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A bowl of samgyetang at the Korea House. The steamy hot chicken dish is a favorite to brush off the heat and frustratio of summer.
/ Korea Times photo
by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Han Sang-hee
Staff reporter
Put away your ice cream and turn to spice and steaming hot dishes for the summer. The hotter, the better.
Sometimes, to deal with the scorching weather during the summer, many people search for cold and refreshing snacks and dishes such as ``patbingsu'' (shaved ice with sweetened red beans), ``naengmyeon'' (buckwheat noodles served in a cold broth) or ice cream, but Koreans tend to follow the ancient saying ``iyeol chiyeol,'' which literally means ``control heat with heat.''
``If you consume cold food just because it is hot, your stomach and organs will get cold, possibly leading to flu. (Korean) ancestors understood this mechanism and ate warm or spicy food to protect the organs from getting too cold. When they ate naengmyeon, they would add some mustard, which is under the `hot' category of food, and would not drink cold water at once,'' said Kim Young-jo, Korean culture expert and director of the Green Pine Korean Culture Institute in his book ``31 Insights on Tasty Korean Culture.''
Scientifically, it's not a great idea to eat just cold food over and over again, as it will ruin your stomach and appetite in the long run.
Samgyetang: traditional favorite
The most famous summer ``boyangsik,'' or energy-booster, is ``samgyetang'' also known as chicken ginseng soup. The traditional dish is famous Korean fare and is a beloved recipe for both locals and foreigners, with its rich and hot chicken stew, soft meat and the delicate rice hidden inside the chicken.
``The ginseng used in samgyetang helps you regain your strength and energy after a long grueling summer day and it's also good in preventing cancer and for high blood pressure,'' said Yoon Sook-ja, director of the Institute of Traditional Korean Food.
Samgyetang is a common dish around the nation, but there are several places that are especially famous. Youngyang Center, which literally means ``nutrition center,'' offers samgyetang year-long. Their samgyetang costs 11,000 won and is located near Myeong-dong. For more information, call (02) 776-2015.
For a more traditional experience, pay a visit to Tosokchon located in Hyoja-dong, central Seoul. The restaurant is a renewed ``hanok," offering a cozier ambiance than other places. The most famous dish is the samgyetang with its rich stew and soft and juicy chicken and according to photographers, it is the first place they go when they need to take photos of people eating boyangsik in the summer. Call (02) 737-7444.
Stop by the Korea House near Mt. Nam for a fancier samgyetang experience. Consisting of a three-course meal, the samgyetang sold here may be a bit pricy (30,000 won), but it is a meaningful experience for tourists who want go for the whole traditional Korean package. The taste, however, was not that impressive considering the price, but it was different in that it was served in a course meal that included abalone, also good for the body on hot summer days. Visit www.koreahouse.or.kr.
The “yeonpotang” or the baby octopus stew is a favorite “boyangsik” or energy-booster for Koreans during the sizzling hot summer. / Korea Times file |
Spicy recipes to savor
Eating spicy food is a good way to combat the heat. There are various recipes and restaurants that offer such dishes and all you have to do is pick your favorite.
``Yukgaejang,'' or beef and leek soup, is an excellent choice, as not only is it spicy, but also includes healthy ingredients that will help you regain your strength. The beef helps comfort digestive organs, while the bracken ferns, leeks and garlic also help the overall immune system to get back on track. Numerous restaurants offer yukgaejang, but a famous one in Seoul is the 40-year-old Yukjeon Hoigwan in Mapo and Yongsan. For more information, visit www.yukjeon.com.
``Maeuntang,'' or spicy seafood stew, is another favorite. This particular dish goes well after a light meal of sushi or sashimi, and is usually served at Japanese restaurants, seafood markets and seafood restaurants. The main ingredients include fresh fish such as croaker, cod or catfish, various vegetables and a lot of spicy red pepper paste to add more heat.
``Nakji bokkeum,'' or spicy stir-fried baby octopus is also popular. Some foreigners may not be acquainted with octopus but it is a favorite among those who are looking for a quick, spicy and hot experience in a dish. Many Koreans enjoy mixing rice with the spicy red sauce, and it will get you sweating in no time. Mugyo-dong, northern Seoul, is especially famous for nakji bokkeum, and visitors can find streets full of restaurants selling it. For those who want something milder, try the ``galnaktang,'' a steamy clear stew consisted of nakji and ribs, or the ``yeonpotang,'' baby octopus stew.
For a more modern palate, visit Taco Bell which recently opened in Itaewon a week ago. The famous chain launched its special spicy menu, perfect for both Koreans and non-Koreans to take part in the ``iyeol chiyeol'' tradition in the summer.
The Soft Spicy Chicken Taco Supreme and the Spicy Chicken Crunch Wrap Supreme are the best items that will attack your taste buds instantly, while beginners can choose the level of spiciness depending on their preference. Visit www.tacobellkorea.com for more information.
If you're not sure which to eat first and don't want to be overwhelmed with all the options, start out with something simpler, such as ``tteokbokki'' or even kimchi. Switch from ice cream to something spicy, and you'll learn to beat the heat, Korean style.
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