Bulgogi Bop - the secret is in the sauce

Posted on Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 10:07 a.m.

Bulgogi Bop - the secret is in the sauce

By Peggy Lampman

Bulgogi Bim Bop

Peggy Lampman | Contributor

Peggy Lampman's Friday dinnerFeed

Bibimbap, Bibimbop, Bi Bim Bop, B-Bop, Tofu bop, Beef Bop, beep beep b-bop...variations of the name have as many variations as the recipes. After this week, I'm on a first name basis, so affectionately refer to this Korean egg, rice and vegetable dish simply as Bop.

You'll have to read yesterday's saga regarding my quest for making an authentic Korean bulgogi, which is the marinated beef commonly used as one of the components in bops. The following "recipe" uses leftovers from yesterday's supper.

I was planning on making all of the vegetable ingredients seperately. At least that was the plan, until I shopped at Hyundai Market on Platt and Ellsworth.

I'm not positive what I purchased, Ms. Kim only knew the Korean names. But I'm certain daikon shreds and sprouts, tossed with Korean chili paste, were part of the composition; there was spinach, and there was a brown spaghetti-like item, which tasted like some sort of fermented vegetable.

Bop veggies ready-to-go at Hyundai Asian Market.

Any vegetables you enjoy or have on hand would work. The secret to delicious bop, as one reader, Susan Jordan, shared with me, is in the sauce. She advised me to procure the recipe from Kosmo deli. I failed in that mission, but made an acceptable version based on Ms. Kim's advise.

There's another bop — Dolsot Bi Bim Bap — which is served in a hot stone pot and supposedly keeps the bob hot and rice crunchy. I haven't tried this but imagine it would elevate the dish to another plateau.

The secret to the best bop is the best sauce.

No time to cook? More than likely there's a bop near you. My son's favorite is Tianchu, downtown near State. I enjoy spending Sunday mornings eating Bop with my paper at Bell's Diner on Stadium. And let's not forget Kosmo Deli in Kerrytown or BeWon, next to the Busch's on Plymouth Road.

Ingredients

Steamed white rice
Assorted vegetables such as sprouts, shredded daikon and/or carrot, blanched spinach and julienned zucchini, and sautéed mushrooms*
Fried eggs seasoned with kosher salt and sprinkled with sesame seeds
Bulgogi (See yesterday's blog for recipe — pork, chicken and tofu may be substituted.)
Korean Pepper Sauce (See yesterday's blog for recipe.)

* I purchased seasoned shredded vegetables, sprouts and spinach ready-to-go at Hyundai Asian Market.

Directions

1. Divide steamed rice into serving bowls.
2. Arrange vegetables and proteins on rice; top with the fried egg. Mix together and enjoy, passing the Korean Pepper Sauce.

My new web site (packed with holiday recipes) is coming soon! But in the meantime, If you're looking for a specific recipe, click here for dinnerFeed's recipe search engine; type the recipe or ingredient into the search box. I am a real-time food writer and photographer posting daily feeds on my website and in the Food & Drink section of Annarbor.com. You may also e-mail me at peggy@dinnerfeed.com.

Comments

Jim Kirk

Mon, Nov 7, 2011 : 5:58 p.m.

In the early `90s I used to get BiBimBop at Hinodae on State Street where Totoro is now. It was an order/pay/pick up your tray kind of place and they always had lunch specials including BBB, Oyako Donburi, and Jajang. Your article got me enthused about BBB again and I went to Tianchu on William for some and liked it. I've since determined to make it myself and visited all the Asian groceries. Hyundae was the first and, frankly, the least convenient for a carless, bus-riding person. Ms Kim was so enthusiastic about recommending things to me that I bought a lot from her. From my point of view the best grocery is Manna in terms of location, selection and price (sorry Ms. Kim) The Kroger store at Plymouth & Nixon is undergoing a significant reorganization right now and I'm not sure what the ultimate goal is, but I just noticed that their international aisle has expanded significantly, including most basic Korean ingredients. And, the prices are very good (sorry Manna)

hellomornings

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.

My two favorite places for bibimbap in Ann Arbor - Seoul Street off Plymouth (inside the complex with Panera and Qdoba) and Broadway Cafe (off Plymouth and Broadway). Very different from one another, but both equally amazing.

Christopher Taylor

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.

Great articles. Check out too The Galleria on 3111 Packard Rd. Large, bright, amazing service. Great take out / prepared foods. Try the Shredded Squid or KimBop!

Peggy Lampman

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 4:58 p.m.

Thanks, Christopher. I had no idea The Galleria had these items, and will certainly check them out. Peggy

Dr. Fate

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3:25 p.m.

"B-Bop, Tofu bop, Beef Bop, beep beep b-bop...variations of the name" I think I can safely speak for all Koreans in the past, present, and future when I say that NO Korean has ever used those particular variations to describe bibimpap. Please, for the love of Korean food, just don't. If those names were made up for humor, I would add a laugh track because it isn't funny enough on its own.

treetowncartel

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 3 p.m.

Oh come on, if you were in tune you would know it was in reference to a prior article concerning the decision by the state of Texas to take away the choice of a last meal by a prisoner before their execution.Also, I didn't know the Pope trademarked the words "last supper". News to me.

Dorothy

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 1:21 p.m.

Thanks for changing the headline from the hard copy one staring at me on the from page this morning. As a Christian (liberal, not that easily offended), I was pretty dismayed to see the phrase "The Last Supper" used as a pun in an article about favorite meals. Kind of cheap, and shows a rather big lack of sensitivity and respect, I think.

Ron Granger

Fri, Oct 21, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.

Oh please.