Korean name (South Korea) | |
Hangul | 도시락 |
---|---|
Hanja | 道食樂 |
Revised Romanization | dosirak |
McCune–Reischauer | tosirak |
IPA | [to.ɕi.ɾak̚] |
Korean name (North Korea) | |
Hangul | 곽밥 |
---|---|
Hanja | 槨- |
Revised Romanization | gwakbap |
McCune–Reischauer | kwakpap |
IPA | [kwak̚.p͈ap̚] |
Dosirak (Hangul: 도시락; Hanja: 道食樂), also known as Gwakbap (Hangul: 곽밥; Hanja: 槨-) 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 was introduced to Korea during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945). During that period, Korean cuisine adopted Western food and drink, as well as some Japanese food items such as Bento or sushi rolled in sheets of seaweed, popularized in Korea under the name of gimbap.[6]
Home-made dosirak is often packed in tiered lunch boxes that can separate bap (cooked rice) and banchan (side dishes).[7] The guk (soup) tier, if included, is usually kept warm by insulation.[8] 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.[9]
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][8]
Gimbap-dosirak (김밥 도시락; "packed gimbap"), made with sliced gimbap (seaweed rolls), is often packed for picnics.[10]
Seonbi's Lunch
Pile Type Dosirak of the Joseon Dynasty
Home-made dosirak
Yennal-dosirak (old-time dosirak)
Gimbap-dosirak
Dosirak sold in convenience stores
Simple dosirak in a plastic container
Thermal dosirak case
Catering company storefront, Koreatown, Los Angeles