Bossam (Boiled Pork Wraps)

In Korean bossam, tender slices of boiled pork belly are wrapped at the table with rice, kimchi, sauce and crisp leaves, making each bite fresh, savoury and hands-on. The pork is simmered gently with ginger and garlic so the meat stays juicy while the fat turns soft and silky, then sliced neatly for serving. Lettuce brings crunch, kimchi adds tang and heat, and a quick gochujang, soy and sesame sauce gives the wraps depth. It is a generous sharing-style dinner with plenty of room for diners to adjust the garlic, spring onion and seasoning to their taste.
Cuisine style Korean home-style sharing dish
Spice level Medium
Cooking style Crowd-friendly • Make-ahead friendly
Time commitment Slow-cooked

Why this recipe works

  • Gentle simmering: Cooking the pork belly at a steady simmer renders the fat slowly while keeping the meat tender and sliceable.
  • Balanced textures: Silky pork, crisp lettuce, warm rice and crunchy kimchi create the contrast that makes bossam so satisfying.
  • Big flavour with simple components: Gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, kimchi, garlic and spring onion bring savoury depth, heat and freshness without a complicated sauce.

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Timing notes

  • Rest before slicing: Let the pork rest after simmering so the juices settle and the slices hold together cleanly.
  • Serve while warm: Bossam is best assembled at the table while the pork is still warm and the lettuce remains crisp.

Adjust the heat

  • For less heat: Use a lighter hand with the gochujang sauce and choose a milder kimchi.
  • For more heat: Add extra gochujang to the sauce or serve with a sharper, more fermented kimchi.
  • Keep it balanced: The rice and lettuce soften the heat, while raw garlic and spring onion add a clean, sharp finish.

Make-ahead tips

  • Cook the pork ahead: The pork can be simmered in advance, then stored with a little cooking liquid to help keep it moist.
  • Keep the wraps fresh: Store pork, rice, lettuce, kimchi and sauce separately so the leaves stay crisp and the rice does not absorb excess moisture.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the pork with a little cooking liquid, covered, until piping hot throughout rather than heating it aggressively.

Authenticity notes

  • Boiled pork focus: Bossam is built around gently boiled pork served in wraps, rather than grilled or fried meat.
  • Table assembly: Serving the pork, rice, leaves, kimchi and sauce separately lets everyone build each wrap to taste.
  • Quick ssamjang-style sauce: This version uses gochujang, soy sauce and sesame oil for a simple ssamjang-style accompaniment.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Pork and rice

To serve

Instructions
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  1. Rinse the rice in a colander under cold water until the water runs mostly clear, then drain well. Tip into a saucepan, add 450 ml water and a pinch of the fine sea salt, then bring to the boil. Cover, turn the heat to low and cook for 12 minutes, then take off the heat and leave covered for 10 minutes.
  2. Put the pork belly in a stockpot and cover with cold water by about 3 cm. Add 1 tsp of the fine sea salt, the ginger (thinly sliced) and 4 garlic cloves (lightly crushed). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
  3. Simmer the pork gently for 60 to 75 minutes, turning once or twice, until a knife slides in easily but the meat still holds its shape. Skim any foam as needed to keep the broth clear. Lift the pork out and rest it on a board for 15 minutes so it slices cleanly.
  4. While the pork rests, make a quick ssamjang-style sauce by stirring the gochujang with the soy sauce and toasted sesame oil until glossy. Finely slice the spring onions. Thinly slice the remaining 4 garlic cloves for serving.
  5. Separate the lettuce leaves and rinse, then shake dry. Slice the pork belly across the grain into 5 to 7 mm slices. Set everything on the table: rice, kimchi, lettuce, sauce, garlic and spring onion.
  6. To eat, spread a little sauce on a lettuce leaf, add a spoonful of rice, a slice of pork and some kimchi. Finish with a few slices of garlic and a pinch of spring onion, then wrap and eat straight away. Season the pork lightly with the remaining fine sea salt if needed.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the pork at a gentle simmer rather than a hard boil so the fat stays silky and the meat slices neatly.
  • If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, use pasteurised kimchi if available and ensure the pork is cooked until piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace green leaf lettuce with romaine lettuce for sturdier wraps.
  • Replace soy sauce with light soy sauce for a slightly lighter, saltier finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Store sliced pork belly in an airtight container with a splash of its cooking liquid to keep it moist. Reheat gently in a covered saucepan with a little liquid until piping hot, or steam until hot throughout. Freeze pork only (not lettuce, rice, or kimchi) for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Bossam (Boiled Pork Wraps)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 2h (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Korean
  • Allergens:
    Sesame Soybeans
Freezer friendly

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