Jinju Bibimpab

On my way through Jinju, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sample the regional dish, Jinju bibimpab. Each region has its own dish representative of the area's particular culinary specialities.

When I lived in Sri Lanka, I had managed to keep a strict vegetarian almost vegan diet for about one year, which wasn't all that difficult. Unlike Indian cuisine, dishes containing meat such as beef or pork are quite common. However the varieties of vegetarian or fish recipes are so numerous and flavourful, they are usually the preferred option. Once in Korea, I quickly discovered maintaining similar eating habits would be a challenge.

Although Koreans eat a mostly vegetarian diet, Korean dishes with no seafood or meat are extremely difficult to find. Even if not visible to the eye, the seasoning or stock may be meat-based. I wanted to take advantage of my time here and be able to sample all of the local fare. So, I knew I would have to modify my diet. But I was determined to continue eating meals that consisted mostly of vegetables and grains. So, bibimbap became a frequent choice from the menu.

The dish comes in many variations. Jeonju bibimpab with over 50 local ingredients is the most famous variation of the recipe. Many will be meatless, although there will be an omnipresent egg. The standard ingredients consist mostly of shoots, sprouts, roots, rice, barbecued beef and an egg. For seasoning, you'll have a dollop of fermented chili paste (kochujang), sesame oil, sesame seeds and strips of toasted sea weed (kheem). The Jinju version adds slices of cooked and seasoned zucchini, Asian radish, and Shiitake mushrooms.

The assortment of colours and aromas made it difficult to resist. The presentation itself had my mouth watering. After mixing up all the ingredients in my bowl, I started on my meal savouring each spoon full. Not only did it taste incredible but it's nutritious and quite filling. I continued to find little sesame seeds in the crevices of my mouth. I happily chewed them reliving the meal with each bite.


by Paula Kim

History of Cremation in Korea

History of Cremations in Korea

Although Buddhism is still the major religion in Korea, it is that only by a small margin. Neo-confucianism albeit not a religion but moreso a philosophy is by far the ruling mindset of the people. So although Buddhism has been around longer, Neo-confucianism has had a much stronger influence on society.

After being around for 200 years, Buddhism had finally established itself as the official religion in the 7th century. That is when the idea of cremations as part of the funeral rite started and continued to be the widespread practise of the nobility and common people alike. Before that people would be buried in an above-ground mound at their homes.

Around the end of the Goryeo period and the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) Confucianism was introduced to the country and cremation was gradually abandoned in favour of burial. Although cremations were still practised by the faithful, continuous prohibitive action by the intolerant Confucian regime lead to its disapearance.

It was during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945 that cremation was re-introduced in an effort to eliminate any trace of Korean culture. Crematoriums were built and used profusely. However Koreans keeping to their customs continued to have funerary burials.

Because of its association with the coercive policies of the Japanese, cremation remained unpopular. Even Buddhists chose to bury their dead. It was only the very poor in urban areas where children, unmarried people and those who committed suicide were sent to the poorly maintained crematoriums. That was the state of funerals until the mid-1990s.

To improve the situation of the encroaching grave sites a policy reform to restrict burials and encourage cremations was taking shape. The land area taken up by the grave sites was at 1% which is roughly the size of metropolitan Seoul. Every year the country was losing more and more land to the graveyards.

Therefore a cremation policy was launched supported by the media and citizen groups from all over the country. It was only after this massive support campaign and the cremations of some notable figures that cremation's image started to change.

In 2002, all the major cities such as Seoul, Busan and Incheon had more than 50% of their funerals end in cremations. And the numbers are rising every year. By 2010, Seoul will have a 80% cremation rate.

For more information you can read the Encyclopedia of Cremationedited by Davies and Mates, 2005.

by Paula Kim