''Siru'' () is an
earthenware
Earthenware is glazed or unglazed Vitrification#Ceramics, nonvitreous pottery that has normally been fired below . Basic earthenware, often called terracotta, absorbs liquids such as water. However, earthenware can be made impervious to liquids ...
steamer used to steam grain or grain flour dishes such as ''
tteok
''Tteok'' () is a general term for Korean rice cakes. They are made with steamed flour of various grains, especially glutinous rice, glutinous and non-glutinous Japonica rice, rice. Steamed flour can also be pounded, shaped, or pan-fried to make ...
'' (rice cakes), most notably ''
siru-tteok
''Siru-tteok'' () is a type of Korean rice cake (''tteok'') traditionally made by steaming rice or glutinous rice flour in a '' siru'' ().
The popularity of ''siru-tteok'' grew as the usage of ''siru'' spread across the Korean peninsula. As it ...
''.
The ''siru'' is an earthenware steaming vessel that dates back to the late bronze age of the Korean northern peninsula and the use of the utensil spread to the entire peninsula by the time of the
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...
in which the popularity of ''siru-tteok'' grew.
The ''siru'' is also used during
shamanic
Shamanism is a spiritual practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with the spirit world through Altered state of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spiri ...
rituals and is even offered on the tables for ''daegamsin'' (대감신; 大監神, state official God). The ''siru'' is not an everyday utensil but is one for preparing and serving the sacrificial dishes during rituals.
A ''siru'' consists of a handle, a body, and a bottom with holes, so that when placed above a fire, steam can easily reach the contents inside. The size of the bottom and the diameter of the ''siru'' is generally the same, and the size of the ''siru'' each have significance: large ''siru'' are for worshipping ''seongju'' (), the deity that protects the household, medium ''siru'' are for worshipping ''turju'' (터주; ─主), the deity that oversees the peace of the household, and small ''siru'' are used to steam white rice.
Besides earthenware, ''siru'' can be made with porcelain or bronze; earthenware is commonly used in the central region while ceramic ''siru'' is common in the south.
Gallery
Si-lu (side2).jpg, A Bronze Age
The Bronze Age () was a historical period characterised principally by the use of bronze tools and the development of complex urban societies, as well as the adoption of writing in some areas. The Bronze Age is the middle principal period of ...
''siru''
See also
*
List of cooking vessels
This is a list of cooking vessels. A cooking vessel is a type of Cookware and bakeware, cookware or bakeware designed for cooking, baking, roasting, boiling or steaming. Cooking vessels are manufactured using materials such as steel, cast iron, ...
*
Bamboo steamer
Bamboo steamers, called ''zhēnglóng'' () in Chinese, are a type of food steamer made of bamboo. They are used commonly in Chinese cuisine, especially dim sum, and usually come in two or more layers. Bamboo steamers have also spread to other Eas ...
* ''
Siru-tteok
''Siru-tteok'' () is a type of Korean rice cake (''tteok'') traditionally made by steaming rice or glutinous rice flour in a '' siru'' ().
The popularity of ''siru-tteok'' grew as the usage of ''siru'' spread across the Korean peninsula. As it ...
''
References
Korean cuisine
Korean food preparation utensils
Cooking appliances
Cooking vessels
{{Korea-cuisine-stub