KB News Desk
Cheaper and more visually entertaining stamina-boosting dishes are popping up at local cafes as Koreans find new ways to mark malbok on Friday, the last of the three hottest days of summer.
The unusual cafe items have drawn plenty of praise from customers for their taste and affordability.
The Venti garnered particular attention online after launching chilled vinegar chicken noodles, or chogye guksu, on Tuesday, largely because of the dish’s unusual presentation. The dish is served in a coffee cup and costs 6,500 won ($5).
“I didn’t plan on having a special meal for malbok because food prices have gone up so much,” a 25-year-old woman told local media. “Since a cafe has released a special menu for the occasion, I think I’ll have that instead.”
Mega MGC Coffee followed the trend by offering a limited-time cup of spicy fried chicken for 4,400 won, available exclusively on boknal.
“The chicken is sweet and has a kick to it. Try enjoying it with an americano,” one user wrote about Mega MGC Coffee’s spicy chicken.
The trend extends to home cooking, with manufacturers offering affordable meal kits for Samgyetang and other nutritious dishes often eaten on boknal.
“Samgyetang meal kits are selling better than in the past. People are purchasing more meal kits than they do raw chickens,” said a supermarket employee. “I think it’s because many people in this neighborhood live alone, so meal kits are more convenient, and the high cost of living is also driving the demand.”
Koreans celebrate three days, known as boknal or sambok, between July and August according to the lunar calendar. During the period, people traditionally eat nourishing foods, particularly chicken dishes like Samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup, to replenish their energy during summer’s hottest days.
However, these dishes are becoming unaffordable for some consumers, particularly those living alone. The average price of a serving of Samgyetang stood at 18,154 won in June, up 2.8 percent from the same period last year, according to the Korea Consumer Agency.
