Culture

Beat the Heat: 7 Lesser-Known Korean Summer Foods You Need to Try

When the scorching Korean summer hits and you start losing a gallon of sweat every day, you can turn to the traditional knowledge hidden in regional Korean cuisine to keep you cool through the hottest days of the year. Get ready to discover how Korea’s regional food traditions turn summer heat into deliciousness through the fascinating philosophy of iyeolchiyeol ( 이열치열) - literally “fighting fire with fire.”

While you might know naengmyeon, bingsu, or samgyetang, we’re diving deep into Korea’s lesser-known regional summer specialties that showcase the incredible diversity of Korean cuisine. From Jeolla Province’s soul-warming kongguksu to the refreshing simplicity of oi naengguk, these dishes represent centuries of Korean wisdom about staying healthy and energized during the hottest months of the year.

Understanding Jangma: Korea's Monsoon Season and Its Cultural Significance

When the first heavy raindrops begin to fall across the Korean Peninsula in late June, they signal more than just a change in weather. The arrival of jangma (장마), Korea’s monsoon season, represents a profound cultural phenomenon that has shaped Korean civilization for millennia. Far beyond its meteorological impact, jangma influences everything from artistic expression and culinary traditions to social behaviors and spiritual practices, making it an essential part of Korean cultural identity.

Food Guide to Gwangjang Market (광장시장)

광장시장 (Gwangjang market) is a prime location in Seoul for eating various Korean foods. Do not expect to find strict hygiene standards or to seat on a nice chair; you will, however, be surprised by the food offerings in the market. From 육회 (shredded raw beef) to 빈대떡 (mungbean pancake), 광장시장 does not disappoint. This post lists the most popular foods to eat in 광장시장 Gwangjang market, as well as some tips to have the best experience while navigating the numerous stalls and restaurants.

Top 3 Emblematic Foods of 광장시장

육회 (肉膾) Yukhoe or Shredded Raw Meat

육회 is one of the three emblematic foods of 광장시장. 육회, as sold in this market, is shredded raw beef served with an egg yolk on top of Korean pear. The dish comes with salted sesame oil; dip the meat in it to enhance the flavor even more. Because 육회 has to be extremely fresh and is easily contaminated if improperly handled, prefer eating it at the restaurants of the market rather than the food stalls in the middle of the alleys. At least one restaurant, 부촌육회, is in the Seoul Michelin guide; I, however, prefer 창신육회 for the more authentic experience (poor seating but cheaper and almost as good). Most restaurants in 광장시장 also offer 육사시미 (beef sashimi) and 육회낙지탕탕이 (live octopus 낙지탕탕이 mixed with shredded raw beef, see 아재입맛 for a picture and of 낙지탕탕이), but I advise against ordering these items as they are pricier than 육회, unless you are confident enough and trust the restaurant. Pair 육회 with 막걸리.

Ahjussi Taste: Best Traditional Korean Foods (아저씨 입맛)

Some of the best Korean foods are also the oldest. People who love traditional foods that usually have a strong flavor or repulsing appearance are said to have an 아저씨/아재 입맛, or ahjussi taste. Learn about some of these traditional foods below. 

곱창 Gopchang or Grilled Small Intestines

Small intestines of a cow or a pig. The word 곱창 by itself usually refers to grilled small intestines, also called 곱창구이. It can also be eaten in a hot pot (곱창전골) or as a sausage (cf. 순대). Prefer 양념곱창 (marinated 곱창) over regular 곱창 if you doubt the quality of the restaurant. 곱창 tastes best with soju.

Beyond Soju: the World of Korean Alcohol

Korean culture has swept the globe – K-Pop, K-Dramas, K-Beauty, and undeniably, K-Food. And what pairs better with delicious Korean cuisine than its unique and varied alcoholic beverages? While the small green bottle of Soju (소주) might be the most internationally recognized face of Korean alcohol, it’s merely the tip of the iceberg. The world of sul (술), the Korean term for alcohol, is incredibly rich, steeped in history, and offers a flavour profile for every palate.

The global interest in Korean culture continues to boom, making it the perfect time to explore beyond the familiar and discover both the celebrated staples and the hidden gems of Korean brewing and distilling traditions. Get ready to pour yourself a glass (or a traditional bowl!) and explore!

Popular South Korean Drinking Games

One aspect of South Korean culture becomes very apparent after a few days in the country: the drinking culture is pretty developed. Alcohol made in South Korea is cheaply available in most convenient stores, and drinking establishments are open late at night/until early morning. South Koreans use alcohol to socialize and have developed many drinking games to do so. These games are especially popular among college students and in the army.

All the South Korean drinking games in this article play clockwise or counter-clockwise; just agree with other players before starting.

안녕클레오파트라 – Annyeong Cleopatra (Hello Cleopatra)

This simpler game consists of taking turns repeating the same song with a higher pitch than the previous player.

KPOP group Wanna One demonstrate the game 안녕클레오파트라 (Hello Cleopatra) in the video below.

노래방 - Korean Norebang (Karaoke) (and their complicated remote)

Some of the etiquette rules governing 노래방:

• Do not queue several songs at once, but let other people queue their own songs.
• Avoid looking at your phone frequently, as it is considered rude.
• If you see that you do not know a song as much as you thought, skip it (press 취소 followed by 시작 on the remote)

One of the barriers of entry to 노래방 for foreigners is probably the seemingly overly complicated remote. Learn the various features of the remote prior to going to 노래방 so that you can make the most of your time there! Check the picture (divided by zone) and the corresponding vocabulary below. You can also download this information and print it to take it with you to your next 노래방 session! If you live too far from a karaoke place, you can also buy a Korean karaoke machine for home use.

Washer & Dryer

Doing the laundry in Korea can be a daunting task, especially if not too familiar with its related words (drying, pre-wash, etc.) Similar to the 노래방 remote post, here is a breakdown of the common words written on washers and dryers (usually the same unit in Korea), and a photo example of how it looks like on a commercial machine.

South Korean LGBT Films: A Comprehensive List

Korean cinema has seen a rapid rise in LGBT-centered movies and short films in the last decade, but information in English about them is scant as best. The lists below attempt to fill this gap by classifying LGBT Korean movies produced over the year. These lists exclude dramas and movies that do not have main LGBT protagonists.

If a movie is missing from the list, please leave a comment here or on Facebook so that KoniKorean can add it to the list.

Coronavirus Korean Vocabulary and Resources

As the Coronavirus progresses in South Korea, this article lists vocabulary and resources in English and Korean to stay on top of the infection if you are currently in South Korea. This page will get updated as more information is available.

What to do. According to the CDC of Korea, for the general population (translated by KoniKorean):

1. Wash your hands meticulously with soap under running water.
2. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve.
3. Do not touch your eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands.
4. Wear a mask when visiting a medical institution
5. Refrain from visiting places with many people