Gukbap facts for kids
Dwaeji-gukbap (pork and rice soup) with a cube of kkakdugi (diced radish kimchi)
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| Place of origin | Korea |
|---|---|
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Guk (soup), bap (cooked rice) |
| Similar dishes | Noodle soup |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
국밥
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|---|---|
| Revised Romanization | gukbap |
| McCune–Reischauer | kukpap |
| IPA | [kuk̚.p͈ap̚] |
Gukbap (Hangul: 국밥) is a popular Korean dish. It's basically hot soup served with cooked rice. You can either put the rice directly into the soup or cook the rice right in the soup itself.
This warm and comforting meal is often served in a special earthenware bowl called a ttukbaegi. Traditionally, Koreans ate their soup and rice separately. But Gukbap is unique because it combines them into one delicious bowl. Sometimes, in restaurants today, the soup and rice might still be served in separate bowls.
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A Taste of History
Gukbap became very popular towards the end of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. This was around the time when inns started to appear. It quickly became a favorite meal for everyday people.
At first, inn owners might have made Gukbap using simple vegetables they had on hand. As markets grew, Gukbap made with beef or pork became common. This tasty dish then spread from the markets to the cities, becoming a beloved meal for many.
What's in a Name?
The name Gukbap is quite simple. It's a compound word made from two Korean words:
So, Gukbap literally means "soup with rice"!
Different Kinds of Gukbap
There are many delicious types of Gukbap, each with its own special ingredients:
Pork and Rice Soup
- Dwaeji-gukbap (돼지국밥) is a hearty soup made by simmering pig bones to create a rich broth. People often enjoy it with slices of boiled pork. This type of Gukbap became popular during the Korean War. Refugees used pig bones, which were easy to find, to make a soup similar to seolleongtang.
Beef and Rice Soup
- Sogogi-gukbap (소고기국밥) is a classic Gukbap made with beef and rice. It's a very common and well-loved version.
Ox Head and Rice Soup
- Someori-gukbap (소머리국밥) is made by cooking ox head in a large iron pot for a very long time. This creates a deeply flavored meat broth.
Korean Sausage and Rice Soup
- Sundae-gukbap (순대국밥) features sundae, which is a type of Korean sausage. This sausage is usually made with various ingredients like noodles and vegetables, all stuffed into a casing.
Soybean Sprout and Rice Soup
- Kongnamul-gukbap (콩나물국밥) is a lighter Gukbap. It includes kongnamul (soybean sprouts), garlic, and salt, all cooked in an iron pot. This dish is especially famous in Jeonju, a city known for its clean water, which is very important for making good Kongnamul-gukbap.
Oyster and Rice Soup
- Gul-gukbap (굴국밥) is a seafood version of Gukbap. It's made with fresh oysters, giving the soup a unique taste of the sea.
Dried Radish Greens and Rice Soup
- Siraegi-gukbap (시래기국밥) uses siraegi, which are dried radish greens. These greens add a distinct earthy flavor and texture to the soup.
Soup and Rice Served Separately
- Ttaro-gukbap (따로국밥) is a special way of serving Gukbap. In this style, the guk (soup) and the bap (cooked rice) are served in separate bowls. This lets you add the rice to the soup yourself, little by little.
Similar Dishes Around the World
Gukbap is a unique Korean dish, but other cultures have similar comforting meals where rice is combined with broth or soup.
- In China, there's a dish called paofan.
- In Japan, you might find ochazuke, which is rice with green tea or broth poured over it.
