How to make SSAM at a Korean BBQ

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learn to ssam

Like a boss.

SSAM means wrap as in wrapping up food. Think of it like tapas, except you assemble it yourself and combine many flavours together, and you have to hold it closed the whole time. A high-maintenance, self-serve style tapas.

  1. Take a lettuce leaf (or whatever thin, flexible edible green you got). This is your first layer.

  2. Add a little less rice than the amount you would scoop unto a spoon.

  3. Get a piece of meat off the grill.

  4. Add a little or big dollop of SSAMJANG- this adds seasoning and flavour to grilled meat.

  5. Add any BANCHAN (maybe a slice of kimchi?) you feel like.

  6. Bring all the corners up together in a neat bundle- put entire thing in your mouth.

COMMON BEGINNER ISSUES

PROBLEM #1: THE SSAM IS TOO BIG!

You can take a bite in the middle. Be aware that you do risk components falling out- rice is especially prone to this- that can make it visually awkward. Hopefully everyone will be too busy eating to notice. Try to make your SSAM smaller next time, or just be loud and proud with your crocodile mouth.

PROBLEM #2: I DON’T WANT TO PUT SO MUCH STUFF IN MY SSAM.

Hey, Korean BBQ is all about customization. You can go big and add everything on the table or you can just do meats in greens with SSAMJANG. Don’t want greens? Just eat the grilled meat with dip. Don’t like SSAMJANG? Just go for a meat only extravaganza (very popular for keto-type dieters). Korean BBQ caters to everyone!

PROBLEM #3: IT’S SO MESSY, WHAT IF SSAMJANG FALLS OUT OF MY SSAM AND LANDS ON MY CLOTHES?

Hey, it can happen. The culprit to this problem arises from attempting to make the SSAM too big to handle. Unless you have a Julia Roberts’ type of mouth, I would not attempt. But take some wet tissues and a clothes-cleaning pen if it makes you more comfortable. Maybe don’t wear your nicest clothes- this is actually for Korean BBQ itself. Everything will need to get laundered once you enter an indoor meat smoke-filled environment.

Lesson? Go to Korean BBQ with close friends and family.

Not ideal for business meetings or first dates. You have been warned.

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