Favorite Korean things to do in the Seoul summer heat
Korean summers are not my favorite. The sweat and stickiness from extreme heat. The torrential downpours during rainy season. Bigger pores! And especially the muggy dense humidity that makes me feel like I’m swimming through a giant cheesecake. Though Korea is undoubtedly a fun place to visit, summers here can get uncomfortable.
However, there are some things unique to Korean summers that I do love!
Rooftop Cafes
Rooftop cafes definitely capture a chill Seoul summer vibe. You can catch a nice breeze (despite the extreme weather) while getting a striking view of the city line or sunset. I love the rooftop cafes in Seoul’s Haebangchon area because they make a pretty relaxing and quiet hangout spot for summer nights.
Pai 762 is a kitsch Southeast Asia travel themed cafe-bar that locals frequent to watch the sunset over Seoul. I’m a regular here!
Korean Summer Foods
Does your culture have foods that are decisively ‘summer’ and don’t happen to be desserts? Traditionally, Korean Samgyetang (hot ginseng chicken soup) is regarded as a summer dish, despite it being boiling hot. Why? Koreans have an old saying to ‘fight heat with heat’ because eating hot soup lowers your body heat through the process of emitting sweat.
I recommend the famous Goryeo Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul. They even offer a shot of ginseng Soju with your food!
Image Source: Korea.net
However, many turn to Nengmyun (cold noodles) in the summertime despite the traditional body heat balancing ways. Cold, tangy beef broth is served in a stainless steel bowl with buckwheat noodles. Many bowls come with chunks of ice for extra cooling. This is definitely my go-to summer lunch.
Gangnam Myeonok has the best Nengmyun hands down! I finished the bowl clean, even the broth.
Can’t talk about Korean summer food without mentioning bingsu (Korean shaved ice) and Korean Baskin Robbins.
Korean shaved ice traditionally has rice cakes, sweet red bean paste, and condensed milk but now they offer so many different flavors like green tea, chocolate, blueberry, etc.!
Sulbing (“Korean Dessert Cafe” in English) is where I take friends visiting Korea. Their ice is finely shaved like snow and they offer seasonal specials like Macaron Bingsu.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Korean Baskin Robbins is a must! I know Baskin Robbins is originally from the US so it’s really a mystery why Korean Baskin Robbins tastes a million times better and creamier. They offer so many more flavors too. I get indecisive with flavors like Black Lemon Sorbet, Green Tea & Chocolate Swirl, Apple Mango, Walnut, Strawberry Cheesecake, etc.
Waterbomb Festival
Korea has so many unique festivals year-round and the Waterbomb Festival is one of them. Somebody woke up one day and decided that a music festival and massive water gun fight would go well together. And they do. It’s a fun way to cool off with your friends and an interesting twist to seeing your favorite artist in concert.
What are some things you would do if you could spend a summer in Seoul?
[wps_products titles=”A by BOM Blue Cica Azulene Dew Soothing Hydration Cream, Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel, Soothe & Hydrate Set” limit=”4″]
