Korean Cold Dishes That Taste Even Better in Summer
- zone tp
- Aug 8
- 4 min read
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A cool dish that comes to mind after sweating in the summer heat!
What foods or desserts do Koreans enjoy during the summer?
We’ll introduce you to cool and delicious summer foods, desserts, and even the best places to try them!
Not only refreshing, but these dishes will also recharge your tired body!
Let's begin😎
Kongguksu is a Korean noodle dish served cold with wheat noodles in a thin soy milk broth made by grinding soybeans. The savory flavor of the soy milk, the chewy noodles, and the combination with kimchi make it one of the most beloved summer dishes among Koreans. When eating kongguksu at a restaurant, sugar and salt are often provided on the side, and preferences differ on which to add. Since both seasonings enhance the nutty flavor of the dish, try them both! As kongguksu is a popular summer food, many restaurants are famous for it. Among them, Jinjujip is always crowded with nearby office workers and people who come just for its kongguksu. It boasts a rich, milky broth made exclusively from ground Korean soybeans. The dish is even better when paired with their generous serving of bossam-style kimchi, known for its sweet and bold flavor that complements the nutty broth perfectly.
Address: B1F, 33 Gukjegeumyung-ro 6-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Work: 10AM – 8PM (Sun, Closed)
Hwachae is a Korean summer dessert made by adding fruit to a cold beverage, typically using seasonal fruits to enjoy it refreshingly. Traditionally in Korea, people have long enjoyed a summer dessert called Sudan, made by adding rice ball cake into honey water or omija tea, topped with pine nuts. Nowadays, hwachae is often made with watermelon, a representative summer fruit. The drink base is usually a soda like Sprite, but it can also be made with milk or honey water. Recently, mixing alcohol into hwachae like a cocktail has also become popular. While it's easy to make at home using simple fruits, it can also be enjoyed at various cafés. Especially at Dalhwachae in Hongdae, you can choose the base drink for your hwachae, a traditional Korean fruit punch made with various fruits. Enjoy a cool summer dessert by pouring strawberry milk or omija tea over boba, which brings out the flavors of various fruits and textures!
Address: 125 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Work: Mon–Fri 10AM–3PM
Sat, Sun 9AM–3PM
Chogyeguksu is a cold Korean noodle dish made with vinegar and chicken, originating from chogye-tang, a traditional dish from the Hamgyeong Province. It is similar to naengmyeon (cold noodles), but the key difference is that the broth is made with chicken instead of beef or dongchimi. In Korea, there is a tradition of eating chicken dishes during the hottest days of summer—Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok. While dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) or fried chicken are popular, the unique and refreshing chogye-guksu has also become a summer favorite. Paldang Chogyeguksu is a well-known restaurant specializing in this dish, located near Dumulmeori, where the Bukhangang and Namhangang Rivers meet, offering beautiful riverside views. They serve icy cold chogye-guksu, a spicy version called bibim chogyeguksu, and even a warm ongye kalguksu made with hot chicken broth. It’s a favorite stop for cyclists and road trippers, where you can recharge with the tangy, marinated chicken and enjoy a hearty, revitalizing meal!
Address: 43 Dasan-ro Wabu-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Work: 10AM–9PM
Gelato is a soft, sweet, and refreshing dessert loved all year round. It’s found everywhere and especially appeals to all ages with its variety of flavors. While there are many types of gelato, how about trying a unique Korean-style gelato filled with local flavors? Hangwa Warak is a traditional Korean dessert café that combines traditional methods with modern techniques to offer even tastier traditional desserts. Among their offerings, the Jar Gelato is a special ice cream dessert available only in summer. The Jar Gelato combines gelato with various traditional Korean dessert toppings. About seven traditional toppings are added, including chewy yakgwa (honey cookies), tangy strawberry jeonggwa (candied fruit), and nutty puffed rice snacks. Even the syrup is made with Korean-style rice syrup (jocheong), giving the dessert a calm, authentic Korean flavor.
Address: 31-5 Bongeunsa-ro 4-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Work: 12AM–10PM
Mulhoe is a dish made by mixing raw fish with vegetables in a seasoned broth, combining a tangy soup with chewy raw fish for a popular taste. It originated from fishermen who quickly mixed various raw fish with gochujang (red chili paste) or chogochujang(tangy gochujang sauce) and water to eat like a soup during their short meal breaks. It is most famous in the Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do regions and is divided into Sokcho-style and Pohang-style. The Sokcho style uses a tangy broth that is refreshing, while the Pohang style uses water, giving it a savory taste — this is the main difference. Hangari Mulhoe, located in Sokcho, is a specialty restaurant serving Sokcho-style mulhoe, loved for its clean taste with special broth and generous portions of raw fish. Dining here offers a romantic view overlooking Sokcho Beach and the Sokcho Eye Ferris wheel. You can also enjoy special mulhoe with sea cucumber and abalone, as well as fresh bibimbap.
Address: 11 Haeoreum-ro 188beon-gil, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do
Work: 9AM–8:50PM
Bingsu is a dessert made by putting various toppings such as fruit, sweet red beans, and jelly over finely shaved ice. In Korea, it started with shaved ice topped with red beans, condensed milk, and jelly, but recently, soft and fluffy milk ice versions have become popular. A famous hotel’s mango bingsu, costing around 100,000 KRW, attracts many customers, and unique bingsu variations are released every year, making it a popular summer treat. Rafre Fruit is a premium fruit shop offering various desserts using seasonal fruits. Especially notable are their mango desserts during summer, made with Jeju apple mangoes supplied to five-star hotels. They offer cakes, parfaits, and drinks, but their signature item is bingsu. Enjoy the subtle sweetness of milk ice combined with fresh mango, enhanced with whipped cream and condensed milk.
Address: 2F, 8-8 Seoulsup 2-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Work: 1–7PM(6:30PM, Last Order)
