As the temperatures in Seoul start climbing up into the high 30s this weekend, there’s one equally hot dish that’s sure to be served up: Samgyetang, or chicken ginseng soup.
A warming chicken soup might seem better suited to winter, but this soup is thought to beat the heat fatigue by increasing your own personal body heat and boosting your energy levels. This idea, with its roots in ancient Korean medicine, is called ‘Yi Yeol Chi Yeol,’ or fighting heat with heat.
The basic ingredients of Samgyetang include a whole young chicken, sweet rice, and a delicious mix of spices and herbs. Easily found in restaurants across Seoul, it’s a particular favourite on three days of summer, the hottest according to the lunar calendar, known as Chobok (the beginning), Jungbok (the middle) and Malbok (the end).
You can rustle it up at home too: try this straightforward recipe which has a photo guide to dealing with the chicken, and helpful to links to information about all the herbs.
Stay cool!
