Korean barbecue is a popular dining and social experience in South Korea as cooking and sharing food with friends, co-workers, or family members is at the heart of the local culture. Since this dining style has been featured in top-rated K-dramas such as Descendants of the Sun, Itaewon Class, and Crash Landing on You, it’s no wonder why many people across the globe has adapted it, and millions of people are now attempting to make Korean barbeque at home.
According to former Master Chef contestant Adriana Guillen, Korean barbeque epitomizes Korean food’s popularity since it leads to experiential dining. She adds that since Korean cuisine is becoming more popular in the west, “the American palate craves it,” so it’s important to have an authentic Korean barbeque to satisfy those cravings. If you want to bond with your loved ones over delicious food, here’s a guide to make the most authentic Korean barbeque at home.
Get a Tabletop Grill
Unlike western barbeque, Korean barbeque doesn’t need to be done outdoors. You can grill food in your living room or dining room, and all you need is a good tabletop grill or a Korean barbeque grill. The latter comes with a circular grill plate that has a non-stick surface, adjustable heat settings, and a drip tray to catch grease. Look for one with a wide surface and a removable plate for easy cleaning.
If you’re concerned about smoke or particle emissions, don’t fret because using a Korean barbeque grill indoors is quite safe since it’s smokeless. Moreover, it’s powered by electricity so you don’t need to use coals or other flammable objects to cook your food. However, there are other ways that your BBQ can harm your health, so make sure to clean the grill plate with soap and water before and after using to avoid food contamination. You should also give the grill enough time to preheat before grilling to stay safe while you barbeque.
Select the Right Cuts of Meat
The star of a Korean barbeque is the meat, and you’ll need several kinds if you want an authentic dining experience. You’ll need thin slices of pork belly (samgyeopsal), some boneless beef short ribs (galbi), sirloin beef strips (bulgogi), boneless chicken (dak galbi), and sirloin or ribeye steak (deungsim). The samgyeopsal and deungsim can be seasoned with a little salt before grilling, while the galbi should be marinated in soy sauce and crushed garlic cloves. Meanwhile, the bulgogi and dak galbi should be marinated in soy sauce mixed with a bit of onion, garlic, sugar, and sesame oil. Since these cuts of meat are fairly thin, you’ll find that they’ll cook in no time at all, so keep a close eye on them while they’re on the grill.
Add Side Dishes, Condiments, and Drinks
No Korean barbeque is complete without ban chan or side dishes, so you’ll need some kimchi, japchae, marinated quail eggs, and pickled radish, at the very least. You’ll also need some lettuce and perilla leaves, plain white rice, garlic cloves, and condiments like fermented soybean paste (ssamjang) and chili paste (gochujang). As for drinks, you can serve some ice cold beer, makgeoli (rice wine) or plain soju. These alcoholic drinks go very well with grilled meat, but remember to have some non-alcoholic options too such as cola or Korean cider.
How to Eat K-BBQ Like a Local
Once you’ve grilled the meat, it’s time to eat Korean barbeque in the traditional way. This involves making a ssam, or a wrap. First, get a lettuce or perilla leaf and put some grilled meat in the center of it. Add a spoonful of rice, a smear of ssamjang or gochujang, and a garlic clove for an extra kick of flavor. Fold the sides of the leaf inwards to make a wrap, then eat the whole thing in one bite. Don’t forget to make a ssam and feed it to your loved one– it’s how Koreans show their care and affection when they’re eating barbeque with others.
Korean barbeque is a exciting way to cook and share food with the people who matter to you most. Try these tips to have an authentic Korean barbeque at home. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you’ll have with your family and friends!
No one and I mean no one is making korean bbq at home when it’s so cheap to just go out and eat. Plus less chance of messing it up.
People are out here doing it at home, in the back yard and yes it’s doable!