Gujeolpan facts for kids
| Gujeolpan | |
 |
|
Quick facts for kids Korean name |
|
|---|---|
| Hangul |
구절판
|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | gujeolpan |
| McCune–Reischauer | kujŏlp'an |
Gujeolpan is a very special and beautiful Korean dish. It's served on a unique plate that has nine sections, shaped like an octagon. The name Gujeolpan can mean either the dish itself or the special plate it comes on.
The name comes from three hanja (Korean characters): gu (구) means "nine," jeol (절) means "section," and pan (판) means "plate." The foods are arranged by color and ingredients. You'll find different kinds of seasoned vegetables called namul, meats, mushrooms, and seafood. In the middle of the plate, there are small, thin pancakes made from wheat flour. These are called miljeonbyeong (밀전병). Gujeolpan is not just food; it's also seen as a beautiful decoration. People say it's a healthy meal that looks great, tastes good, and has a good balance of nutrients.
Contents
A Look into Gujeolpan's History
The story of Gujeolpan goes back a long time, to the 14th century. It became very popular with the Joseon royal family. The special octagonal plate can be made from wood or even plastic. It has eight sections around the edge and one in the center, like a flower. Some of these plates are very fancy, with detailed carvings, shiny gems, and beautiful drawings. You can see original royal Gujeolpan plates in museums. They are often shown as part of old royal table settings.
Why Gujeolpan Looks So Good
Gujeolpan is known as one of the most colorful and beautiful Korean dishes. It often takes center stage on a dining table. The nine sections are carefully filled with just the right amount of different meats and vegetables. This makes the dish very colorful and pleasing to look at.
It's even said that the famous writer Pearl S. Buck was amazed by how beautiful Gujeolpan looked. She praised it so much that she didn't want to eat it! She felt she would "destroy such a beautiful thing" by eating it.
How to Enjoy Gujeolpan
Long ago, only Korean nobility (rich and important families) could enjoy Gujeolpan. But today, anyone can try it in many places across Korea. Some restaurants specialize in old Korean dishes. Gujeolpan is also sometimes served at wedding parties.
Each of the eight outer sections holds different foods. These might include carrots, mushrooms, beef, bean sprouts, leeks, or radishes. The center section is usually for the miljeonbyeong pancakes. These pancakes are small, round, and very thin. They are softer and a bit smaller than tortillas.
To eat Gujeolpan, you pick some food from the eight outer sections. Then, you place these foods onto a miljeonbyeong pancake from the center. You wrap everything up in the pancake and eat it whole. It's a fun and tasty way to enjoy many different flavors at once!
Gallery
-
A gujeolpan plate made with mother of pearl.
-
Gujeolpan containing mareun anju (dried foods for drinking alcoholic beverages).
-
Preparation for gujeolpan
-
A variant of gujeolpan
See also
In Spanish: Gujeolpan para niños
