Hot Food on a Hot Day? Korea Says Yes

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Overhead view of two diners sharing Korean barbecue, bibimbap, rice, kimchi and banchan.

Hot Food on a Hot Day? Korea Says Yes

This summer, Selly Oak has had more than its fair share of blazing sunshine. With temperatures climbing and every shady spot suddenly becoming prime Birmingham real estate, most of us have been reaching for cold drinks, ice cream and anything that does not involve turning on the oven.

Korean summer tradition takes a different approach.

During the hottest stretch of the year, many Koreans sit down to a steaming, nourishing meal. The custom is tied to Sambok, a series of three dates believed to mark the peak of the summer heat.

The three days are known as:

Chobok, 초복, the beginning of the hottest period
Jungbok, 중복, the middle of the hottest period
Malbok, 말복, the final hot period

In 2026, Chobok fell on 15 July, Jungbok arrives on Saturday 25 July, and Malbok falls on 14 August.

Yes, Korea has three special days for acknowledging that it is far too hot. That feels very relatable after the summer Birmingham has been having.

Why Eat Something Hot?

The thinking is often summed up by the Korean phrase iyeolchiyeol, which means fighting heat with heat.

Rather than choosing only cold food, people eat something warm and nourishing to help restore the energy lost through hot weather. In Korea’s agricultural past, summer meant long days of physical work. A filling meal provided a welcome chance to rest, recharge and gather with others.

One of the dishes most closely linked to Sambok is samgyetang, a chicken soup traditionally prepared with ingredients such as rice, garlic, jujube and ginseng.

The dish arrives hot, fragrant and comforting. It might sound like an unusual choice when the sun is beating down, but that contrast is exactly what makes the tradition memorable.

You eat the warming meal, feel the heat, and leave the table feeling fed and restored.

Sambok Is About More Than Soup

Like many Korean food customs, Sambok is also about taking care of the people around you.

Families, friends and workmates arrange meals together. They pause during a demanding season and share food that feels generous and restorative.

That sense of togetherness sits at the heart of Korean dining. Food is placed in the middle of the table. Side dishes are passed around. Everyone gets involved. The meal becomes part of the conversation rather than a break from it.

It is the same spirit guests find around the Korean barbecue tables at Kimchi in Selly Oak. The grill brings everyone closer, whether you are meeting university friends, getting the family together or catching up after work.

From Korea’s Summer Heat to Selly Oak

You do not need to travel to Korea to appreciate the thinking behind Sambok.

After a hot day around Selly Oak, gathering around a table of Korean food might be exactly what is needed. There is something satisfying about the contrast between the summer sunshine outside and the sound of food sizzling at your table.

Choose some dishes to share. Add rice, noodles or banchan. Let everyone cook, pass plates and argue politely over who gets the final piece.

Cold food may cool you down for a few minutes. A shared Korean meal gives you a whole evening to remember.

Celebrate Jungbok at Kimchi

Jungbok falls on Saturday 25 July this year, giving you a very good reason to gather your favourite people for a Korean meal.

Bring your friends, your housemates, your family or the person who has been promising to try Korean BBQ for months.

Come hungry, gather around the grill and mark one of Korea’s best-loved summer food traditions right here in Selly Oak.

The weather is hot. The grill is hotter. Let’s eat.‍

8th January

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