Bomdong Bibimbap trending in Korea

The Bomdong bibimbap craze is fueled by a resurfaced clip from a 2008 Korean variety show, "2 Days & 1 Night," featuring host Kang Ho-dong enjoying the dish. The clip has racked up over 5 million views. Bomdong, also called spring cabbage, is harvested early spring and primarily cultivated in South Jeolla Province. It's known for its sweet taste and crunchy texture when harvested between January and March. The dish is simple: bomdong seasoned with red pepper flakes, fish sauce, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil, mixed with rice. Some recipes suggest adding oyster mushrooms, Cheongyang peppers, and seaweed flakes. A fried egg is a common topping. This trend marks a shift from the recent "Dubai chewy cookie" craze, with Koreans now favoring healthy, seasonal greens. The price of spring cabbage has jumped nearly 30% in the past month due to demand. Bomdong is low in calories (23 per 100g) and rich in vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C and calcium. It boasts six times more beta-carotene than regular napa cabbage. Convenience store chain GS25 recently launched a Bomdong bibimbap lunchbox to capitalize on the trend. Bibimbap recipes were the most searched globally in 2023. Traditional medicine touts bomdong's liver-restoring benefits. However, experts warn against excessive sodium and sugar from seasonings.