The obsession with Korean food here in America is still going strong. Gochujang is now the new Sriracha, kimchi is almost as common as dill pickles and bibimbap bowls are the new go-to takeout option. Instead of ordering your favorite bowl, you should probably learn how to make your own. Make your way down the page to discover 16 variations paired with a few non-bowl plays on the traditional ingredients. Trust us: It’s easier than it sounds, and your dinner guests will be thanking you for ages.
Rise and shine! Okay, so you don’t have to make this one for breakfast, but it would be a pretty epic way to start the day, don’t you think? (via Olive)
If you’re just dipping your toe in the bibimbap pool, try it out as a taco first. You’ll get the same sort of flavor profile but in a familiar handheld package. (via The Kitchn)
Bang bang shrimp is your favorite appetizer, so adding it to your bibimbap is a natural step. Typically, your bowl will start with rice, but if you fancy a change, try swapping it for stir-fry noodles. (via The Girl on Bloor)
Thin strips of bulgogi or rib eye add protein and insane flavor to this bowl. Make your own gochujang sauce to go on top and you can basically call yourself an Iron Chef. (via Great British Chefs)
If umami had a profile picture, this would be it. Kimchi, crispy tofu and about a gallon of spicy pepper sauce make this bibimbap-inspired sandwich a hit with just about everyone. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
This plant-based version hits its protein quota with diced tofu. Prep all of your toppings the night before, and this has the ability to be a very quick weekday lunch. (via Vega)
Your first instinct when the bibimbap craving hits is to order in. May we suggest you try this quick sesame chicken bowl that is ready in just 20 minutes? You *won’t* be sorry. (via Seasons and Suppers)
These crispy fried shrimp are so addicting, they may not even make it to your bowl. In case they do, finish them off with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds before diving in with your chopsticks. (via The Peach Kitchen)
If pork belly wasn’t enough to draw you in, then nothing will be. To keep this Paleo, try to find a kimchi that has minimal ingredients or make your own. (via Paleo OMG)
Maybe your presentation won’t be quite this clean, but it will taste divine either way. This one is great to serve to kids because it’s not spicy, it’s interactive and there are nutrient-packed mushrooms hidden in the ground turkey. (via The Foodie Physician)
If you’re all aboard the low-carb train, these cauliflower rice bowls will be your bibimbap dream. Tons of veggies are necessary, obvi. (via Destination Delish)
While white rice is customary, brown rice is a fine alternative to impart even more nutrition. Serve this at a Korean-themed dinner party with plenty of Soju and you’ll have a major crowd-pleaser on your hands. (via Chowhound)
You know that salmon is extremely nutritious, but it’s difficult finding different ways to prepare it. Try it in your next bibimbap bowl with brown rice, spinach and carrots for a unique twist on your favorite. (via Season With Spice)
If you’re a more adventurous foodie, this raw salmon tartare will be a fun dish to experiment with. Top with a pasteurized raw egg yolk and get to channeling your inner Anthony Bourdain. (via Lady and Pups)
Vegetarian Quinoa Bibimbap
To up the protein of your vegetarian bibimbap without adding meat, swap the rice for quinoa. Whatever you do, don’t forget the fried egg! (via Yuri Elkaim)
To make your bibimbap Whole30 compliant, stick with high-protein meats like steak. Use cauliflower rice as the base and make your own mayo and Sriracha to dress. (via Girl Carnivore)
Paige Johnson
Paige is a blogger, food writer and culinary master from Louisville, Ky. She's a newlywed who's obsessed with dogs and renovating her 117 year old home. When she's not working on her blog — My Modern Cookery — you can find her binge watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S with a triple shot latte in-hand.
FAQs
Bibimbap is a delicious Korean bowl of good stuff. It's colourful and it looks gorgeous to boot. But did you know it's actually chock full of healthy ingredients too?
What do Koreans eat bibimbap with? ›
It is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed or blanched seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste). Egg and sliced meat (usually beef) are common additions, stirred together thoroughly just before eating.
What to serve with bibimbap? ›
Sprinkle the bibimbap with the sesame seeds and drizzle with sesame oil to taste. Ladle the soup to a small bowl and sprinkle some chopped green onion over top. Serve right away with more hot pepper paste on the side, and maybe kimchi too.
Is bibimbap healthy? ›
To reduce the sodium content, you can use low-sodium soy sauce or reduce the amount of soy sauce used. In conclusion, bibimbap is a nutritious and well-balanced meal that is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It's a great source of protein and fiber, and it's low in saturated fat.
Is it okay to eat bibimbap everyday? ›
Bibimbap is a heart-healthy, adaptable, and satisfying food that people can eat guilt-free every day.
What is the most common Korean dinner? ›
Bulgogi is probably the most popular Korean dish, with thinly sliced meat that has a smoky-sweet flavor. You can enjoy it broiled, grilled, or stir-fried. The beef is usually accompanied with lettuce wraps and gochujang (spicy red pepper paste) for wrapping and spicing up the meat.
What is the best partner of bibimbap? ›
Pair bibimbap with off-dry Riesling or Vouvray, which has the sweetness to tame the heat of spicy gochujang, acidity to cut through the fried egg, and light body that will not overpower the fresh vegetables in this dish. Bibimbap has many competing textures and flavors.
What is bibimbap in English? ›
The word bibimbap means stirred or mixed rice. It is served as a bowl of rice with more ingredients on it. These ingredients can include some vegetables (spinach, herbs, potherb, and gosari). Beef or seafood can be added too.
What soup goes with bibimbap? ›
The soup we like to have on the side is called dwengjang jigae (된장찌개/soybean soup) which normally consists of soybean paste, radish, zucchini and tofu. The earthiness of the soup matches so well with the zestiness and spiciness of the bibimbap, it's a combo we definitely recommend.
Do Koreans eat bibimbap with a spoon? ›
When considering how to eat bibimbap, however, most Koreans prefer eating with a spoon. Not only is a spoon easier to control, but it helps you scoop up giant mouthfuls.
Bibimbap can be a healthy option for weight loss due to the following benefits: 1. Nutrient-dense ingredients: Bibimbap typically includes a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, spinach, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and cucumbers.
Is bibimbap meant to be eaten cold? ›
Food like bibimbap and banchan are typically supposed to be served cold, as this is the traditional preparation of most vegetable dishes in Korean cuisine. ``They're more picnic-style when they get served,'' says Michele Kaminski. ``They're prepared salad style and they're meant to be enjoyed cold.
What is the healthiest thing to order at a Korean restaurant? ›
Here's a list of some of the best options.
- Fermented cabbage. ...
- Korean rice bowl (bibimbap). ...
- Seaweed and rice rolls (kimbap/gimbap). ...
- Cold soy milk noodle soup (konggusku). ...
- Sliced beef with vegetables and rice (bulgolgi). ...
- Soft tofu stew (soondubu jjigae). ...
- Steamed, stir-fried, and seasoned vegetable dishes.
10 simple Korean foods that help attain that glass skin
- Korean dishes for clear skin. Korean cuisine is not just a feast for the taste buds; it also holds the key to achieving that coveted 'glass skin'. ...
- Kimchi. ...
- Bibimbap. ...
- Miyeokguk. ...
- Dubu Bokkeum. ...
- Japchae. ...
- Doenjang Guk. ...
- Kimchi Jjigae.
Healthy Korean dishes include the famous bibimbap, a hearty rice bowl topped with loads of vegetables and meat. The balance of carbs, protein and nutritious vegetables make bibimbap a well-balanced meal. Kongguksu (cold soy milk noodle soup) is refreshing in the summer months and as healthy as it is delicious.
Is bibimbap dinner or lunch? ›
Bibimbap (비빔밥)
This Korean lunch-in-a-bowl mixes together a simple salad of rice, mixed vegetables, rice, beef, and egg, with sesame oil and a dollop of chili paste for seasoning.
What Korean food should I eat for dinner? ›
For dinner, one of the most popular dishes in South Korea is bulgogi, which is thinly sliced marinated beef that is grilled or stir-fried. Another popular dinner dish is bibimbap, which is a bowl of rice topped with a variety of vegetables, meat, and a fried egg.
Is bibimbap good for weight loss? ›
Bibimbap. This traditional dish consists of rice with assorted vegetables and meat on top. It is a complete meal in itself that keeps you full for long time and helps in losing weight.
Rise and shine! Okay, so you don’t have to make this one for breakfast, but it would be a pretty epic way to start the day, don’t you think? (via Olive)
If you’re just dipping your toe in the bibimbap pool, try it out as a taco first. You’ll get the same sort of flavor profile but in a familiar handheld package. (via The Kitchn)
Bang bang shrimp is your favorite appetizer, so adding it to your bibimbap is a natural step. Typically, your bowl will start with rice, but if you fancy a change, try swapping it for stir-fry noodles. (via The Girl on Bloor)
Thin strips of bulgogi or rib eye add protein and insane flavor to this bowl. Make your own gochujang sauce to go on top and you can basically call yourself an Iron Chef. (via Great British Chefs)
If umami had a profile picture, this would be it. Kimchi, crispy tofu and about a gallon of spicy pepper sauce make this bibimbap-inspired sandwich a hit with just about everyone. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
This plant-based version hits its protein quota with diced tofu. Prep all of your toppings the night before, and this has the ability to be a very quick weekday lunch. (via Vega)
Your first instinct when the bibimbap craving hits is to order in. May we suggest you try this quick sesame chicken bowl that is ready in just 20 minutes? You *won’t* be sorry. (via Seasons and Suppers)
These crispy fried shrimp are so addicting, they may not even make it to your bowl. In case they do, finish them off with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds before diving in with your chopsticks. (via The Peach Kitchen)
If pork belly wasn’t enough to draw you in, then nothing will be. To keep this Paleo, try to find a kimchi that has minimal ingredients or make your own. (via Paleo OMG)
Maybe your presentation won’t be quite this clean, but it will taste divine either way. This one is great to serve to kids because it’s not spicy, it’s interactive and there are nutrient-packed mushrooms hidden in the ground turkey. (via The Foodie Physician)
If you’re all aboard the low-carb train, these cauliflower rice bowls will be your bibimbap dream. Tons of veggies are necessary, obvi. (via Destination Delish)
While white rice is customary, brown rice is a fine alternative to impart even more nutrition. Serve this at a Korean-themed dinner party with plenty of Soju and you’ll have a major crowd-pleaser on your hands. (via Chowhound)
You know that salmon is extremely nutritious, but it’s difficult finding different ways to prepare it. Try it in your next bibimbap bowl with brown rice, spinach and carrots for a unique twist on your favorite. (via Season With Spice)
If you’re a more adventurous foodie, this raw salmon tartare will be a fun dish to experiment with. Top with a pasteurized raw egg yolk and get to channeling your inner Anthony Bourdain. (via Lady and Pups)
To up the protein of your vegetarian bibimbap without adding meat, swap the rice for quinoa. Whatever you do, don’t forget the fried egg! (via Yuri Elkaim)
To make your bibimbap Whole30 compliant, stick with high-protein meats like steak. Use cauliflower rice as the base and make your own mayo and Sriracha to dress. (via Girl Carnivore)