Who Invented Ssam

And we do mean ancient: ssam was originally eaten in the Goryeo era (roughly 918–1392) by women who had been taken as maids and ladies of the court to Mongol’s Yuan Dynasty.

What leaves do Koreans wrap their food in?

In Korean cooking, perilla leaves are typically used in a pickled side dish, in stir fry, in soup and as a wrap. It is part of the mint family and has a strong aroma. It is similar to Japanese shiso, but it is known to have different flavors and shapes.

Why do Koreans wrap food in lettuce?

Ssam (쌈), meaning “wrapped”, refers to a dish in Korean cuisine in which, usually, leafy vegetables are used to wrap a piece of meat such as pork or other filling. Ssam is usually bite-sized to prevent spilling out the fillings. …