SEOUL, August 06 (AJP) - As the summer heat grips the Korean Peninsula, many find themselves turning to food not just for nourishment but for revival.
And while the instinct may be to cool down with icy treats or chilled dishes, Korean tradition takes a different path: when it gets hot, the food gets hotter.
Contrary to expectations, Korea’s summer stamina foods — or boyangshik — are served steaming. Rooted in centuries of traditional medicine and culinary wisdom, these dishes are designed to replenish energy drained by heat and humidity, using hot broths and nutrient-rich ingredients to invigorate the body from within.
Among the most iconic of these is samgyetang, a restorative ginseng chicken soup.
Widely known even among international diners, the dish features a young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, jujubes, garlic, and herbal ingredients, all simmered to tender perfection in a rich, warming broth.
Another classic is chueotang, a loach soup prized for its hearty, earthy flavor. Made by boiling and blending loach — a small freshwater fish — the dish is thickened into a deeply savory broth, often seasoned with soybean paste and red chili paste to mask any fishy odor.
Radish greens and scallions are added to enhance its depth. The result is a rustic, comforting bowl with a nutty, spicy edge. High in protein and calcium, the dish is often recommended for bone health.
Grilled eel, or jangeo-gui, rounds out the trio of summer staples. Long considered a luxury stamina food, eel is rich and buttery yet surprisingly clean in flavor.
Typically paired with ginger and a slightly sweet soy-based glaze, it is not only a delicacy but also a nutritional powerhouse — high in protein, vitamins A and E for skin health, and unsaturated fats believed to help prevent chronic illnesses.
While each dish carries its own history and flavor, what unites them is their purpose: to restore balance and strength when the body is under seasonal strain.
With a range of variations tailored to different tastes and constitutions, Korea’s summer cuisine offers more than just relief — it offers resilience, one hot bowl at a time.
reporter
Han Jun-gu
jungu141298@ajupress.com
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