GUJEOLPAN
Gujeolpan, known to many
as cuisine of Korean royalty during the Chosun era, is a dish
thats named after the container its served in. Gu means nine, a lucky number to the
Koreans, and jeolpan
refers to the divided sections of the container. Unlike most Korean
food thats served in ceramic or brass containers, the gujeolpan is usually made of wood,
with more elaborate versions inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The eight
surrounding compartments of the gujeolpan are filled with a
ingredients like abalone, vegetables, mushroom, beef, cucumber, etc
- the selection varies depending on the occasion. The centre
compartment is reserved for the thin pancakes.
Gujeolpan is a great dish
to serve as an appetiser, even an accompaniment for alcoholic
beverages when entertaining guests. Usually geon Gujeolpan is the version served
for accompanying drinks, with the compartments filled with dry
ingredients like nuts, beef jerky, dried prawns, etc.
How this dish is eaten
place small amounts of three to four
different ingredients on a pancake, sprinkle with soy sauce or
mustard, roll the pancake around the ingredients.
