Korean Traditional Soup and Rice, Kongnamul Gukbap

The second Korean food that I recommend is 콩나물 국밥(kongnamul gukbap). This word means Bean Sprout Soup with Rice. Kongnamul gukbap is unfamiliar to foreigners, so I will explain about kongnamul and gukbap.

First, Kongnamul is an example of Korean source of food, made from soybean sprouts. It is one of the most common side dish in Korea, and also a basic source of bibimbap. People basically blanch Kongnamul in boiling water and season to this. Furthermore, they make soup with Kongnamul which is good for reliving a hangover. Above this, the food with Kongnamul is endless because Kongnamul is a basic source of Korean food.

Next, Gukbap is Guk plus Bap(rice). Guk is a kind of soup, eating with rice. It is a basic dish for the Korean table setting. A kind of Guk is endless because the name of Guk is decided by its main ingredient. For example, Miyeok guk is made of seaweed with additional ingredients; moreover, Kongnamul guk is made of Kongnamul with additional ingredients, too. Kongnamulguk is the basic food of Korean dish because it is easy to make, and it’s a mild-tasting. Therefore, Kongnamul gukbap is Kongnamul soup with rice.

Kongnamul gukbap’s recipe is various, but the most typical Kongnamul gukbap is Jeonju Kongnamul gukbap. Jeonju is city of Korea; in addition, Jeonju is famous for the Korean traditional village. There are many Korean traditional houses and foods. Jeonju Kongnamus gukbap is a little different from other Kongnamul gukbap. Jeonju Kongnamul gukbap is served with raw egg seperately. There is a special recipe with this egg. First, put 2 spoon of the soup, Kongnamul gukbap, and then, put seasoned lavers a little. At first it looks like strange but the taste is wonderful! After eating egg, put the rice in the soup; also put salted shrimp and pepper a little. It will be a great Kongnamul gukbap. Why don’t you try this delicious Korean soup?