From Summer to Winter: 3 Best Seasonal Korean Dishes

Writer: Amratha C.S. (Delhi, India)

Editor: Ankita Panda (Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

As someone who has had my fair share of trying out diverse South Korean dishes over the past eight years, I have compiled a comprehensive list of my favorites that pair perfectly with the main seasons in India. Honestly? I love my food a bit soupy, especially during summer, winter, and rainy seasons. 

If you are interested in South Korean cuisine and want to try a few of their brothy delicacies that will heal your soul, keep reading!! I have my three best picks for the seasons mentioned above, so let me convince you all to try them out.

Kal-guksu (칼국수)

The first on the list is Kal-guksu, which literally translates to knife-cut noodle soup. If you are someone who doesn’t like spicy foods, then it’s the perfect dish for you. Kalguksu’s first recipe was discovered during the Joseon Era in an old cookbook called Eumsik Dimibang, written by Lady Jang Gye-Hang in 1670. 

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The noodles are flat and thinly shaped, with a light and airy texture, and are made from dough made with wheat flour and eggs. The wheat dough is rolled out, then cut with a knife. Its soup is refreshing and comforting, and will surely warm your mind and soul together. In the past, the broth was made with chicken in the countryside, while the coastal regions used little clams, and the mountain regions used dried anchovies to elevate the taste of their broth. However, all the varieties are now easily available. 

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Although it is a favourite summertime dish for many South Koreans, I usually suggest and prefer it on rainy days, pairing it with Sprite to enhance its flavor. Since this is a diverse dish, Kalguksu is available in many varieties based on the toppings and broth types. Its variations include — Haemul Kalguksu (해물칼국수/ Seafood), Dak Kalguksu (닭칼국/ Chicken), Mushroom Kalguksu, Spicy Kalguksu, and many more. Haemul Kalguksu (seafood) has been at the top of my list since I’ve had it! 

Samgye-tang (삼계탕)

The next one on my favorites list is Samgyetang or ginseng chicken soup, a legendary summer dish in South Korea, renowned especially for its healthy ingredients.  It gets its name from Sam (삼), which is ginseng (insam, 인삼), Gye (계), which is chicken, and tang (탕), which means soup.  

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The small, young chicken meat flavored with ginseng is not only delicious and tender but also nourishing. South Koreans follow the Lunar calendar, and the three hottest days of the year together are known as sambok (삼복). It is tradition for them to have healthy and nourishing foods on hot and sultry summer days; thus, making Samgye-tang a popular choice. Sambok dates vary from year to year, but they usually fall between July and August. 

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I had this dish for the first time at my friend’s house, and it was cooked by her mother. We had some chilled watermelon afterwards, and it made the experience even more amazing. Now, I always crave Samgyetang whenever the summers get unbearably hot. 

Kkotgetang (꽃게탕)

It is the last one on the list of my favourite seasonal South Korean dishes. This spicy blue crab stew is best enjoyed during the winter season, leaving you with an unforgettable, refreshing taste on your tongue and your mind as well. 

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The broth for this dish is made by boiling gochujang (red chili pepper paste), gochugaru (red chili pepper flakes), and earthy vegetables in a single hot pot. This is the one dish that you shouldn’t miss if you are a seafood and spicy food lover. The main hero of this dish is blue crabs, which are boiled with earthy vegetables such as chrysanthemum greens, green onions, radish, chilies, garlic, fresh pumpkin leaves, and doenjang (fermented soybean paste) to enhance the flavor of the main ingredient. 

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In addition to the crabs as the main ingredient, the stew also contains clams and shrimp, which complement the spicy crabs. Snow crabs and king crabs are also used to make the stew if blue crabs are not available. Pair the dish with a hot steaming bowl of rice and a Coca-Cola, and let it warm up your soul!!

Have you tried any of these dishes? Or do you have a favourite seasonal South Korean dish? Let us know in the comments!