Episode 7: The Art of Ssam – Korea’s Leaf-Wrapped Delicacy 🌿🥩

In Today’s Newsletter:

• What is Ssam?: The origins and meaning of this beloved Korean dining tradition. 🥬

•  Ssam Throughout History: How this dish evolved from a royal delicacy to a staple in everyday Korean cuisine. 📜

• Types of Ssam: From lettuce wraps to seaweed wraps, explore the variety of leaves used. 🍃

•  Why Is Perilla Leaf Unique?: The story behind Korea’s exclusive use of perilla leaves in cooking. 🌱

• Ssam in K-Dramas and Global Influence: How Korean BBQ and ssam culture are making waves worldwide. 🌍

KOREAN CULTURE

What is Ssam? 🌿🥩

If you’ve watched Korean dramas, you’ve likely seen characters wrapping grilled meat in leafy greens, adding a spoonful of ssamjang, and devouring it in one bite. This is ssam (쌈), a quintessential Korean way of eating that combines rice, protein, and condiments inside a leafy wrap.

The word "ssam" (쌈) comes from the verb "ssa-da" (싸다), meaning "to wrap." It’s a dining style that enhances flavors by balancing fresh, crunchy greens with savory, smoky meats like samgyeopsal (삼겹살, pork belly).

While commonly associated with K-BBQ, ssam isn't just about meat—rice, soybean paste (된장), spicy sauces, garlic, and kimchi are often included for extra flavor. The key? Everything must fit in one bite!

Ssam Throughout History 📜

Ssam isn't a modern invention—it dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392). The first known record of ssam comes from a 14th-century Chinese poem that describes how Koreans wrapped rice in lettuce leaves.

🌿 Royal Cuisine to Common Dish:

• Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897): Ssam was a delicacy enjoyed in royal banquets.

• Late Joseon Period: As it spread to the common people, the upper class stopped eating it, making it a staple of everyday Korean food.

  

  In the late Joseon period, it was advised: "When wrapping lettuce, one should not touch it directly with their hands. It is considered vulgar to wrap it too large and eat with one’s mouth wide open, exposing everything inside."
  
  Source: Lee Deok-mun, a late Joseon-era Silhak scholar, from Sasojol, a book describing the daily life of scholars.
  Image Source: tvN Alssulshinjap (Trivia Knowledge Show).

Today, ssam is a signature dish in Korean households, BBQ restaurants, and even street food stalls.

Types of Ssam – Beyond Just Lettuce 🍃

Ssam is more than just lettuce wraps! Koreans use a variety of greens and even seaweed for wrapping:

✅ Lettuce (상추, sangchu) – The most common ssam wrap, often paired with grilled pork.
✅ Perilla Leaves (깻잎, kkaennip) – Unique to Korean cuisine, known for their aromatic, slightly minty flavor.
✅ Cabbage (양배추, yangbaechu) – Steamed and used for softer wraps.
✅ Pumpkin Leaves (호박잎, hobak-ip) – Steamed to soften their texture, often served with soybean paste.
✅ Seaweed (미역, miyeok / 다시마, dasima) – A coastal specialty, providing a briny, umami-rich flavor.

📍 Did You Know?
In Gwangju, locals even eat deep-fried food wrapped in lettuce! It’s not the lettuce that’s fried, but the crispy fritters inside that make this an unusual and delicious regional dish.

The Unique Story of Perilla Leaves 🌱

Perilla leaves (깻잎, kkaennip) are exclusively eaten in Korea—even though Japan has a similar-looking leaf called shiso (시소).

🔹 Kkaennip vs. Shiso:

• Kkaennip (Korean perilla leaf) has a milder, nutty flavor.

• Shiso (Japanese perilla) is more pungent and used primarily as a garnish.

In Korea, perilla leaves are stir-fried, pickled, or eaten fresh in ssam. However, other countries rarely use them in cooking, making them uniquely Korean!

Ssam in K-Dramas and Global Influence 📺🌍

Ssam isn't just a Korean dining tradition—it’s a pop culture icon. From K-dramas to YouTube mukbangs, it’s spreading worldwide:

📺 In Korean Dramas:

• Characters often compete to make the biggest ssam or lovingly feed each other. 💕

• A classic "K-drama dad moment"? A father silently handing his child a ssam, a quiet gesture of care.

  

  Source: tvN Drama “Let's Eat 2”

🌎 Korean BBQ and Global Popularity:

• With the rise of K-BBQ chains, ssam culture is gaining global fans.

• Restaurants in the U.S. and Europe now serve ssam pre-wrapped, though Koreans prefer making them fresh at the table.

Your Conversation Starter 💬

“Have you ever tried eating ssam in one bite? Some say that’s the ‘proper’ way, while others take multiple bites. What’s your style?”

Follow up with:
“What’s the most unusual wrap you’ve had? Would you try seaweed or pumpkin leaves instead of lettuce?”

Coming Up Next: Episode 8! 🎬✨

Ever watched a K-drama and heard someone say, “That was such a go-gu-ma (sweet potato) moment!” or “Finally, sa-i-da (soda)!”? These quirky expressions aren’t just random—they reflect emotions, storytelling styles, and even cultural nuances unique to Korea.

In Episode 7, we’ll uncover the origins of these must-know K-drama phrases, why they became so popular, and how they shape the way people talk about drama plots. From mat-dol-i-da (tastes perfect) to hyeom-gwan (love-hate relationship), get ready to add some Korean drama flair to your vocabulary!

Stay tuned—it’s going to be refreshing, just like a sip of sa-i-da! 🍾✨