In Korea, summer has three traditional hot days called Sambok.
They are Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok. Together, they mark the period many Koreans associate with the deepest heat of summer.
In 2026, the dates are:
| Sambok Day | Korean Name | 2026 Date |
|---|---|---|
| First Bok Day | Chobok | July 15, 2026 |
| Middle Bok Day | Jungbok | July 25, 2026 |
| Last Bok Day | Malbok | August 14, 2026 |
Sambok is not one of Korea’s 24 solar terms. It is a traditional way of marking especially hot days in summer. Still, many Koreans know these dates well because they are closely connected to summer food culture.
Why Sambok Matters in Korea
The idea behind Sambok is simple.
Summer in Korea is not only hot. It is also humid. By mid-July, many people feel tired from the heat, sticky air, and long rainy-season humidity.
For a long time, Koreans have used boknal, or Sambok days, as a time to eat food believed to help the body get through the heat. This does not mean everyone follows the tradition strictly. But even today, many restaurants become busier around Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok.
The most famous food is samgyetang.
Samgyetang is a hot chicken soup usually made with a small whole chicken, glutinous rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng. In some restaurants, a small cup of insamju, or ginseng liquor, may be served before the meal. After the chicken is eaten, the rice and broth often become a soft, comforting porridge.
For many visitors, this may sound surprising.
Why would people eat hot soup on one of the hottest days of the year?
I Used to Wonder the Same Thing
I did not always enjoy this kind of food.
When I was younger, I did not understand why adults liked samgyetang or baeksuk so much in summer. The weather was already hot, and the food tasted too mild for my younger taste. I remember wondering, “Why eat something this hot on a day like this?”
At that time, I preferred food with a clearer taste. Spicy, cold, sweet, or salty dishes were easier to understand. A bowl of plain chicken soup felt too quiet.
But at some point, my taste changed.
Now, there are days in summer when I suddenly want this kind of food. Not because it is dramatic or trendy, but because it feels steady. A warm bowl of chicken soup can feel like a reset when the body is tired from heat and humidity.
That may be the part I did not understand when I was younger.
Sambok food is not always about strong flavour. Sometimes it is about comfort, warmth, and feeling looked after.
What Koreans Eat on Sambok
Samgyetang is the classic choice, but it is not the only one.
Some people eat baeksuk, a simple boiled chicken dish. Others prefer dakhanmari, a whole-chicken hot pot often served with noodles, potatoes, and dipping sauce. Some choose duck, eel, beef soup, or other hearty dishes.
There are also people who do not eat hot food at all. They may choose cold noodles, kongguksu, fruit, or something lighter. Modern Sambok food is more flexible than the old image suggests.
So Sambok is not a rule everyone must follow. It is more like a seasonal habit that many Koreans still recognise.
Should Travellers Try It?
If you are visiting Korea around Chobok, Jungbok, or Malbok, trying samgyetang or another boknal dish for one meal can be a simple way to experience Korean summer culture.
You do not have to force yourself to like it. Personal taste is different for everyone.
Some visitors may enjoy the soft chicken, warm broth, and gentle flavour. Others may find it too mild, especially if they expect strong seasoning. Both reactions are natural.
The interesting part is not only the food itself. It is the idea behind the meal.
On the hottest days of summer, Koreans have long tried to take care of the body by eating something warm, filling, and nourishing. Sambok shows a practical side of Korean food culture: when the season is difficult, people respond with a meal.
A Small Tip Before You Go
If you want to try samgyetang during Sambok, visit a restaurant a little earlier than the usual lunch or dinner rush. Popular samgyetang restaurants can become crowded on boknal.
If hot soup does not sound appealing, dakhanmari or baeksuk may feel easier to share with others. If you prefer cold food, that is also fine. Sambok is a tradition, not an obligation.
For travellers, one Sambok meal may be enough.
It may not become your favourite Korean food. But it can help you understand something small and real about summer in Korea: sometimes, people fight the heat not with ice, but with a steaming bowl of chicken soup.