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.

Varieties

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]

Gallery

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  Seonbi's Lunch
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  Pile Type Dosirak of the Joseon Dynasty
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  Home-made dosirak
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  Yennal-dosirak (old-time dosirak)
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  Dosirak sold in convenience stores
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  Simple dosirak in a plastic container
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  Thermal dosirak case
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  Catering company storefront, Koreatown, Los Angeles