bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

The Korea Times

Bibimbap, a rice bowl made with a variety of greens and drizzled with perilla oil, is a representative Korean health food.
Among its many variations, sanchae bibimbap – or wild vegetable bibimbap – is especially gaining popularity for its perceived nutritional benefits and earthy flavours.
In addition to common ingredients such as siraegi (dried radish greens), sweet potato stems, green chilli peppers, dried zucchini slices, dried gourd and radish strips, wild vegetable bibimbap includes foraged mountain greens like mushrooms, bracken, royal fern, deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolate), bellflower root and gondre (wild thistle).
These ingredients are often seasoned and served as side dishes or mixed into the rice bowl. But how healthy is this dish?

Experts say it can help regulate blood sugar, support bone health and manage weight – as long as you know how to eat it properly.
Siraegi contain three to four times more dietary fibre than fresh radish leaves, offering improved nutritional value.
This fibre stays longer in the digestive system, helping with blood sugar control and promoting satiety, which supports weight management.
Radish leaves also contain more vitamin C, fibre, calcium, potassium and folate than the radish root, and are considered more beneficial overall.
Calcium content, for example, is roughly 10 times higher in radish leaves compared to in the roots. They are also rich in compounds like indoles and isothiocyanates, which have anticancer properties, according to the National Institute of Crop Science in Korea.
Dietary fibre helps reduce blood cholesterol, improve digestive health and lower the risk of colon cancer. Combined with vitamin D, calcium also helps strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis.
Korean zucchini, or aehobak, is high in vitamin A, which supports vision, skin and mucous membrane health, and epithelial cell development.
A deficiency can lead to dry, rough skin and increase the risk of dry eye syndrome. Children are more vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency than adults, as they store less of it in the liver and other tissues.
While zucchini is generally safe to consume in large amounts, caution is advised with vitamin A supplements. Because the vitamin is fat-soluble, excessive intake can lead to side effects such as headaches, nausea, dry skin, hair loss and diarrhoea.

Mushrooms are high in protein, making them helpful for muscle development and boosting immunity. They also contain ample dietary fibre, which contributes to blood sugar and cholesterol control.
Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, have double the vitamin B1 and B2 than most vegetables and are rich in ergosterol, a precursor to vitamin D that helps reduce blood cholesterol levels.
A recommended daily intake of dried shiitake mushrooms is 10 grams, which equates to only three calories, making them a weight-loss-friendly food when eaten on their own.
Mushrooms also provide essential amino acids that must be obtained through diet. Lentinan, a compound found in shiitake mushrooms, has been developed into a pharmaceutical agent for enhancing immunity and inhibiting cancer cell growth.
To maximise health benefits, bibimbap should be made with low-glycaemic-index multigrain rice, which raises blood sugar more slowly and helps manage or prevent diabetes.
However, multigrain rice is still a carbohydrate and overeating can lead to increased blood sugar and weight gain. In wild vegetable bibimbap, the spotlight should be on the vegetables. Adding too much rice can undermine the dish’s health benefits.
Since vegetables are rich in dietary fibre that aids in blood sugar regulation, keeping the rice portion small is crucial. For people with diabetes or prediabetes, a moderate amount of multigrain rice is recommended.
If using white rice, reducing the amount and focusing on vegetable toppings can still support blood sugar control.
Read the full story at The Korea Times


Culled bear meat sparks Japan restaurant feeding frenzy: ‘juicy, delicious’ and sold out

2025 was a tough year for Hong Kong’s bar industry, so how are new concepts carving a path forward?

Your Hong Kong weekend food guide for December 26-28

7 popular 2025 stories celebrating Chinese culture, from seal carving to waffles and tofu

Food and Drinks

Health benefits of wild vegetable bibimbap, Korean rice bowl full of fibre and vitamins

Ingredients in sanchae bibimbap – or wild vegetable bibimbap – can include siraegi (dried radish greens), sweet potato stems, green chilli peppers, dried zucchini slices, dried gourd, radish strips, mushrooms, bracken, royal fern, deodeok (Codonopsis lanceolate), bellflower root and gondre (wild thistle). 

Bibimbap is often seen as a representative Korean health food. Photo: Getty Images

A bowl of sea squirt bibimbap. Photo: Matthew Crawford

What is ‘fibermaxxing’? 5 health benefits of the new nutrition trend

Experts explain how “fibermaxxing” can transform your health with benefits like weight loss, cancer prevention, and improved gut and heart health. Photo: Shutterstock

Holistic nutritionist Denise Tam says fibre is good for gut health. Photo: Denise Tam

Joanne Slavin, a dietitian and professor, suggests starting slowly if you are not used to consuming a lot of fibre. Photo: University of Minnesota

Tam says that there is a strong connection between the gut and the brain – the healthier the gut, the happier the brain. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Many studies support the link between a higher fibre intake and weight management and weight loss. Photo: Shutterstock

Fibre can help lower cholesterol and support blood vessel health, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Photo: Shutterstock

Where to find the best Korean food souvenirs? Chefs reveal their top places in Seoul

Seoul, South Korea-31 March 2025; Interior of the Gyeongdong Market, one of the largest herbal medicine and ginseng markets of South Korea with vendors and customers. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Gyeongdong Market in Seoul is one of the largest herbal medicine and ginseng markets in South Korea and a favourite of chefs. Photo: Shutterstock

Chef Joseph Lidgerwood (left) of Michelin-star Seoul restaurant Evett takes guests on a tour of Gyeongdong Market. Photo: Charmaine Mok

Customers browse stalls at Gyeongdong Market. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Dried grains for sale at Gyeongdong Market. Photo: Shutterstock

Namdaemun Market, in Seoul’s Jung district, is one of Micha Richter’s favourites. Photo: Shutterstock 

What’s the real cost of ‘rice is life’ for Filipinos’ health?

A worker prepares bags of rice to be sold at a government mini-market in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, in May. Photo: EPA-EFE

A family in the Philippines eats together, with rice as part of their meal. Photo: Ariel Javellana/IRRI

Workers move sacks of rice for transport from a National Food Authority warehouse in Metro Manila in February. The Philippines’ rice imports hit a record 4.7 million tonnes last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

6 of Singapore’s best hidden speakeasy bars that will take you back in time – and how to find them

Bartenders at Chandu create drinks with a narrative that are loosely based on history. Photo: The Robertson House by the Crest Collection

A bartender mixes a drink at Chandu, one of our picks of six of the best hidden speakeasy bars in Singapore. Photo: The Robertson House by the Crest Collection

The Mizuwari whisky highball at Live Twice uses Hokkaido soft water rather than soda to accentuate the malt notes of the Japanese Nikka whiskies. Photo: Instagram/@livetwicesg

Chandu is inspired by Singapore’s colonial era, when opium dens flourished in the city state. Photo: The Robertson House by The Crest Collection

Chandu’s Mata Hari cocktail is named after a Dutch dancer and courtesan. Photo: Facebook/Chandu

Oriental Elixir, located in a Peranakan rowhouse, is a dimly lit watering hole for nonconformist cocktails. Photo: Philipp Meier

Oriental Elixir’s Malabar Tamarind cocktail combines the sour ingredient with roasted cherry tomato gin, dry vermouth. Photo: Instagram/@oriental.elixir

Junior the Pocket Bar is a small, 25-seater speakeasy that tasks itself with changing the menu completely every few months. Photo: Philipp Meier

A cocktail titled Sesame from the Korea-inspired menu at Junior the Pocket Bar. Photo: Junior the Pocket Bar

Jade Harbour is part of The Bund menu currently offered at Junior the Pocket Bar, inspired by the Shanghai district. Credit: Junior the Pocket Bar

For its Korean Joseon dynasty-inspired menu, the interiors of Junior the Pocket Bar featured dragons. Photo: Philipp Meier

Roxy is a hip-hop-inspired speakeasy hidden inside the Miss Fitz restaurant in Singapore’s Marina Bay. Photo: Facebook/Roxy

The drinks at Roxy are based on classics, but are given their own spin. Photo: Facebook/Roxy

Last Word has finessed tipples that were invented in the 1920s. Photo: Philipp Meier

Last Word’s eponymous cocktail is a classic, blending gin, maraschino liqueur, green chartreuse and lime. Photo: Instagram/@lastwordsg

Lifestyle

Food & Drink

Sanchae bibimbap is getting more popular for its perceived nutritional benefits and earthy flavours, but be careful how much rice you have


Sanchae bibimbap is getting more popular for its perceived nutritional benefits and earthy flavours, but be careful how much rice you have.


Korea Times

South Korea

Healthy eating

Health benefits of wild vegetable bibimbap, Korean rice bowl full of fibre and vitamins

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sanchae bibimbap is getting more popular for its perceived nutritional benefits and earthy flavours, but be careful how much rice you have

Sanchae bibimbap is getting more popular for its perceived nutritional benefits and earthy flavours, but be careful how much rice you have