Korean name (South Korea) | |
Hangul | 도시락 |
---|---|
Revised Romanization | dosirak |
McCune–Reischauer | tosirak |
IPA | [to.ɕi.ɾak̚] |
Korean name (North Korea) | |
Hangul | 곽밥 |
---|---|
Revised Romanization | gwakbap |
McCune–Reischauer | kwakpap |
IPA | [kwak̚.p͈ap̚] |
Dosirak ( Korean: 도시락), also known as Gwakbap (곽밥) refers to a packed meal, often for lunch. It usually consists of bap (밥, cooked rice) and several banchan (side dishes). [1] [2] The lunch boxes, also called dosirak or dosirak-tong (dosirak case), are typically plastic or thermo-steel containers with or without compartments or tiers. [3] Dosirak is often home-made, but is also sold in train stations and convenience stores. [4] [5]
Dosirak is derived from the Early Modern Korean word "도슭". [6] Records dating to the 18th century attest to this as well as other variations such as "밥고리", and "밥동고리". [7] The practice of packing food as done with dosirak isn't a unique practice to Korean Cuisine, and the modern dosirak can be seen as the Korean form of lunch boxes.
Home-made dosirak is often packed in tiered lunch boxes that can separate bap (cooked rice) and banchan (side dishes). [8] The guk (soup) tier, if included, is usually kept warm by insulation. [9] Plastic or thermo-steel containers are most common, but combinations of wood and lacquer, ceramics and bamboo, as well as other materials, are also used. [10]
Yennal-dosirak (옛날 도시락; "old-time dosirak") consists of bap (rice), stir-fried kimchi, egg-washed and pan-fried sausages, fried eggs, and shredded gim (seaweed), typically packed in a rectangular lunchbox made of tinplate or German silver. It is shaken with the lid on, thereby mixing the ingredients prior to eating. [3] [9] [11] Gimbap-dosirak (김밥 도시락; "packed gimbap"), made with sliced gimbap (seaweed rolls), is often packed for picnics. [12]