Korean Meal: Bapsang

via koreanbapsang

Annyeonghaseyo, yeorobun~

Welcome back to MyDaehan, #KfoodieSquad!

Fascinated by the amount of side dishes served during a meal in Korea? The dining table full with foods like we usually see in K-Drama. This is known as Bapsang which refers to Korean food served on dining table as in their lunch or dinner. As many know, Koreans eat rice with soup and side dishes known as banchan. But did you know how a complete bapsang looks like?

Structure Traditional Korean Bapsang
(Photo from Kim et al, 2016)

A complete bapsang consist of 4 categories.

1. Cooked Rice

밥 – Bap
As main source energy. Variety types of rice makes every meal exciting.

Ogokbap (오곡밥) – Five Grain Rice
via Google

Bap (밥) – Cooked Rice
via Google

Nurungji (누룽지) – Scorched Rice
via Google

2. Soup

국 – Kuk
Serve alongside cooked rice to help in chewing and swallowing of the food.

Dwenjang-guk(된장국) – Soy Bean Paste Soup
via Google

Kimchi Jigae (김치찌개) – Kimchi Stew
via Google

Miyeokguk (미역국) – Seaweed Soup
via Koreabapsang

3. Side Dish

반찬 – Banchan
Side dishes of kimchi, vegetables and other to enhance the overall food taste of the meal.

Kkakdugi (깍두기) – Radish Kimchi
via Maangchi

Kongnamul (콩나물) – Bean Sprout Side Dish
via aromasian

Gujeolpan (구절판) – Platter of Nine Delicacies
via Maangchi

4. Sauce

장 – Jang
Various sauces to stimulate appetite and enhance food flavour either as dipping sauce or use in the cooking.

Gochujang (고추장) – Korean Red Pepper Paste
via cookpad

Ganjang (간장) – Soy Sauce
via chefssociety

Dwenjang ((된장) – Soybean Paste
via Maangchi

Every category in Bapsang categories implement each other as complete, tasty and healthy meal. Now, when you go to Korean restaurant, you can find out if you are having a complete Bapsang or not.

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Author

Hacina Rameli

Content Creator (Food)
Online Supporter of Korean Embassy in Malaysia
Honorary Reporter of Korea.net

Food Service Dietitian
Korean Enthusiasts
K-foodie since 2014

Instagram: @hasrameli