Sambok - Korea's "Three Dog Days of Summer"

Have you encountered the term "Sambok" (삼복) in Korean before? It corresponds with the three warmest days of summer in Korea, according to the traditional calendar, It formerly held a more important position in Korean culture. But it still makes individuals gravitate for particular dishes during Sambok.

What is 삼복 (Sambok)?

The three warmest days of the year are referred to as "Sambok," as we have already explained. These days are also referred to as "dog days" and 날 (boknal).

Historically, Sambok, or "Farming Holiday," was a significant agricultural celebration. It was believed that the Sambok weather would dictate the quality of the next harvest.

Different weather conditions meant different things to different locations. For example, while rainy weather was sought for in Busan, it was interpreted negatively in Gangwon and other areas. Sambok was not just about eating special dishes and observing the weather; it was also the time for 제, or bokje. Bokje is a ritual performed to promote the growth of the rice crop.

When does 삼복 (Sambok) occur?

The date of the Sambok changes every year. Typically, between June and August.

The date of Sambok can be calculated based on the summer solstice and the first days of autumn. It is not determined because it is based on the lunar calendar.

The Three Days of Sambok

In contrary to popular belief, the three days of Sambok do not occur on consecutive days.

Three days make up Sambok: 초복 (Chobok), 중복 (Jungbok), and 말복 (Malbok). We will go into further detail about each of them below.

What is 초복 (Chobok)?

The first day of Sambok is called Chobok.

Chobok 2024: July 15th

What is 중복 (Jungbok)?

The second day of Sambok is called Jungbok. Ten days are gone by since Chobok.

Jungbok 2024: July 25th

What is 말복 (Malbok)?

Malbok is the term used for the final day of Sambok. Ten days have passed since Jungbok. Depending on the year, there could be a 20-day delay between Jungbok and Malbok. As a result, Sambok celebrations typically go for twenty or thirty days.

Malbok 2024: August 14th

What do Koreans do during sambok?

For Koreans, eating is the primary approach to celebrate Sambok. Although it was traditionally consumed in valleys and forests, you can now enjoy it at home or in a café. This is also the best time to eat summer fruits like watermelon.

In addition to eating, it was traditional to cool off by dipping one's feet in water. Many people now accomplish this, for instance, by immersing their toes in Cheonggyecheon.

Traditional Sambok Food

In the past, Koreans would typically consume foods like ginseng chicken soup (삼탕 | samgyetang) or dog meat soup (보신탕 | bosintang) on the dates falling under Sambok. Meat had a little role in Korean cuisine back then. But it was believed that wholesome foods, such as meat, would provide the necessary nutritional advantages to endure the summer's hottest days.

And if you felt that having a hot soup on the hottest day was strange? It was genuinely believed that consuming hot soup would raise body warmth and lessen the intensity of the heat in the hot weather.

Dog meat soup is not a common food these days. Rather, beef and pork have taken over as the preferred meats in Korean cooking... As a result, in modernised Korean traditions, spicy beef soup (육개장 | yukgaejang) has replaced bosintang.

With the exception of the meat substitutes, yukgaejang and bosintang are fairly identical. But samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup, has stood the test of time and is still the best dish to have on Sambok. Though people consume it all year long to replenish and rejuvenate their energy, its popularity peaks around these times.

Wrap Up

Whoa, you're aware of yet another Korean holiday! Since this festival is so easily overlooked, it's understandable that many non-natives are unaware of it. Even if you reside in South Korea, that is accurate!

You'll want to know how to order food in Korean when the next summer warmth hits and you feel like you might like to try some 육개장 (yukgaejang) or 삼계탕 (samgyetang) to celebrate Sambok.