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)
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex has established a new process for turning fly ash into raw materials to be widely used in
December 13, 2025
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex has established a new process for turning fly ash into raw materials to be widely used in
The Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in the suburbs of the capital city of Pyongyang in November. It is an outcome of the
December 13, 2025
The Kangdong County Hospital was inaugurated in the suburbs of the capital city of Pyongyang in November. It is an outcome of the
One of Korean children’s winter folk games, top spinning is played on ice or on the ground. In winter children play the game
December 13, 2025
One of Korean children’s winter folk games, top spinning is played on ice or on the ground. In winter children play the game
In the era of great change when the grand plan of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rural construction is being translated into
December 13, 2025
In the era of great change when the grand plan of the Workers’ Party of Korea for rural construction is being translated into
Ri Ho Son is an associate professor and PhD in electrical engineering at Pyongyang University of Transport. She became the first
December 12, 2025
Ri Ho Son is an associate professor and PhD in electrical engineering at Pyongyang University of Transport. She became the first
On December 12, 1948, the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung visited the shooting range in the then Phyongchon plain in Pyongyang
December 12, 2025
On December 12, 1948, the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung visited the shooting range in the then Phyongchon plain in Pyongyang
The agricultural workers of the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District, Nampho Municipality and the Konha Farm in Manpho City, Jagang
December 12, 2025
The agricultural workers of the Usan Cotton Farm in Hanggu District, Nampho Municipality and the Konha Farm in Manpho City, Jagang
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
December 11, 2025
The provincial building materials exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Sci-Tech Complex on December 9. Presented to the
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
December 11, 2025
Proud entities visually showing the rapid development of the socialist countryside flourishing day by day are being built one
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
December 11, 2025
Associate Professor Choe Ryon, PhD, teaches at the Faculty of Korean Linguistics of Kim Il Sung University. She won the WIPO
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
December 11, 2025
The secretary office of the premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on December 10 informed the
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chol, minister of National
December 11, 2025
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, No Kwang Chol, minister of National
Pak Jong Chon and Jo Chun Ryong, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jae Ryong, department
December 11, 2025
Pak Jong Chon and Jo Chun Ryong, secretaries of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Jae Ryong, department
Mt Myohyang located in the northwestern part of the DPRK is one of the celebrated mountains. It is famous for its superb scenery.
December 10, 2025
Mt Myohyang located in the northwestern part of the DPRK is one of the celebrated mountains. It is famous for its superb scenery.
Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the perfect
December 10, 2025
Agricultural workers moved with pleasure into modern houses newly built in farm villages of Jagang Province as part of the perfect
Rope-skipping is one of the Korean children's folk games that is played by skipping over a moving or fixed rope in different ways
December 10, 2025
Rope-skipping is one of the Korean children's folk games that is played by skipping over a moving or fixed rope in different ways
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of condolence to Sergei
December 10, 2025
Choe Son Hui, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of condolence to Sergei
The royal jelly goods produced by the Chilgol Songdo Factory are gaining popularity among the customers. Lately the research team
December 10, 2025
The royal jelly goods produced by the Chilgol Songdo Factory are gaining popularity among the customers. Lately the research team
In December last year, when the inauguration ceremony of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in South Hamgyong Province was held, the re
December 09, 2025
In December last year, when the inauguration ceremony of the Sinpho City Offshore Farm in South Hamgyong Province was held, the re
Agricultural workers of the Taedong Farm in Tongchang County and the Namha Farm in Pyoktong County, North Phyongan Province, have
December 09, 2025
Agricultural workers of the Taedong Farm in Tongchang County and the Namha Farm in Pyoktong County, North Phyongan Province, have
More Articles
