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What is Korean BBQ?

Photo: Brothers Korean BBQ

Table of Contents

Introduction

While Barbecue generally refers to outdoor cooking of food (meat, fish, vegetables etc) over high heat, Korean BBQ locally known as gogi-gui is a popular method of grilling the meat right at the dinner table.

Korean BBQ restaurants have charcoal, gas or portable grills built into the tables. Various marinated meats like bulgogi and kalbi are grilled on the table itself and eaten along with various side dishes called banchan, like kimchi.

There are several way in which these meat dishes can be prepared, they can be marinated and non marinated as well. Bulgogi is the most representative form of Korean BBQ. It is usually prepared by marinating thin slices of beef. Galbi happens to be the second most popular dish of Korean BBQ, it consists of short ribs of beef, pork or chicken marinated in a sweet and savory sauce.

These meat dishes are served raw before the customers and are later grilled on the table.

Photo: Jeong Yuk Jeom

Aspects of Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ is rather straight forward and consists of meats, side dishes, rice, and even soups. These four pillars of Korean BBQ expand endlessly to allow for thousands of different styles/variations around the world. Koreatown, Los Angeles alone has over 100 Korean BBQ restaurants.

Photo: Wi Korean BBQ

Meats for Korean BBQ

The foremost thing to keep in mind while ordering at a Korean BBQ restaurant is the type of meat that you want to order, let the server know whether you want pork, beef or chicken. Another important thing is to decide the way you want the meat to be served, whether you want a chicken barbecue or pork ribs or beef tongue etc (the list is endless).

Photo: Castle BBQ

Side Dishes for Korean BBQ

The most amazing thing about Korean restaurants is the variety of side dishes that they offer alongside a meal, these side dishes are known as banchan. Small plates of banchan which are light and not too greasy will help to boost your appetite.

 At Korean BBQ restaurants banchan will always be served before the main course meal, these are meant to be eaten during the meal and not just eaten as appetizers.

Some common side dishes offered at Korean BBQ restaurants

  • GIM (DRIED SEAWEED)

Gim is one of the popular side dishes offered at Korean restaurants, it is a thin paper like dried laver or seaweed which is usually eaten with rice. It is rich in calcium, vitamins and carotenes, packed with mineral salts and iron the dish goes well with rice and grilled meat.

 

  • Sweet and sour carrot salad

Tossed in both sweet and sour flavors, the dish is a popular Korean side dish. It is usually made spicy with chili flakes and red pepper. Various other seasonings like garlic and saewoojeot are also added. The final product is a crunchy side dish that will keep you asking for more.

  • Hobak bokkeum  (Stir fried zucchini)

Diced carefully and seasoned with shrimp fish sauce this dish goes very well with meat dishes such as bulgogi and galbi. Sometimes hobak bokkeum is also topped with sesame seeds.

  • Kimchi ( Spiced fermented cabbage)

Kimchi is a staple Korean cuisine served as a side dish with almost every Korean main course meal. It typically includes napa cabbage and Korean radishes that are generally seasoned with ginger, garlic and chili powder. This satisfyingly spiced and sour cabbage makes a great complement with all the grilled meats.

Photo: Jeong Yuk Jeom

How to Grill Korean BBQ

At most restaurants the server will ask you want to grill the meat yourself but since they are experts at this, the task of grilling must be left of them.

The servers know exactly when to flip the meat and when the meat is completely cooked, this would bring out the best flavors of Korean BBQ.

Some tips if you are grilling it yourself

  1. Never flip the meat before you see droplets of water pooling on the meat.
  2. Don’t wait for too long, or else the meat will become too dry and tough to chew.

So now that you have a better understandi9ng of Korean BBQ head out to a nice Korean BBQ restaurant and enjoy a fantastic bbq meal with a variety of side dishes and soju.

Photo: Eight Korean BBQ

Drinks

Soju also known as Korean rice wine is a popular drink amongst Koreans as they love to compliment their food with alcohol. Soju is a distilled liquor similar to vodka, which has 20% alcohol. According to a  popular Korean custom you should never pour yourself a drink of soju,  instead an older member of the group would hand you a shot glass , which should be accepted with both hands to show respect towards the senior

Another traditional Korean alcoholic drink is Makgeolli. Makgeolli is a Korean alcoholic beverage that is milky, off-white, and lightly sparkling rice wine that is slightly viscous with a sweet, tangy, and bitter taste. The sediments in Makgeolli give it a cloudy appearance.

Comments

  • Stephanie
    September 9, 2021 at 11:40 PM

    Was always unsure about Korean BBQ and how to eat it, this is so helpful!

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