Say What?! Episode 3: Hot Soup in Summer?

This week’s Say What?! Wednesday is about how weather and food are related in Korea. Koreans are very proud that they have 4 distinct seasons, but there are a few other “mini-seasons” in Korea that are worth noting! I mention several korean words in the video, and I’ll try to explain them clearly here.

In this video I talk about 복날 (Boknal), a month long weather pattern indicating the hottest part of the summer. There are 3 special days during 복날 (Boknal), the first is 초복 (Cho-bok), then 중복(Joong-bok), and 말복 (Mal-bok). As I mentioned in the video, this past Saturday (7/13) was 초복 Cho-bok!

It is common for people to eat hot dishes on these days, including 삼계탕(chicken ginseng soup), 팥죽(red bean porridge), and less commonly 보신탕(dog soup). These foods are said to replenish your body with energy and stamina needed to endure the heat. There is a Korean phrase that describes this belief, “이열치열”, which means to relieve heat with heat. This belief does exist in many countries, and I even remember being told that its better to take hot showers when I’m hot in the summer.

It’s interesting to think about, but I still think I prefer cool, refreshing things in the summer! :P

Koreans DO eat a lot of ice cream, watermelon, and patbingsu in the summer too, so don’t get the wrong idea!

Do you have any beliefs like this in your country? Let us know in the comments! What is your favorite thing to eat on a really hot day?



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