Bibimbap

A labor of love

For me, bibimbap had always been one of those foods that was simple and rustic. All that was required was to scoop rice out of the rice cooker and take the banchan (side dishes) out of the fridge. Place everything in a bowl, top with gochujang, and then mix. It was easy; a homey dish to simply enjoy. I especially reminisce of the bibimbap my late grandma would make since it was one of the foods that were readily available in her kitchen. I would remember her sitting in the kitchen with a bowl of bibimbap as I wobbled over to steal a bite. It was not until I made the dish myself that I truly realized what a labor of love making bibimbap was and is. The dish has so many components and varying ingredients that each are prepared in different ways. Making each side dish separately and ahead of time will definitely make this dish feel easier. But if you make everything at once, like I did, it becomes quite laborious.