Every year, as the full moon rises on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, families across South Korea celebrate Chuseok, the Harvest Moon Festival. An event deeply rooted in Korean culture; it is often referred to as “Korean Thanksgiving.” The holiday embodies the spirit of gratitude, commemorating good harvests and honoring ancestors. At the heart of this festival lie various delicious traditional foods that satiate taste buds and carry significant cultural symbolism. Let us dive into the world of Chuseok food traditions to understand how they elevate the significance of this beautiful festival.  

• Songpyeon (송편)  

The most iconic Chuseok treat, songpyeon, is a small, crescent-shaped rice cake stuffed with fillings like sesame seeds, honey, chestnuts, or sweetened red bean paste. After being filled, they steam over a bed of fresh pine needles, which gives them a subtle pine aroma. Songpyeon’s shape symbolizes the moon, and the process of families coming together to make these treats is a cherished tradition.  

• Jeon (전)  

Jeon are Korean pancakes made with a variety of ingredients. They can be both savory and sweet, containing fish, meat, vegetables, or even fruits, all coated in a batter and pan-fried to perfection. Jeon is often served during Chuseok, representing bounty and the harmonious mixture of various ingredients. 

• Japchae (잡채)  

Currently served as a hot topping in a store near you, Japchae (aka our Sweet Potato Noodles) Japchae combines glass noodles made from sweet potato starch with colorful vegetables and sometimes meat. This dish is seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil, giving it a savory and slightly sweet taste. Fun Fact: Many believe Japchae’s transparent noodles represent the full moon’s clarity.  

• Galbi-jjim (갈비찜)  

Galbi-jjim is a rich and flavorful braised beef rib dish. The ribs marinate in soy sauce, sugar, and other seasonings before being simmered with ingredients like jujubes, chestnuts, and ginseng. The resultant dish is soft, juicy, and deeply satisfying, representing the luxury of sharing a hearty meal with loved ones.  Find one of our favorite recipes here.

• Hangwa (한과)  

These Traditional Korean confections include grains, fruits, roots, and honey or sugar. They come in various shapes, colors, and flavors and often have intricate designs. Hangwa is not only delightful to eat but is also visually appealing, embodying the artistry and beauty of Korean culture.  

Honoring Ancestors with Food  

One of the essential aspects of Chuseok is Charye, an ancestral rite performed to show respect and gratitude to deceased family members. Families prepare a table laden with various foods, including fruits, meats, and traditional dishes, which are offered ceremonially to the spirits of ancestors. This ritual strengthens familial ties and emphasizes the importance of remembering and respecting one’s roots.  

Chuseok is a festival highlighting the importance of family, tradition, and gratitude. The food consumed during this holiday is more than just sustenance; it symbolizes shared heritage, the passage of time, and the bonds that tie generations together. Whether you are of Korean descent or simply a food enthusiast, immersing yourself in these Chuseok food traditions is a delightful way to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of Korean culture. Happy belated Chuseok!

The post Chuseok Food Traditions: Celebrating the Harvest Moon Festival   appeared first on BIBIBOP Asian Grill.

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, we will gift you a SURPRISE reward if you visit us on January 22nd 1st, using your BIBIBOP Rewards App in-store or online. What could this year’s offer have in store? You’ll have to order to find out. 

How to Receive Your Surprise Reward:

Order with your BIBIBOP Rewards account online, through the BIBIBOP app/website, or by scanning your app in-store, and enjoy your bowl. After that, check your BIBIBOP Rewards account because your special offer is on the way while you eat! 

Details

Make a full-price purchase of at least $1 with your BIBIBOP Rewards account on 1/22/23, earn a surprise reward.

Other rewards and discounts cannot be combined with the Lunar New Year challenge. Lunar New Year Rewards are only available on full-priced orders. Challenge is valid 1/22/23. Rewards won from this challenge will be valid for 14 days, expiring end of day on 2/4/23

The post CELEBRATE WITH BIBIBOP ON JANUARY 22ND, 2023! appeared first on BIBIBOP Asian Grill.

Many celebrities, fitness coaches, and influencers have used their social media platforms lately to share the benefits of a gluten-free diet; however, it is vital to remember that these diets they promote may not be for everyone.   

To help you learn a bit more about gluten-free diets, we researched a handful of medical professionals and specialists in internal medicine & obesity. These individuals helped define the dangers and advantages of cutting gluten and how to make it part of a healthy eating program.  

What is a gluten-free diet?  

Gluten-free diets refer to consuming only whole foods that do not contain gluten, like the fruits and vegetables you pretended to enjoy as a kid, meat and eggs, and processed gluten-free foods like gluten-free bread or your favorite pasta.  

Although gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in foods, companies may add it during processing to give their food more texture &/or flavor. Always consider gluten could be in foods you might not expect, such as sauces, frozen desserts, and your pre-workout supplement.  

Some people are convinced going gluten-free means not eating carbohydrates, but this is not the case. At BIBIBOP, many foods containing carbs, such as white rice, purple rice, potatoes, and beans, do not have any gluten.  

Who might benefit from eating a gluten-free meal?  

Guests who have been diagnosed with celiac disease  

A gluten-free diet is essential for guests with celiac disease, an autoimmune response to gluten causing the body to impact the small intestine, causing pain, nausea, bloating, or diarrhea.  

Guests who might have a gluten sensitivity  

Another possibility that may prompt someone to kick gluten from their diet is non-celiac gluten sensitivities (also known as gluten intolerances). Although there might not be clear explanations for gluten intolerance, specialists continue to learn how to help.   

From our research, it is important not to assume that gastrointestinal irritation results from gluten. If you are reading this and thinking you might have a gluten intolerance, we recommend you work with a physician or a dietitian to get the necessary information.  

People with a wheat allergy  

Wheat can trigger an immune response in our bodies, which causes symptoms such as rashes, headaches, or sneezing. Remember that you can still find gluten in other grains.  

Can you go gluten-free to lose weight?  

People who adopt a gluten-free diet might be known to lose weight. Still, it could be because they are also mindful about consuming some of their favorite processed foods and refined carbohydrates that contain gluten. If you stop eating gluten to get to your weight loss goals, you will want to watch your portion sizes, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy number of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and those leaner protein options.  

Are there any risks to trying gluten-free dieting even if I am not celiac?  

If you eliminate gluten from your diet entirely, you risk missing opportunities to have nutritious whole grains, fibers, and micronutrients. Getting your daily recommended servings of whole grains in your diet is especially important if you have a known history of heart disease or diabetes. In case you did not know, whole grains can lower cholesterol levels while helping to regulate blood sugar numbers. In addition, those same gluten-containing foods are sources of essential vitamins and minerals, including magnesium.  

Remember that some processed gluten-free foods contain not-so-healthy ingredients like sodium, sugar, and fat. Indulging in these foods could lead to weight gain, blood sugar rollercoasters, and high blood pressure, among other problems. So, a gluten-free label will only necessarily qualify food as healthy if you think ahead.  

If you do not have celiac disease or gastrointestinal irritation but want to eat better, remove some highly processed foods before eliminating gluten. Add more fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread or pasta, and lean proteins. Many people will feel better simply by making better food selections, not removing gluten from their diet.  

Can I go through gluten withdrawal if I start eating gluten-free?  

No scientific evidence suggests that people suffer “withdrawal” when they stop eating gluten. Some people might feel dizzy, nauseous, anxious, and depressed when they quit gluten cold turkey. You will be happy to know that symptoms like these go away in weeks on a gluten-free diet but stay connected with your healthcare provider if symptoms continue.  

How do I get started on my journey to gluten-free dieting?  

If you are interested in beginning a gluten-free diet, start with a conversation with your healthcare provider. They have access to your history and can guide you to balance your eating plan that meets all restrictions.  

Tips for making thoughtful adjustments if you have celiac disease include:  

• Read the room – Check for warnings on packages. Many products that do not contain gluten could be processed in a facility with gluten-filled foods. Also, remember that some artificial colors and seasonings also contain gluten.  
• Keep utensils, dishes, and other food prep items used for gluten-containing foods separate from your knives.  
• Find alternative grain flour for wheat flour in cooking and baking.  

Are you ready to try our Gluten-Free menu? Find a location nearest you. We’d love to see you.

The post Gluten-Free Comes Naturally  appeared first on BIBIBOP Asian Grill.

Recently the Cleveland Clinic sat down with registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD to talk about food and the immune system.

Usually it takes a global issue like coronavirus or SARS to get people thinking about their ability to fight off disease, but BIBIBOP Asian Grill  is here to encourage you to focus on your well-being each and every day.

A healthy and delicious way to boost your immune system is to add more color to your diet!

“Try to eat a wide variety foods, and aim to eat fruit and vegetables from every color of the rainbow. Your plate (will) be more enticing to look at, and you will ensure that you’re getting as many health-boosting vitamins and nutrients as possible.” – Julia Zumpano

Colorful foods are packed with vitamins and nutrients that strengthen your immune system and fight off disease because colorful foods are filled with Vitamins C, B6, and E.

At BIBIBOP, you can get Vitamin C from our Kale, Broccoli (which also contains Vitamin E), while our Eggs, Steak, and Carrots are good sources for Vitamin B6.

Adding news colors to your BIBIBOP bowl is a great way to focus on your well-being, but it also needs to be part of a larger focus on eating a diet that will keep you healthy through cold and flu season.

It’s also important to know that you build a strong immune system by maintaining healthy eating habits over time. You can’t eat four oranges at breakfast and expect to be protected that day against catching a cold.

Maybe only eat two oranges with breakfast, that way you’ll have plenty of room for a healthy and affordable lunch at BIBIBOP to boost your immune system and your well-being!

The post The Color of Health appeared first on BIBIBOP Asian Grill.