Ssam

Ssam (쌈) is a Korean culinary term for dishes or eating styles in which food is wrapped in another food, most often meat and seasonings in leafy vegetables.

Ssam (쌈) is a Korean culinary term meaning 'wrapped', referring to dishes or eating styles where food is wrapped in another food, most often meat and seasonings in leafy vegetables. It is commonly associated with Korean barbecue and is usually eaten in bite-sized portions to prevent spilling the fillings.

Meaning and usage

Ssam refers to Korean dishes or eating practices involving one food wrapped in another. The term is commonly used for lettuce wraps and similar hand-held combinations.

Typical ingredients

The most common wrapper is a leafy vegetable, especially lettuce or perilla leaves. Fillings often include grilled meat, rice, garlic, vegetables, and condiments such as ssamjang.

Cultural context

Ssam is a familiar part of Korean cuisine and is strongly associated with shared meals and Korean barbecue. Sources also describe broader historical roots for wrapped dishes in Korea.

Related dishes and variations

There are multiple regional and contextual variations of ssam, including versions with different leaves, sauces, and fillings. Some sources note special forms such as bokssam, an auspicious wrap eaten on the first full moon day.