Traveling Korea in Summer?
Don’t Miss the Unique Boknal Experience!

If you’re visiting Korea during the summer, you’re in for a truly unique cultural experience — Boknal (복날). These are Korea’s three hottest days of the year, and they come with special traditions, especially when it comes to food. Let’s explore what Boknal is and the delicious ways locals cope with the summer heat!

1. What is Boknal? Korea’s Hottest Days of Summer

Boknal refers to three specific days in the Korean lunar calendar that mark the peak of summer heat. These days are known as Chobok (Beginning), Jungbok (Middle), and Malbok (End), and they usually fall between mid-July and mid-August. Together, they are referred to as Sambok, or the “Three Bok Days.”

📅 In 2025, the dates are:

- Chobok (초복) – July 20
- Jungbok (중복) – July 30
- Malbok (말복) – August 9

Traditionally, these days are considered the most exhausting time of year, when people are vulnerable to heat fatigue and energy loss. To combat this, Koreans developed the custom of eating nutrient-rich foods to restore stamina.

What surprises many visitors is that on these sweltering days, Koreans often eat steaming hot soup. This practice comes from the idea of “Iyeolchiyeol” (이열치열), which means “fighting heat with heat.” By raising the body’s internal temperature with hot food and sweating, the body can cool itself more effectively.

2. What Do Koreans Eat on Boknal?

• 🍲 Samgyetang (삼계탕) – Ginseng Chicken Soup

  A whole young chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, jujube, and Korean ginseng, then boiled to perfection.
  It’s known for being nutritious, not spicy, and has a mild, savory broth that comforts the body and soul.
  📍 Find Samgyetang restaurants near you (Google Maps)

• 🐟 Jangeo-gui (장어구이) – Grilled Eel

  Eel is believed to boost stamina and energy. It’s usually grilled with either salt (for a clean taste) or soy-based sauce, though spicy versions also exist.
  📍 Find grilled eel spots near you (Google Maps)

• 🐟 Chueotang (추어탕) – Mudfish Soup

  Made with mudfish, a small freshwater fish rich in nutrients. The soup has a deep, earthy flavor and is often seasoned with perilla powder or chili paste depending on the region.
  📍 Search Chueotang restaurants near you (Google Maps)

• 🥛 Kongguksu (콩국수) – Cold Soybean Noodle Soup

  A refreshing cold noodle dish served in thick, creamy soy milk broth. It’s a popular vegetarian-friendly option during the summer months.
  📍 Find Kongguksu near you (Google Maps)

• 🍉 Watermelon (수박)

  No Korean summer is complete without sweet, juicy watermelon. It’s a favorite snack or dessert after a Boknal meal.

3. Boknal in Daily Life – Long Lines and Chicken Craze

On Boknal, Samgyetang restaurants often have long lines, and people even buy it in advance or cook it at home. But that’s not all — fried chicken and roasted chicken sales also skyrocket on these days. Even if people don’t eat Samgyetang, they still feel that eating chicken in some form helps beat the heat.

4. Want to Try It Yourself?

If you’re in Korea this summer, why not join the tradition?
Search “Samgyetang” or “Boknal food” on Google Maps or Naver Map and find a local restaurant near your area.
It’s a tasty and memorable way to experience Korean culture — while cooling down by heating up!