Dish of the Day: BiBimBap

Lately i've been really enjoying eating Korean food, just because there are many places on campus to get some and it's so delish (just watched some rachel ray today). there are many aspects to a Korean dish, and you couldn't explain it better than BiBimBap.

BiBimBap is a rice bowl dish that has bulgogi beef, bean sprouts, vegetables, a runny egg piled on top of sticky rice, with lots of korean sweet-hot sauce (optional). served with kimchee and other assorted small dishes, as well as a spoon and chopsticks (metal ones at the nice restaurants)

One of the more well-known Korean dishes in the US, this is a very good all-round culinary experience for people new to the cuisine to sample a little bit of everything.

To begin with, the dish is served with kimchee, which is a loose term for korean-style pickled vegetables and usually lots of spice and garlic. A staple of the korean diet, it adds a bit of spice and kills bacteria. it leaves a good taste in your mouth afterwards (though its takes some getting used to. I knew a kid in elementary school who ate kimchee on rice in his thermos for 5 straight years, so i got accustomed to the smell, which is very brine-y). The vegetables are almost always freshly cooked and are well prepared, as well as there being a good sampling of korean barbequed meat (bugolgi, marinated and grilled goodness, in this instance). overall, I enjoy the sweet, spicy, fresh taste. Dol-Sot BiBimBap, a popular regional version of the dish, utilizes a stone bowl, which is heated and keeps the dish hot for as long as you eat it, which is uncommon for any other dish you might know of and just makes your day a little better.

I encourage you guys to give it a try, it's good food and part of a healthy and kimchee-happy diet.

Mixed Dol-sot BiBimBap, eaten 10/6/07

next time, i shall delve further into my ongoing discourse on the Wendy's eating experience, the dish to be examined: The Sour cream and Chive baked potato.

stay tuned, my only reader.