When the sun cranks up the heat and the humidity hits in Korea, locals don’t just sweat it out—they eat smart. Korean summer food isn’t just about filling your stomach, it’s about 이열치열 (i-yeol-chi-yeol), meaning fighting heat with heat or sometimes going ice-cold to beat the 무더위 (mu-deo-wi), sweltering weather. You’ve heard of Kimchi, sure, but Korea’s got a whole summer food lineup that K-lovers often tend to miss. Let’s dive into five 여름철 별미 (yeo-reum-cheol byeol-mi), seasonal summer delicacies you didn’t know that you needed to taste.
1. 냉면 (Naeng-Myeon) – “Cold Noodles”
We can’t talk Korean summer food without 냉면 (naeng-myeon), the OG cold noodle dish. In Korean, 냉 (naeng) means cold, and 면 (myeon) means noodles. As the name suggests, you can literally see ice floating in it! These slippery buckwheat noodles, swimming in icy beef broth, also called 물냉면 (mul-naeng-myeon) or tossed in spicy sauce, making it 비빔냉면 (bi-bim-naeng-myeon), are immensely popular when temperatures soar past 30°C. Add a slice of 배 (bae), Korean pear, 삶은 계란 (salm-eun gye-ran), boiled egg, and a dash of vinegar to get one of the best summer dishes of your life.
2. 빙수 (Bing-Su) – “Korean Shaved Ice”
If you love our shaved ice — Gola, you’ll find Korea’s 빙수 (bing-su) to be a deliciously different take. While 팥빙수 (pat-bing-su), red bean shaved ice, remains a traditional favourite, Gen-Z have made 2025-style 인싸 빙수 (in-ssa bing-su), ‘trendy bingsu’ which includes mango cubes, matcha drizzle, cheesecake chunks, or even 흑임자 (heuk-im-ja), black sesame flavors. Often served in towering bowls, they are perfect for 인스타샷 (in-seu-ta-shyat), insta shots.
3. 열무국수 (Yeol-Mu-Guk-Su) – “Spicy Cold Noodles with Young Radish Kimchi”
Another summer favourite is made with the 열무 (yeol-mu), young summer radish, which is the star of this dish. Pair it with chilled broth, chewy noodles, and a spicy vinegar kick, and you’ve got a noodle salad that slaps. It’s crunchy, zesty, and 아삭아삭 (a-sak-a-sak), that perfect Korean onomatopoeic expression for crisp and fresh bites. This dish is the epitome of 시원한 맛 (shi-won-han-mat) or ‘cool and refreshing taste’.
4. 식혜 (Shik-Hye) – “Sweet Rice Punch”
식혜 (shik-hye) is that nostalgic, sweet, golden drink you’ll spot at Korean saunas, weddings, and of course, summer family picnics. Made from 엿기름 (yeot-gi-reum), malt water, and boiled rice, it’s lightly sweet and filled with floating rice grains that melt in your mouth like little chewy clouds. Best served ice-cold, 식혜 (shik-hye) is perfect after a spicy meal, or when you’re just in the mood for something sweet and old-school Korean. It’s basically Korea’s version of a dessert drink.
5. 옥수수수염차 (Ok-Su-Su-Su-Yeom-Cha) – “Corn Silk Tea”
This one’s a Korea exclusive — 옥수수수염차 (ok-su-su-su-yeom-cha) is made from, you guessed it, the silky threads of corn. Said to be good for 붓기 제거 (bhut-gi jye-geo), reducing swelling, this tea is light, nutty, and caffeine-free. You’ll often spot it in convenience stores during summer, tucked between 보리차 (bo-ri-cha), barley tea, and 헛개차 (heot-gae-cha), oriental raisin tea.
So if you ever find yourself in 땀범벅 (ttam-beom-beok), drenched in sweat, and craving something new, step away from the usual and give one of these exclusively Korean summer dishes a try.
Written by Ariba
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It’s really hard for me to choose one but i’ll choose Ramen & Bing- su.