What Is Bibimbap?
“Bibim” means “mixed” and “bap” means “rice.” Bibimbap is a dish of rice with various vegetables, meat and a spicy sauce, all mixed together in a bowl.
- Nutritious and balanced
- Full of colors and flavors
- A true taste of Korea
Korea Food Guide · Guide 19
Bibimbap
Bibimbap is a bowl of warm rice topped with fresh vegetables, meat, egg and gochujang — mixed together for a perfect bite in every spoonful.
01 — Overview
Quick Summary
Bibimbap is a bowl of warm rice topped with fresh vegetables, meat, egg and gochujang — mixed together for a perfect bite in every spoonful.
Key takeaways
- “Bibim” means mixed and “bap” means rice.
- Colorful, healthy and balanced — a true taste of Korea.
- Adjust the gochujang to suit your spice level.
- Basic bowls start at ₩8,000–₩12,000.
02 — Full Guide
The Complete Guide
Main Ingredients
- Rice
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Bean sprouts
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Seasoned beef
- Kimchi
- Gochujang (spicy sauce)
- Egg
How to Enjoy Bibimbap
You can adjust the amount of gochujang to your spice preference.
- Add a spoon of gochujang (spicy red chili paste).
- Mix everything well until the ingredients and rice are combined.
- Taste the perfect balance of spicy, savory and nutty flavors.
- Enjoy with a bowl of soup or side dishes (banchan).
Types of Bibimbap
- Jeonju Bibimbap — famous for its rich flavors and variety of ingredients.
- Dolsot Bibimbap — served in a hot stone bowl with crispy rice (nurungji) at the bottom.
- Yukhoe Bibimbap — topped with fresh seasoned raw beef.
- Vegetable Bibimbap — a healthy option with no meat.
Good With
- Doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew)
- Kimchi
- Korean soup (miyeokguk, etc.)
Where to Try Bibimbap
- Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do — the home of Jeonju bibimbap.
- Gwangjang Market, Seoul — traditional market with delicious bibimbap.
- Local hanok restaurants — bibimbap in a traditional Korean house.
- Many restaurants across Korea — easy to find and always satisfying.
Average Price (KRW)
Prices may vary by location and restaurant.
- Basic bibimbap: ₩8,000 – ₩12,000
- Dolsot bibimbap: ₩10,000 – ₩16,000
- Yukhoe bibimbap: ₩13,000 – ₩20,000
- Premium restaurants: ₩15,000 – ₩25,000
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition may vary depending on ingredients.
- Calories: 500–700 kcal
- Protein: 20–30 g
- Carbohydrates: 70–90 g
- Fat: 10–20 g
- Fiber: 5–8 g
Did You Know?
- Bibimbap was listed as one of the “World's 50 Most Delicious Foods” by CNN Go.
- It's a perfect balance of health, flavor and tradition.
- The five colors (red, yellow, green, white, black) represent the five elements in Korean philosophy.
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