I Ate Red Bean Kalguksu at Patjip in the Farmers Market for Jungbok Food.

There have traditionally been many customs passed down from long ago. Among them, the part people especially keep in mind during summer is probably the three hottest seasonal days: Chobok, Jungbok, and Malbok. It was already Jungbok, and when I checked today’s weather forecast, the high was 34°C, with a heat wave continuing and heat wave advisories in effect for most regions. When I see things like that, it really feels amazing.

On the hottest days, people usually think first of samgyetang, and then of eating nourishing food. I’m the same way, but this time I chose a light nourishing menu for Jungbok food.

It was red bean kalguksu made with red beans.

You might wonder why red beans are eaten as nourishing food, but red bean porridge is not only a food eaten on Dongji; it is said to have been one of the dishes often made during the three hottest summer days as well, called bokjuk. It is said that eating red bean porridge during the three hottest days helps drive away the heat more easily and avoid getting sick. So today, I visited Patjip at Farmers Market, which is said to be a popular restaurant near Apgujeong Station.

Although it is a red bean shop, it seems many people visit because there are various menu items besides dishes made with red beans.

I debated between red bean porridge and red bean kalguksu, and chose the red bean kalguksu.

After ordering, the basic side dishes come out after quite a while. Since this is a place that sells kalguksu and porridge, the side dishes were not very varied, but the white kimchi and napa cabbage kimchi were simple and tasty. I don’t know how many times I asked for refills.

A small plate and a spoon case labeled Patjip are provided.

It was so hot on the way to Farmers Market Patjip that when I first walked into the restaurant, it felt so cool and nice, but as I sat waiting for the food, I started getting cold. Still, once I started eating the warm red bean kalguksu, I forgot about the cold. It was that hot, steaming red bean kalguksu, so a small plate was definitely necessary.

The main components of red beans are said to be carbohydrates, protein, various minerals, vitamins, and saponins. Saponins have diuretic effects and help remove impurities from the skin and pores, which is said to help with atopic dermatitis and the removal of blemishes. Because they are rich in B vitamins, they are said to help with the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, improve fatigue, and help prevent memory decline. Since they contain a lot of potassium, they help sodium be excreted from the body more smoothly, which can reduce swelling. That must be why red bean tea is said to help with swelling.

Red bean kalguksu made with red beans, which contain more nutrients than you might expect!!

The reason Farmers Market Patjip remains popular regardless of the season is probably because you can taste its deep flavor. I haven’t eaten red bean porridge that many times, but when I eat Farmers Market red bean kalguksu, it really feels like I’m eating proper red bean porridge.

The portion is also large, so after finishing one bowl, I sometimes feel so full that I can’t finish it all.

For Jungbok food, I chose red bean kalguksu made with red beans. Instead of the nourishing food you eat every hot day, it might be nice to beat the heat with this deep, rich red bean kalguksu.