Bibimbap
/ˈbiː.bɪm.bæp/noun
A Korean dish of rice topped with vegetables, meat, egg, and other ingredients, usually mixed before eating.
Did you know?Bibimbap was historically associated with the Korean term 골동반 (goldongban), meaning a dish in which assorted ingredients were mixed together, showing that the concept predates the modern romanized name.
Etymological Timeline
Early Korean
Korean
비비다 (bibida)
“To rub, mix, or stir repeatedly; the verb underlying the dish’s name.”
Late Joseon period
Korean
골동반 (goldongban)
“A mixed rice dish made with assorted ingredients; an older name associated with bibimbap.”
19th Century
Korean
부빔밥 (bubimbap)
“An older spelling or form referring to rice mixed with other ingredients.”
20th Century
Korean
비빔밥 (bibimbap)
“The modern Korean form: mixed rice.”
20th–21st Century
English
bibimbap
“An English loanword for the Korean mixed-rice dish, now widely used internationally.”