The Korean people created a peculiar custom of preparing a table through the protracted course of history and have carried it forward.
Pansanggi is a set of tableware which are formally used in preparing a dinner table. It was also called Pansang .
The vessels were normally made of brass, porcelain or wood according to the living standard of a family, but the ruling class made them with silver.
It features that all the vessels, except a large bowl, have their own lids.
In preparing pansanggi there are 3 chop , 5 chop , 7 chop , 9 chop , etc., and chop means a vessel. Three kinds of foods on a table are called 3- chop pansang , five kinds of foods, 5- chop pansang , seven kinds of foods, 7- chop pansang , and nine kinds of foods, 9- chop pansang .
The Korean ancestors chose the number of chop mainly with odd numbers such as 3, 5, 7, 9, because they regarded the numbers as “good and fortunate” ones.
Soup, kimchi and spiced soy sauce were not included in the number of side dishes as they belonged to the number of non-staple foods. A dry side dish and pickled vegetable and fish dishes were regarded as 1 chop though they are put on a table, and a stew and a steamed dish were not included in the number of chop .
More small vessels of spiced soy sauce were put on a table when side dishes were added.
Preparation of pansang had already been spread in the period of Koryo (918-1392).
The custom, in which the foods are arranged with a certain formality so as to whet appetite and take meals comfortably, shows the developed cultural level of the Korean people and their peculiar dinner service practices.
More From Naenara (En)
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
November 15, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Sangri and Upho stockbreeding farms in Phungso County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK, moved into new
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
November 15, 2025
Early on October 1, 2020, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the rehabilitation site in flood-stricken Kimhwa County,
The bell from the Yujom Temple is one of the Korean historical relics, which show the talent of the Korean ancestors. The bell had
November 15, 2025
The bell from the Yujom Temple is one of the Korean historical relics, which show the talent of the Korean ancestors. The bell had
Completed in October 2002, the 150-odd-km-long Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway is a gravitational waterway system for irrigating th
November 15, 2025
Completed in October 2002, the 150-odd-km-long Kaechon-Lake Thaesong Waterway is a gravitational waterway system for irrigating th
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister
November 15, 2025
Pak Thae Song, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, met Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
November 15, 2025
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, was presented with the credentials of
On November 13 Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Kumsusan Palace of
November 15, 2025
On November 13 Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, visited the Kumsusan Palace of
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
November 14, 2025
Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, released the following press statement titled “G7
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
November 14, 2025
Machine factories across the country have finished the production of equipment for the regional-industry factories to be built
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
November 14, 2025
The Myohyangsan Pine Tree, named so as it grows in Mt Myohyang, is found in Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan County, Jagang Province.The tree
Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK. The new village is the precious
November 14, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Simpho Farm in Unhung County, Ryanggang Province, the DPRK. The new village is the precious
There took place a story-telling meeting “Mother’s Happiness” of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the
November 14, 2025
There took place a story-telling meeting “Mother’s Happiness” of exemplary women agricultural workers and members of the
A symposium in the field of history was held at the Academy of Social Sciences in the DPRK on November 12 to denounce the
November 14, 2025
A symposium in the field of history was held at the Academy of Social Sciences in the DPRK on November 12 to denounce the
A bowling alley has been newly built in the Kuksa Peak area of Nampho Municipality. This adds more to the status of the area as a
November 14, 2025
A bowling alley has been newly built in the Kuksa Peak area of Nampho Municipality. This adds more to the status of the area as a
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign
November 14, 2025
Talks between Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea hosted a reception on the evening of November 12 in honour of
November 14, 2025
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea hosted a reception on the evening of November 12 in honour of
An agreement on cooperation in the field of information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Digital
November 14, 2025
An agreement on cooperation in the field of information between the DPRK Information Committee and the Ministry of Digital
An exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” took place at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House in the capital city of
November 13, 2025
An exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” took place at the Three-Revolution Exhibition House in the capital city of
There was a peculiar stand in the light industrial goods exhibition held in October. The stand was featured by a wide range of
November 13, 2025
There was a peculiar stand in the light industrial goods exhibition held in October. The stand was featured by a wide range of
The agricultural workers of the Tongnyon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, moved
November 13, 2025
The agricultural workers of the Tongnyon, Naeyang and Yangchun farms in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, the DPRK, moved
More Articles