Buzz
Thriving alongside the Hallyu wave, Korean cuisine is gaining popularity and becoming familiar to international travelers. One iconic dish that stands out is Bibimbap. This harmonious mixed rice bowl, from colors to flavors, is a source of pride for the people of the Land of Kimchi.
Continuously hailed in the list of foods good for health, Bibimbap was also voted by CNN as one of the top 40 dishes in the world in 2011. Bibimbap has transformed the seemingly simple mixed rice dish into an extraordinary culinary delight loved worldwide.
The Origins of Bibimbap
Bibimbap, a Korean mixed rice dish, stands out as one of the commonly found delicacies in every restaurant in South Korea. This dish is a harmonious blend of diverse ingredients, creating a bowl of rice packed with nutrients and delicious flavors. Bibimbap is often served in a stone bowl to maintain its heat, preserving the delectable taste of the dish until the very last grain of rice.
Bibimbap, the Korean Mixed Rice
Korean culinary culture is intricately detailed, with each dish holding its unique significance. In Korea, Bibimbap is also known as mixed color rice, featuring 6 characteristic hues. These include 5 colors: white, black, green, red, and yellow, corresponding to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth in the five elements theory. The addition of a distinctive red sauce connects these elements, resulting in an incredibly visually appealing mixed rice dish.
Ingredients of the Familiar Bibimbap Dish
Bibimbap, a mixed rice dish, is crafted from a variety of ingredients, primarily vegetables. All the ingredients are finely sliced and evenly arranged on the rice surface. Particularly, the egg placed in the center must maintain its runny yolk. The distinctive flavor of bibimbap also comes from sesame oil and Korean Gochujang chili sauce.
There are various hypotheses about the origins of bibimbap. Many believe it originated as a dish for ancient nobility. Since the Chosun era, bibimbap has been renowned and especially popular in Jeonju.
Common Types of Bibimbap
Due to the richness in ingredients, bibimbap boasts a variety of unique types. Depending on each region and preference, chefs can create countless innovative mixed rice dishes. Particularly, among them are 5 exceptionally distinct bibimbap varieties that everyone wants to try when traveling to Korea.
Beef Bibimbap
Beef bibimbap can be considered the most popular bibimbap in Korea. This dish captivates even the most discerning diners with its harmonious presentation of colorful ingredients and a deliciously distinctive flavor.
Eye-catching Beef Bibimbap
Moreover, the preparation of this bibimbap is not complex at all. Just stir-fry the beef and arrange it right next to various green vegetables, and you have a delightful and fragrant mixed rice dish. Due to its simplicity, this Korean dish can be found in almost every restaurant in the Land of Kimchi.
Tuna Bibimbap
Similar to beef bibimbap, replacing the main ingredient with tuna provides a completely new and equally delicious flavor. Tuna is an easily accessible ingredient, available fresh or canned at any grocery store.
Flavorful Tuna Bibimbap accentuating the aroma of sesame oil
The tuna bibimbap boasts a richer aroma of sesame oil, and the harmonious blend of fish oil with Gochujang chili sauce makes the dish even more enticing, creating a lasting flavor for those who have tasted it before.
Sushi Bibimbap
Innovation in Korean cuisine replaces the fragrant stir-fried beef and spices with a live sushi dish to accompany mixed rice. Typically, live sushi bibimbap uses raw beef slices, mixed with sesame oil, a touch of salt, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a fragrant and sweet flavor.
Live Beef Sushi Bibimbap captivating with the fresh sweetness of meat
Particularly, this live sushi bibimbap is served with a raw egg yolk. The creamy texture of the raw egg complements the fresh goodness of the beef, undoubtedly creating a perfect duo that adds a distinctive touch to the traditional mixed rice dish, bibimbap.
Vegetarian Bibimbap
This is undoubtedly the bibimbap dish for vegetarians, health-conscious individuals, or simply those who love the natural sweetness of vegetables. Although it only consists of vegetables without any meat, it still has a very appetizing flavor.
The main ingredients of vegetarian bibimbap are usually spinach, kale, lettuce, and carrots. What makes it unique is the sweet and sour chili paste, creating the primary flavor of the dish. If there is no sweet and sour chili paste, people often mix in sugar and vinegar to create the fantastic taste of the eye-catching mixed vegetable rice dish.
Vegetarian Bibimbap Perfect for Those on a Diet
Herbal Bibimbap
Perhaps the most unique type of mixed rice, herbal bibimbap, stands out for its exceptionally distinctive flavor. Unlike commonly used vegetables, herbal bibimbap is served with shepherd's purse, crown daisy, mushrooms, and squash. In some places, grilled beef or fried eggs may be added to enhance the layers of taste in the dish.
Herbal Bibimbap - an exotic specialty found only in Korea
While the preparation for this herbal mixed rice dish takes more time compared to typical bibimbap, the final result is incredibly worthwhile. It will undoubtedly leave you reminiscing about this profound flavor for a long time.
Best Places for Delicious Bibimbap in Korea
Bibimbap is an extremely famous dish in South Korea, and you can find this mixed rice dish in any restaurant in the Land of Kimchi. However, based on my experience traveling in Korea, if you want to enjoy the best bibimbap, you should visit Jeonju.
Jeonju - the Culinary Hub
If you ask any South Korean where to eat bibimbap, they will undoubtedly point you to Jeonju. This city can be considered the birthplace of Korean mixed rice, and the unique flavor of bibimbap here will leave every traveler with unforgettable memories. Particularly, every October, the Hanok Village hosts a bibimbap festival that attracts numerous tourists to join the experience.
Famous Bibimbap in Hanok Village, Jeonju
Primarily using sprouts and bean sprouts with fragrant rice cooked in beef broth combined with traditional sauce, Jeonju Mixed Rice creates an irresistibly rich flavor. Keeping the egg raw enhances the creamy taste for each grain of rice. The taste of this dish might even be better if you pair it with a pinch of chili powder.
Recommendations for some delicious bibimbap restaurants in Jeonju:
- Hankook Jib
- Address: 2-3 Jeon-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollado.
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.
- Price Range: Around 13,000 KRW.
- Gajok Hwegwan
- Address: Jungang-dong 3-ga 80, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollado.
- Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
- Price Range: 12,000 KRW.
Jinju
While not as famous as Jeonju, in Jinju, mixed rice is also incredibly popular. The distinctive feature of Jinju bibimbap is the presentation of 5 types of fresh greens neatly arranged in a brass bowl, topped with a vibrant red chili sauce.
This mixed rice dish is also romantically referred to as Hwaban - 'Flowers Blossoming on Rice' due to its picturesque appearance. Unlike Jeonju's bibimbap, which uses many bean sprouts, Jinju's mixed rice is accompanied by various aromatic seaweed and soup dishes.
Cheonhwang restaurant serves delicious bibimbap in Jinju
Best Bibimbap Spots in Jinju:
- Cheonhwang Sikdang
- Address: 3, Chokseok-ro 207-gil, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do.
- Opening Hours: 05:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
- Price Range: Varies from 13,000 KRW to 30,000 KRW.
- Ipapnamu
- Address: 52847, 272 Yeha-ri, Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.
- Opening Hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM, closed every Tuesday.
- Price Range: Varies from 13,000 KRW to 20,000 KRW.
Tongyeong
Tongyeong is a seaside city abundant with fresh seafood. This characteristic reflects in Tongyeong's bibimbap, often combining tofu, herbs, and then mixed with steamed shrimp, clams, and oysters in broth or marinated in a savory sauce. This intricate dish is enjoyed by the locals during festivals and holidays.
Tongyeong is renowned for its various seafood bibimbap
Some delicious bibimbap restaurants in Tongyeong:
- Ttukbaegi
- Address: Donam-dong, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.
- Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 9:00 PM.
- Price Range: Varies from 10,000 KRW to 15,000 KRW.
- Dombedoyaji
- Address: 1574-64, Juklim-ri, Gwangdo-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do.
- Opening Hours: 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
- Price Range: Varies from 5,000 KRW to 10,000 KRW.
Bibimbap, with its delicious and nutritious appeal, has won the hearts of every traveler to the Land of Kimchi. While you can enjoy this mixed rice dish at local Vietnamese restaurants, the experience in Korea is undoubtedly special. Don't hesitate to book a tour to South Korea at Mytour to savor the unique taste of bibimbap with its authentic chili sauce.
Author: Quynh
Image Source: Internet
