North Korean Cool

Ask a North Korean: How do North Koreans stay cool in the summer heat?

Air conditioners are not widespread in North Korea, and homes that have air conditioners cannot use them as they wish due to heavy restrictions and unstable electricity. Thus the most popular way to stay cool in North Korea is a solar-powered handheld fan — even if they blow (mostly) hot air.

Many North Koreans will seek relief from the heat by making lots of cold cucumber soup, a summer food that has been around for a long time. Cucumber is thought to cool the body and hydrate. Slicing cucumbers and adjusting the saltiness with soy sauce or salt is one method of replenishing moisture and salt lost through sweat.

We like cucumbers, so cold cucumber soup sounds reasonable for us. Must look up a recipe. I'm not so sure about the next idea though.

There is also another must-eat food for North Koreans who wish to pass the hottest summer days safely, which people in other countries might find difficult to understand — dog meat.

It is not difficult in North Korea to find a restaurant specializing in preparing and selling dog meat, and the delicacy is particularly popular in the summer. There is a saying: “If dog meat soup even just drips on the back of your foot you will be able to withstand the heat.”