Mixed rice
돌솥비빔밥 Dolsotbibimbap
Rice with vegetables, meat and egg served sizzling in a heated stone pot, where the bottom rice turns crisp.
Spice: Mild
Bibimbap (mixed rice)
비빔밥 Bibimbap
Rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat and an egg, mixed with chili paste at the table.
- Bibimbap
- Spice: Mild
- Vegetarian option
- Contains beef
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Rice, seasoned vegetables, beef, egg, chili paste (gochujang) |
| How it's served | Toppings over rice in a wide bowl or hot stone bowl (dolsot), with chili paste, soup and side dishes |
| Spice level | Mild — A little warmth. Fine for most people. |
| Diet | Vegetarian option · Contains beef — The dish is meat-free, or a meat-free version is commonly served. Still check the broth and sauces. Beef or beef stock is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Soy · Wheat · Sesame · Egg |
| Ask about | The egg is sometimes served raw; some restaurants add beef broth or fish-based side dishes. |
| On the menu | 비빔밥 (Bibimbap) |
| Also called | bibimbab · bibim bap · Korean mixed rice |
| Region | Nationwide · Jeonju |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Bibimbap
Add chili paste to taste
The chili paste comes on top or on the side. Start with a little, since you can always add more.
Mix it all together
Stir the rice, toppings and chili paste until the rice is evenly coated. Many people use a spoon for this.
Eat it with a spoon
Sip the soup between spoonfuls. Side dishes are often refilled for free.
How to order it
Order it as 비빔밥. It comes as a single bowl, so one person can order it alone.
- On the menu: 비빔밥
- Usually sold: 1 serving
Where it comes from
It was once also called goldongban, and the royal court called it bibim. It first appears in writing in the late 1800s, in Siuijeonseo. It is thought to have grown out of ritual meals, where rice was mixed with the food offerings and shared. Jeonju and Jinju versions are especially well known.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
Questions about Bibimbap
Is bibimbap vegetarian?
It can be. Many restaurants will leave out the beef if you ask, but the soup on the side is often made with beef or anchovy stock.
How spicy is bibimbap?
Mild. The heat comes from the chili paste, and you decide how much to add.
What is in bibimbap?
Rice with several seasoned vegetables, such as bean sprouts, spinach, carrot and mushrooms, plus beef and an egg. The toppings change from place to place.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026