Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Hotels roll out stamina-boosting summer menus to combat sweltering heat
Summer stamina-boosting dishes at Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts / Courtesy of Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts
By Lee Hae-rin
Reimagining tradition: modern 'boyang' dishes hit hotel kitchens
As Korea endures one of its hottest summers on record, major hotels nationwide are rolling out special summer stamina menus — a seasonal tradition designed to help patrons restore energy during the sweltering heat.
Koreans traditionally favor steaming, protein-rich dishes believed to replenish depleted energy during the dog days of summer over chilled dishes.
Korea has a tradition of "boknal," supposedly the three hottest days of summer between mid-July and mid-August, according to the lunar calendar. This year, those days fall on July 20, July 30 and Aug. 9.
Throughout the season, Koreans traditionally gather with friends and family to eat dishes to improve stamina, believing that “fighting heat with heat” helps the body persevere through high temperatures.
People line up in front of a restaurant in Seoul for summer samgyetang, a ginseng and rice-stuffed chicken soup on July 20, the first "boknal" of the year, when Koreans have hot dishes to replenish depleted energy. Yonhap
While some older customs, such as eating dog meat, have grown less common and are often debated, the prevailing tradition is focused more on restoring energy and celebrating with hearty, nutritious meals and outings to the countryside or mountains to escape the heat.
Blending culinary heritage with modern flair, hotels are putting a modern spin on the nation’s time-honored tradition at accessible prices, with many menu items under 100,000 won ($72).
Andaz Seoul Gangnam is putting a creative spin on Korean comfort food at Jogakbo Kitchen. The featured dishes include the Yeongju-style chilhyanggye baeksuk, a gently steamed chicken dish enhanced by seven aromatics like bellflower root and perilla oil, and a Mokpo croaker pancake paired with seasonal greens.
The highlight is charcoal-grilled freshwater eel, brushed with licorice-infused soy sauce and served alongside Korean abalone, reflecting both tradition and a contemporary palate.
Summer stamina-boosting dishes at Andaz Seoul Gangnam's restaurant Jogakbo Kitchen / Courtesy of Andaz Seoul Gangnam
Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas brings the expertise of Oh Jun-tak, a chef who starred in the Netflix original “Culinary Class Wars” under the pseudonym "Yeongtak," to its Grand Deli with two flavors of roast chicken-to-go — mala and lime chili.
Both are brined in natural mineral water and complemented by chef-made sauces, chicken lasagna and balsamic pickles. Packages are available for takeaway, with free delivery for orders in select Seoul districts.
Park Hyatt Busan caters to guests seeking a private dining experience with its “Summer Stamina” room service specials. Menu highlights include grilled eel over rice, marinated grilled beef short ribs and a boneless samgyetang — Korea’s quintessential ginseng chicken summer soup, featuring a delicate broth with stuffed rice, ginseng and abalone.
Summer stamina-boosting dishes at Park Hyatt Busan / Courtesy of Park Hyatt Busan
Walkerhill Hotels & Resorts embraces both tradition and innovation at several of its offerings. Restaurant Ondal’s weekday “Summer Survival” sets feature cold appetizers, nourishing rice porridge and robust black goat soup. In August, diners can expect roasted duck with sticky rice and Pyeongyang-style cold noodles.
Myeongwolgwan’s “samsamtang” — a restorative stew with abalone, octopus and ginseng — is also available, while Pizza Hill offers a seasonal pasta with French lamb and white doenjang ragu.
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul marks the three days of “boknal” with an exclusive stamina menu for members and hotel guests. Its herbal chicken and bamboo shoot ginseng soup, paired with abalone porridge and seasoned greens, is served for only three days each summer.
Summer stamina-boosting dishes at Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul / Courtesy of Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
Guests can also embark on a global gourmet journey at Seoul Dragon City, a landmark hotel complex in Seoul’s Yongsan District featuring four Accor Group brands — Grand Mercure, Novotel Suites, Novotel and Ibis Styles.
At FEI, a contemporary Chinese dining spot, guests can enjoy a summer course featuring Chinese summer specialties like roast Beijing duck, chilled Chinese noodles, savory oyster-sauce shark fin and sea cucumber.
At The Ribbon, Seoul Dragon City’s contemporary European restaurant, guests can savor the “Chef’s Vacation” summer course, featuring a choice of Icelandic-style grilled salmon or premium beef tenderloin, alongside a fresh fruit salad. The meal is rounded out with a Japanese-inspired vegetable burger and a classic peach melba, balancing seasonal freshness with global flavors.
Over at Unkai, Seoul Dragon City’s modern Japanese dining space, their signature eel rice bowls, the chef’s premium sushi selection and grilled saltwater eel are accompanied by seasonal seafood and vegetables. Each carefully crafted dish is designed to help guests recharge and enjoy Japan’s approach to summer nourishment in a refined setting.