Beyond Ramyeon: Rice dishes

In the previous article, you were introduced to some of the basics of Korean food: kimchi, bulgogi, jiggae, etc.

In this article, we’ll venture a little further into the vast realm of culinary experiences available in The Land of the Morning Calm. Rice (bap 밥) is to Koreans as baguette is to the French. It’s served with every meal, or is incorporated right into the dish. Part II introduced bibimbap (비빔밥), which is steamed rice topped with chopped veggies, and kimbap (김밥), Korea’s version of a sushi roll. This article will explore further into the rice-based dishes.

Juk (죽) –Some people believe that chicken soup is the best food when you’re feeling ill. In Korea, mothers serve juk, or rice porridge. Of course, it’s not only eaten when people are sick. There are juk restaurants all over the city. Because porridge is rather boring when served alone, juk comes in different styles and flavours, some made with broth rather than water, some with different things mixed in. Juk can be made with beef, seafood, pine nuts, abalone or many other ingredients.

 

 

 

Bokumbap (뽁음밥) – Another general dish name, bokumbap is stir-fried rice, served with a fried egg on top. Not strictly Korean, bokumbap is sometime refered to as “fusion” food, as the stir fry influence comes from China. Most traditional Korean food is steamed or boiled rather than fried. The egg is meant to be chopped up, and mixed in with the stir-fry. Popular types include kimchi (김치), octopus (nak ji 낙지), and pork (jeh yuk 제육).

 

 

Deopbap (덮밥) – Deopbap is steamed rice served with a saucy mixture next to it that you mix in yourself. It’s very similar to bokumbap, the main difference being it’s neither fried nor stirred for you. There are many kinds of deopbap, such as kimchi deopbap, which is kimchi and other veggies in a spicy red sauce; chamchi deopbap (tuna 참치), which is like the kimchi, but with tuna in it; jeh yuk deopbap, made with pork and veggies; bulgogi (불고기) deopbap, with beef and veggies; hue (raw fish 회) and many others.

 

 

 

Jjajambap (짜잠밥) – A dish of plain rice topped with jjajam, a black bean sauce with pork and potato. Jjajam is also served on noodles, as jjajamyeon (짜잠면), a popular “Chinese” delivery food here.