Have you heard of 봄동 비빔밥? 🥬

Just a few months ago, we wrote about the 두쫀쿠 craziness. Now, that craze has died down. The new "두쫀쿠" is now 봄동 비빔밥 (Spring Cabbage Bibimbap)! 🥬

Yup, Korean trends change super quickly.

You probably already know what 비빔밥 is—a Korean staple where 밥 (rice) is mixed with different kinds of vegetables and meat, topped with a fried egg, and finished with a drizzle of 고추장 (Korean red pepper paste) and 참기름 (sesame oil)!

So, what exactly is 봄동?

봄동 is spring cabbage. Unlike typical cabbage, it is sown (씨 뿌리다) in the winter and harvested (수확하다) in the spring. To survive the harsh winter, it grows flat on the ground instead of forming a typical round head. This helps it protect itself from the winter wind and get the maximum amount of sun exposure. Because of its open-head shape, every leaf gets plenty of sunlight, making the texture crunchy and the taste much sweeter and more complex. Since it’s grown during the cold winter, there are no insects to worry about, making it naturally organic (유기농). 봄동 is typically only available for a few weeks during early spring.

Because it grows open and so close to the ground, it looks like a flower. After all, it also "blooms" in the spring!

Beautiful flower-like 봄동 🌸

It reminded us of the vineyards in Santorini, where the harsh island winds make the grapevines grow low to the ground in basket shapes.

Low-growing vinyard in Santorini, Greece

Koreans typically make fresh kimchi (겉절이) with 봄동. Its crunchy texture and natural sweetness make for the perfect 겉절이. 봄동 비빔밥 is basically this fresh kimchi mixed with rice. Just add some meat or an egg, and definitely finish it with 참기름. It’s super easy to make!

The Korean Food Promotion Institute has a series of videos introducing unique Korean ingredients, and Michelin-star chef Joseph Lidgerwood talks all about 봄동 in one of them.

Actually, what sparked this recent 봄동 비빔밥 craze is a classic video clip from 2008 (yes, that’s 18 years ago!). It’s from the then-super-popular reality show, 1박 2일 (2 Days & 1 Night). In the clip, a member was supposed to have only 한 숟가락 (one spoonful), but he ended up eating almost the entire bowl, leaving only one tiny spoonful behind! 😅 But even before this recent trend, 봄동 비빔밥 has always been a beloved 제철 음식 (seasonal food) in Korea.

If you live in Korea, and want to join this latest food trend, here is a receipt to make 봄동 비빔밥! 🥬 As long as you have 봄동, it is super easy to make.

🥗 Spring Cabbage Bibimbap Recipe (봄동 비빔밥 레시피)

1. After washing the spring cabbage, cut it into bite-sized pieces and toss lightly with sesame oil, minced garlic, chili powder, and a touch of salt or soy sauce.
봄동을 물에 씻은 뒤 먹기 좋은 크기로 썰어 참기름, 다진 마늘, 고춧가루, 약간의 소금이나 국간장으로 가볍게 무쳐주세요.

2. It is best to toss it gently, as pressing too hard can ruin the fresh texture and cause a "grassy" smell.
너무 세게 치대면 봄동의 싱싱한 식감이 죽고 풋내가 날 수 있어서 살살 버무리는 것이 좋습니다.

3. You can also add a little bit of vinegar if you want a slightly sour and refreshing taste.
약간 새콤한 맛을 원한다면 취향에 따라 식초를 조금 넣어도 좋아요.

4. Place the seasoned spring cabbage over rice and add toppings like a fried egg or minced beef.
준비된 봄동 겉절이를 쌀밥 위에 올리고 취향에 따라 계란후라이나 다진 소고기 등을 고명으로 얹어줍니다.

5. Finish it off with a drop of perilla or sesame oil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
마지막으로 들기름이나 참기름을 한 방울 떨어뜨리고 깨를 뿌려 마무리하면 됩니다.

6. You can use very hot rice to soften the leaves or warm rice to keep the spring cabbage crunchy.
취향에 따라 아주 뜨거운 밥을 얹어 숨을 죽여서 먹어도 되고, 적당히 따뜻한 밥을 얹어 봄동 특유의 식감을 살려도 좋습니다.