This Huge Korean Meal Costs Just a Few Dollars

I took my friend Timmy to Noryangjin, a Seoul neighborhood known for its fish market and cram schools. We stopped by Noryangjin Fish Market, looked around, and were heading toward the subway to get to our next stop when I remembered something else the area is famous for: cupbap.

Cupbap, also called cup rice, is rice topped with ingredients like grilled pork, sausage, eggs, and vegetables, all served in a cup. It became popular in Noryangjin as a cheap, quick meal for students at the neighborhood's cram schools.

As we walked toward Noryangjin Station, we spotted a whole row of stalls selling it. You could get a filling cup for around 4,500 to 6,000 won when we went, depending on the menu.

And, of course, Timmy was interested. The guy never passes up a chance to check out something good to eat, so we went over to see what they had.

There were way more options than I expected. Each stall had its own combinations, and plenty of people were already eating nearby.

We asked one of the stall owners which one was the most popular. He recommended the pork belly cupbap, so we ordered two.

As soon as we placed our order, he got to work. He grilled the pork belly on a hot griddle, then put everything together, layering the toppings over the rice until each cup was packed full.

It didn't take long before our food was ready.

When Timmy got his cup, he looked pretty impressed. Honestly, so was I. The cup was a lot bigger than it looked.

Pork belly, kimchi, vegetables, and rice in one spoonful. I could see why it was so popular.

Timmy, though, wolfed his down in no time.

He actually wanted more.

I guess one cup just wasn't enough for him.