Why South Koreans eat boiling hot soup during the hottest days of summer

Samgyetang helps restore vital strength that is lost in the most sweltering days of summer

Last updated: July 17, 2020 | 16:05

Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

2 MIN READ

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South Korea marks 'Chobok', the first day of what is traditionally known as the hottest period of the year during which a warm chicken and ginseng soup, known as 'samgyetang', is typically consumed.

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Samgyetang consists primarily of a whole young chicken filled with garlic, rice, jujube, and ginseng.

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A staff member carries a tray of chicken and ginseng soup dishes known as 'samgyetang', at the Tosokchon Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul.

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Koreans turn to samgyetang to give them inner strength and restore their loss of stamina.

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A staff member carries a tray of chicken and ginseng soup dishes known as 'samgyetang', at the Tosokchon Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul.

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Customers queue outside the Tosokchon Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul.

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Restaurant staff serve a chicken and ginseng soup known as 'samgyetang', at the Tosokchon Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul.

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Customers queue at the Tosokchon Samgyetang restaurant in Seoul.

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