Ssam (Lettuce Wraps): The Smart, Interactive Way New Yorkers Love to Eat

Ssam, also known as Korean-style lettuce wraps, is a hands-on dining experience that combines fresh vegetables, marinated meats, and customizable flavors. In New York, where diners crave both interactive and social meals, ssam has become a favorite for its balance of taste, health, and engagement.

What Is Ssam?

Ssam (pronounced “ssahm”) is a traditional Korean dish where grilled meat, rice, sauces, and banchan (side dishes)are wrapped in leafy vegetables like lettuce, perilla, or cabbage.

• Name meaning: “wrap” in Korean

• Common fillings: beef, pork, chicken, or tofu

• Served with: garlic, chili paste, kimchi, and other condiments

This simple concept transforms every bite into a customizable experience, giving diners control over flavor, spice, and portion.

How Ssam Makes Dining Interactive

Unlike plated dishes, ssam encourages diners to assemble their own bites, making the meal playful and engaging:

• Pick your leaf: crisp lettuce, perilla, or cabbage

• Layer grilled meat and rice

• Add sauces, garlic, kimchi, or other toppings

• Fold and enjoy

This interactive process lets diners personalize each wrap and enjoy a tactile, hands-on meal—a dining style that resonates with New Yorkers’ preference for experiential food.

Balancing Health and Flavor

Ssam offers a natural way to balance indulgence with nutrition:

• Leafy greens provide a fresh, low-calorie base

• Marinated meats deliver protein and umami flavor

• Rice and sauces give comfort and satisfaction

• Pickled banchan adds acidity and complexity

The result is a bite that’s both satisfying and well-rounded, perfect for diners who want flavor without heaviness.

Ssam as a Social Dining Experience

Korean BBQ and ssam are built for sharing and connection:

• Diners pass plates, assemble wraps together, and swap flavor combinations

• The table becomes interactive and conversational

• Eating is participatory, not passive

This communal style aligns perfectly with New Yorkers, who often dine with friends or colleagues and appreciate meals that encourage engagement and conversation.

Why New Yorkers Keep Wrapping

Ssam works because it checks multiple modern dining priorities:

• Customizable: each wrap is tailored to taste

• Interactive: diners engage with the food

• Balanced: fresh greens meet rich, flavorful meats

• Social: fosters conversation and shared enjoyment

It’s a smart, hands-on approach to eating that combines flavor, nutrition, and experience in every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ssam

What is the best meat for ssam?
Beef short ribs, pork belly, and chicken are most common, though tofu is a vegetarian-friendly option.

How do you eat ssam?
Pick a leaf, add meat, rice, and condiments, fold, and eat in one bite.

Why is ssam popular in New York?
Its interactive, social, and customizable nature fits the city’s fast-paced, experience-focused dining culture.

Can ssam be healthy?
Yes! Leafy greens, lean meats, and controlled portions make it both flavorful and balanced.