Best Korean Summer Foods to Try: Naengmyeon, Bingsu & Samgyetang
The best Korean summer foods to try: cold naengmyeon noodles, shaved-ice bingsu, and hot samgyetang chicken soup. What each dish is, where to eat it, and how to order.
Korea's summer food is built around two ideas: cooling down with icy dishes like naengmyeon and bingsu, and "fighting heat with heat" using hot, restorative soups like samgyetang. If you visit between June and August, these are the dishes locals actually eat. This guide explains what each one is, how to order it, and where to find the best versions.
Quick Answer: Try cold buckwheat noodles (naengmyeon), shaved-ice dessert (bingsu), and ginseng chicken soup (samgyetang). Naengmyeon comes in a cold broth (mul) or spicy-mixed (bibim) style; bingsu is shared from one big bowl; and samgyetang is eaten on the hottest days of boknal to restore energy.
The Essential Korean Summer Dishes
| Dish | What it is | Type | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naengmyeon (냉면) | Cold buckwheat noodles in icy broth or spicy sauce | Savory, cold | 10,000–16,000 KRW |
| Bingsu (빙수) | Shaved ice with red bean, fruit, or matcha | Dessert, cold | 8,000–18,000 KRW (shared) |
| Samgyetang (삼계탕) | Whole young chicken stuffed with rice & ginseng | Hot soup | 16,000–20,000 KRW |
| Kongguksu (콩국수) | Noodles in chilled soybean broth | Savory, cold | 10,000–14,000 KRW |
| Mul-hoe (물회) | Cold raw-fish soup (coastal specialty) | Savory, cold | 15,000–25,000 KRW |
What Is Naengmyeon and How Do You Order It?
Naengmyeon is chewy buckwheat noodles served ice-cold. There are two main styles:
- Mul-naengmyeon — in a tangy, slushy cold broth, often with a slice of pear, egg, and beef.
- Bibim-naengmyeon — no broth, tossed in a sweet-spicy chili sauce.
Order by saying the style name. Staff usually bring scissors to cut the long noodles, and a side of hot broth — both are normal. Add a splash of vinegar and mustard (yeon-gyeoja) to taste.
What Is Bingsu — and How Is It Eaten?
Bingsu is a mountain of finely shaved ice topped with sweet red bean (pat-bingsu), fresh fruit, matcha, or injeolmi rice cake. It's a shared dessert — one large bowl for a table of two to four, eaten with multiple spoons. Café chains and dessert specialists each have signature versions; expect to pay more for premium fruit toppings.
Why Eat Hot Soup in Summer? (Samgyetang & Boknal)
Koreans observe three of the hottest days of summer called boknal (복날), when eating hot, nourishing samgyetang — a whole young chicken simmered with ginseng, garlic, and glutinous rice — is believed to restore stamina lost to the heat. Restaurants famous for samgyetang see long lines on these days. It's the clearest example of the Korean idea of iyeolchiyeol: "fight heat with heat."
Frequently Asked Questions
What Korean food should I eat in summer? The classics are cold naengmyeon noodles, shaved-ice bingsu for dessert, and hot samgyetang ginseng chicken soup. Kongguksu (cold soybean noodles) and coastal mul-hoe are also summer favorites.
What is the difference between mul-naengmyeon and bibim-naengmyeon? Mul-naengmyeon is served in a cold, tangy broth; bibim-naengmyeon has no broth and is mixed with a sweet-spicy chili sauce.
Is bingsu meant to be shared? Yes. Bingsu is usually served in one large bowl for the whole table, eaten with several spoons.
Why do Koreans eat hot chicken soup in summer?
On the hottest days (boknal), eating hot samgyetang is a tradition believed to restore energy — "fighting heat with heat."
Planning Your Trip with Handled
Korea's most famous summer-food spots often have Korean-only menus, long boknal lines, or reservation systems foreigners can't easily use. Handled Pro matches you with the right restaurants for each dish, handles the booking, and briefs you on how to order like a local.
Dish descriptions and price ranges reflect typical 2026 conditions. Prices vary by restaurant and region — confirm locally.
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