The Korean dish bibimbap, which literally means mixed rice, is getting a lot of traction for its diversity, ease to make, health benefits, scalability and taste. The traditional version is a variety of sauteed vegetable, boolgogi, fried egg over a
The Korean dish bibimbap, which literally means mixed rice, is getting a lot of traction for its diversity, ease to make, health benefits, scalability and taste. The traditional version is a variety of sauteed vegetable, boolgogi, fried egg over a bed of white rice. It is topped with gochujang and a hint of sesame oil which is then all mixed together.
The variation of bibimbap is almost endless. You can make a vegetarian version, a meat-heavy version, spicy, non-spicy, hot or cold.
To start, choose a large bowl or there is a scorching hot stone bowl version. The hot stone version will leave you a nice layer of scorched rice that is crunchy. Then choose your rice — brown, white, quinoa, and some will choose not to use rice at all and instead use tofu.
You can choose any vegetable of your choice and any protein if desired. Any Korean person will tell you the best bibimbap is taking all the leftover ban chan in your fridge and throwing it all together in a big bowl with a heap of gochujang, sesame oil, egg cooked over hard and mixed.
My favorite is to add a little more sesame oil at the end and topping it all off with generous sprinkling of Korean flavored seaweed.
Weekly Update
‘Breezy Love’
Episodes 38 & 39
Today, 6:30 p.m.: Deokcheon takes Shinae to meet Daehoon. When Daehoon doesn’t recognize his own daughter, Deokcheon thinks it’s due to shock from escaping the North. Deokcheon pledges to get him treatment to make him better. Shinae ponders what lies she’d need to come up with this time.
Today, 7:45 p.m.: Shinae confronts Mipoong and Youngae when they tell her they won’t be leaving for the States. Shinae tries to persuade them to leave, and Mipoong says she believes her father is in Korea. Shinae turns pale and rebuts her, saying it’s a ridiculous notion when her father is dead.
‘Love Temperature’
Episodes 9 & 10 (Mon); 11 & 12 (Tues)
Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Jung-sun and Hyun-soo meet again after five years. They both have moved on in their career: Hyun-soo is a screenwriter, and Jung-sun owns a restaurant. Jung-sun tells Hyun-soo his career is more important than love at this point in life. Hyun-soo is taken aback by his remark, but can’t seem to give him up.
Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Timing is always the worst enemy for Hyun-soo and Jung-sun, when it comes to professing their feelings for each other. Hyun-soo suffers from endless conflict with her director, putting her in a delicate emotional state. Jung-sun decides to appear in a variety cooking show to boost his business.
‘While You Were Sleeping’
Episodes 9 & 10 (Wed); 11 & 12 (Thur)
Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Hong-joo defies her fate and goes back to her work as a reporter. She believes her fate can be changed and challenges her dreams. She asks Jae-chan whether she should go back to her job.
Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: A criminal seeks out Yoo-bum’s counsel. The case has 99 percent conviction in everyone else’s eyes, except for the defense counsel Yoo-bum. An unexpected case causes Yoo-bum to blame the prosecutors for their ineptness. Hong-joo wakes up with a scream from her nightmare.
‘Band of Sisters’
Episodes 61 & 62 (Fri); 63 & 64 (Sat)
Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Se-joon tells Chairman Goo that Ki-chan is actually Se-ho. Chairman refuses to believe him. Breaking down in tears, Se-kyung begs for more time.
Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Se-joon asks Ha-ri if he can love her again. Deul-re finds out that Se-kyung is ill. Se-joon and Mr. Oh’s DNA test result is out, and …
•••
Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. This column offers synopses of the dramas playing throughout Hawaii. Chung can be reached at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.
