Dosirak Korean Lunch Box (Large)

Dosirak Korean Lunch Box (Large)

The Japanese occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945, and at that time Dosirak was introduced to the country. Japanese culinary staples like bento or sushi wrapped in seaweed sheets were popular in Korea during this time period, which led to the popularisation of dosirak (gimbap).

While it was typical for moms to pack their children’s meals for school, this practise faded away in the late Sixties and early Seventies. Because school lasted all day, two students required constant supervision. When the meal was finished, they were put on big rusty radiators that functioned as central warmers during class.

In the modern-day, dosirak is a memory of the past, a symbol of love and convenience, and a method to make people feel extra special. As a child, most Koreans remember their moms preparing food to be shared with their friends and family members.

Dosirak is a traditional method of serving room-temperature meals in Korean culture, and it involves aggressively shaking the food for a few minutes before it is served. This mimics the practice of tossing a lunchbox into a backpack and leaving it there until noon. Because all of the components are mixed together, the end product has a nostalgic flavour, comparable to that of fried rice.