It’s almost September, but Seoul‘s heatwave isn’t backing down. They say if you can’t beat it, enjoy it! Luckily, there’s plenty of delicious food to help you cool off. Check out our guide to discover the best eats in Seoul for beating the heat!
1. Samgyetang
“Tang” in Korean refers to hot soup. Now, hold up, you might think we’re out of our minds for recommending a hot soup in this horrendous weather where you drip with sweat even while staying still, but hear us out! In Korea, there’s a famous idiom called “iyeolchiyeol”, which means to “fight heat with heat”, basically meaning you beat the heat by eating hot food! It’s actually pretty effective, so eat like a local by trying famous hot (literally) summer foods.
The first on the list is samgyetang, a soup that features a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, dates, and ginseng.
- Recommended Spot 1: Tosokchon
- Address: Tosokchon, 5 Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00 (Last Order 21:00)
- Recommended Menu: Tosokchon Samgyetang (20,000 KRW), Otgyetang (Lacquer Chicken Soup) (20,ooo KRW)
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Housed in a traditional hanok, Tosokchon Samgyetang has been serving samgyetang with a rich, nutty broth since 1983. Pair with their famous kimchi and complementary ginseng liquor for the perfect meal.
- Recommended Spot 2: Goryeo Samgyetang
- Address: 1 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-21:00, Sat-Sun 10:30-20:30
- Recommended Menu: Samgyetang (20,000 KRW), Sansam Samgyetang (26,ooo KRW)
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Goryeo Samgyetang is a Michelin-recognized restaurant in Seoul known for its traditional, rich ginseng chicken soup made with young chickens for a tender, flavorful experience, making it a top spot for authentic samgyetang lovers.
- Recommended Spot 3: Jeonbok Samgyetang
- Address: 18 B1, Eonju-ro 133-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-21:40 (Last Order 21:10)
- Recommended Menu: Jeonbok Samgyetang (21,000 KRW), Abalone & Dried Pollak Porridge (15,ooo KRW)
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Jeonbok Samgyetang is a luxurious twist on traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup, featuring tender chicken simmered with nutrient-rich abalone for added flavor and health benefits.
2. Chogye-guksu
For those who prefer a cold dish, try out Chogye-guksu, a refreshing Korean dish featuring chilled buckwheat noodles topped with tender shredded chicken, served in a tangy cold broth seasoned with vinegar and mustard! This light and zesty noodle soup cools you down while delivering comforting flavors.
- Recommended Spot: Woori Dakgomtang
- Address: 1F, 256 Dokmak-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-20:00 (Breaktime 15:00-16:30, Last Order 19:30)(Sun Off)
- Recommended Menu: Dakgomtang (7,000 KRW), Chogye-guksu (9,ooo KRW)
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Woori Dakgomtang is known for its hearty and flavorful chicken soup year-round, as well as their delicious Chogye-guksu during the sweltering summers.
- Recommended Spot: Misari Milbit Chogye-guksu
- Address: 608, Misadae-ro, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-21:00
- Recommended Menu: Chogye-guksau (13,000 KRW), Chogye-bibim-guksu (13,000 KRW)
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Misari Milbit Chogye Guksu is a well-known Korean restaurant chain, most famous for serving chogye guksu, a refreshing cold chicken noodle soup with a tangy, sweet broth flavored with vinegar and mustard, and topped with shredded chicken, julienned pear, and cucumber. The chain has several branches, with the main branch located in Hanam, Gyeonggi-do. The restaurant is large, spacious, and designed to look grand on the outside, while the interior retains a traditional Korean atmosphere.
3. Bingsu
Bingsu is the ultimate Korean summer lifesaver-imagine a mountain of fluffy, finely shaved ice topped with ingredients like sweet red beans, fresh fruit, condensed milk, and sometimes even a scoop of creamy ice cream. It’s like a snowstorm in your mouth that instantly cools you down and sweetens up your day.
- Recommended Spot 1: Euljiro Jeokdang
- Address: 1F, back door, 29 Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 10:00-21:30 (Last Order 21:00)
- Recommended Menu: Makgeolli Bingsu (15,000 KRW), Pat Bingsu(17,ooo KRW)
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Euljiro Jeokdang is famous for its unique makgeolli bingsu, a refreshing twist on classic shaved ice infused with the subtle, tangy flavor of traditional Korean rice wine. This creamy, boozy dessert perfectly balances sweet and slightly fermented notes, making it a standout summer treat in Seoul. Also, make sure you try their jelly desserts (“yanggaeng”)!
- Recommended Spot 2: Sulbing
- Address: 1F, 42 Teheran-ro 1-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 11:30-22:00 (Last Order 21:30)
- Recommended Menu: Injeolmi Bingsu (9,900 KRW), Apple Mango Cheese Bingsu (14,5oo KRW)
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Founded in 2013 and now with hundreds of locations nationwide, Sulbing is the GOAT of bingsu. With a multitude of bingsu flavors like their bestselling injeolmi (soybean rice cake), blueberry cheesecake, Oreo, and more, this spot is perfect for anyone looking to cool down with a sweet, snowy treat anytime.
- Recommended Spot 3: Boobing
- Address: 3-4 Bukchon-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 13:00-18:00 (Last Order 17:30)
- Recommended Menu: Pat Bingsu (11,000-19,000 KRW), Strawberry Bingsu (15,0oo KRW), Caramel Bingsu (12,000-21,000 KRW)
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Boobingis a trendy dessert cafe known for its gourmet bingsu made with finely shaved milk ice and seasonal toppings. They offer unique flavors like sweet corn, caramel, melon, and pistachio bingsu that delight both locals and tourists. Just looking at these bingsus will make you feel cold!
4. Naengmyeon
Naengmyeon is a Korean cold noodle dish served in icy broth or mixed with spicy sauce, coming in two delicious varieties. Pyeongyang naengmyeon features soft buckwheat noodles in a mild, clear beef broth with delicate toppings like sliced beef and pickled radish. Hamheung naengmyeon uses chewier sweet potato starch noodles, tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce for a bolder flavor.
- Recommended Spot 1: Pyeongyang Myunok
- Address: 207 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 11:00-21:30 (Last Order 21:00) (Mon Off)
- Recommended Menu: Naengmyeon (15,000 KRW), Bibim Naengmyeon (15,ooo KRW)
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Pyeongyang Myeonok is a classic spot in Seoul known for its delicate and refreshing Pyongyang-style naengmyeon. Their clear broth and chewy buckwheat noodles pair perfectly with hearty jaeyuk (boiled pork slices) or sweet, savory bulgogi.
- Recommended Spot 2: Obok Hamheung Naengmyeon
- Address: 1F, 4 Hangang-daero 84-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Wed-Mon 11:00-23:00 (Breaktime 16:00-17:00)(Last Order 15:30)(Tues Off)
- Recommended Menu: Seafood Naengmyeon (12,000 KRW), Bibim Naengmyeon (11,ooo KRW), Mul Naengmyeon (11,ooo KRW)
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Obok Hamheung Naengmyeon serves up chewy sweet potato noodles that dance on your tongue with every bite. Their spicy, tangy sauce packs a punch, perfectly balancing the fresh, cool vibe of this summer favorite. Add some raw fish on top, and you’ve got a cold noodle fiesta that’s seriously addictive!
5. Chimaek
Chimaek is a legendary Korean combo of crispy fried chicken and ice-cold beer that’s basically summer in a bite and a sip! The crispy, juicy chicken satisfies your cravings while the refreshing beer cools you down from the heat. Whether at a rooftop or street corner, it’s the ultimate chill-out feast for beating the summer scorch in style.
- Recommended Spot 1: Songdo Beer Festival
- Address: 350 Central-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon (Kakao Maps)
- Festival period: Aug 22 (Fri) – Aug 30 (Sat)
- Anticipated Performer Line-up: Ailee, Dynamic Duo, Skull & Haha, Kim Bumsoo, and more
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The Songdo Beer Festival is the ultimate summer hangout, blending live music, street food, and endless craft beers in a vibrant outdoor setting. It’s the perfect spot to indulge in chimaek while you soak up the fun vibes with friends.
- Recommended Spot 2: Norang Tongdak
- Address: 107, Dongsan Shopping Center, 15, Sanbon-ro 323beongil, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 11:00-23:00
- Recommended Menu: Dakgangjeong (12,600 KRW~), Ddeokbeokki (5,000KRW~)
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Norang Tongdak is a beloved Korean fried chicken chain known for its crispy, flavorful chicken made with a special recipe. With over 750 locations across Korea, you can satisfy your chicken cravings wherever you are!
- Recommended Spot 3: Kkanbu Chicken
- Address: 1F, 37 Nonhyeon-ro 85-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Kakao Maps)
- Opening Hours: Daily 14:00-24:00
- Recommended Menu: Crispy Boneless Chicken (22,000 KRW~), Crispy Curry Chicken (23,000KRW~)
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Founded in 2006, Kkanbu Chicken is a popular fried chicken chain known for its crispy, flavorful chicken with a variety of tasty sauces. It’s beloved for offering options like garlic soy, spicy soy, and crispy fried chicken that make chicken fanatics swoon.
Check out more summer activities in Korea:
- Perfect Summer Getaways in Korea
- Hangang River E-land Ferry Cruise (Day & Night) – from Yeouido/ Jamsil
- Hangang River Kayaking / Paddle Boarding / Windsurfing
- Hangang Park Picnic Tent & Mat Rental in Yeouido/Ttukseom
