Difference between rice and sesame oil in Korean

·참기름

rice

rice

쌀 means rice, especially the dry grains before cooking. People use this word when they buy rice, wash it, or talk about having rice at home. It is a very common food word in Korean because rice is an important everyday meal.

How to say rice
sesame oil

참기름sesame oil

Sesame oil (참기름) is a fragrant oil made from sesame seeds. People use it in Korean food to add a rich, nutty flavor. You often see it in dishes like bibimbap, namul, and kimbap.

How to say sesame oil

The difference

쌀 is a grain that you cook and eat as a main food. 참기름 is not a main food by itself; you use a small amount to add flavor.