치열” (Yi-Yeol-Chi-Yeol)

The Korean saying “이열치열” means “fight heat with heat.” It’s a traditional belief that eating hot foods during summer actually helps balance your body temperature.

Instead of cooling the body from the outside (like with cold drinks), Koreans believe in building inner strength and sweating out toxins — boosting circulation and digestion.

🌿 3. Health Benefits of Samgyetang

Samgyetang is more than just soup — it’s considered medicinal food (보양식). Typical ingredients include:

• 🧄 Garlic – boosts immunity
• 🧅 Jujube – improves blood circulation
• 🌿 Ginseng – fights fatigue and heat exhaustion

This “healing meal” helps people recover energy during the draining summer months.

😅 4. But... Isn’t It Uncomfortable?

Yes — people sweat while eating it! But that’s actually the goal: to detoxify, refresh, and cool off after the meal. The post-soup relief is almost like a sauna effect.

💬 5. What Tourists Should Know

If you visit Korea in the summer, don’t be surprised to see people lining up outside restaurants serving steaming soups. It’s not a mistake — it’s a cultural ritual.

Trying samgyetang on a hot day can be a unique and memorable experience. Just bring a small towel and enjoy the sweat!

✅ Final Thoughts

Koreans eat hot soup in summer not despite the heat — but because of it. It’s a reflection of Eastern health philosophy, tradition, and resilience.

So next time you're in Korea during a heatwave, skip the smoothie and try the soup — your body (and maybe your soul) will thank you.

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