I have had bibimbap before in America, but I was so excited to try the actual Korean version; I definitely wasn't disappointed. It was a highlight of my day, and I was so happy because it was such a great meal for ten dollars. It was also a fun dinner because I got to eat it while meeting some new friends from around the world, from Korea to Switzerland to Mexico. I've been looking forward to having another meal like that ever since!
The food was prepared really quickly; it only took about 5 minutes after we placed our order to receive it. The waiter first brought out all of our bowls and laid them on the table for us without letting the bowls touch us. They do this because for many dishes in Korea, the meal is served in a hot stone or metal bowl that has been heated up over a fire beforehand. I've had soups many times before in Korea, where the food is served while still boiling. For bibimbap, I've also had it where I grilled the beef myself. The waiter lights some charcoal in the middle of the table and then places a grill on top so that I can do my own cooking, which is always so cool!
From what I read online, bibimbap started as a dish in the countryside, and it was meant to use up leftover ingredients. Because it was created by farmers, it has a lot of vegetables. It's a big meal because it was intended for workers who needed a lot of energy, but now it's commonly eaten before the Lunar New Year. During this time, families aim to use up all the old ingredients in the house, leaving only new ingredients for the new year.
