What is Korean BBQ? Guide to Meats & Banchan

Different from traditional backyard BBQs of flipping burgers with some beers, Korean barbeque is cooked on a small charcoal grill in a restaurant at your table and focuses on smaller and higher quality cuts of meat. Korean barbeque enables the customer to grill the meat directly at the table and enjoy a unique cooking and dining experience.

You’ll probably find most major cities near you boasting a Korean barbeque restaurant or two. Learn more about Korean barbecue so you can try it at home with groceries from Instacart.

What is Korean BBQ?

Korean barbeque is a unique and social eating experience that involves friends and family gathering and cooking their own meat over a small open charcoal or gas grill, which is either inlaid into the dining table or portable. Locally known as Gogi-Gui, Korean barbeque refers to the Korean method of grilling meat. 

In a restaurant, the meat is ordered for the group and served raw, then left to cook on the tabletop grill. Your server will flip the meat when ready, or you can ask to cook it yourselves. The meats used in Korean barbeque are mostly beef and pork, and there are many different ways to prepare these meat dishes, including marinating prior to grilling.

Korean barbeque dishes come served with various side dishes called banchan. These small, light side dishes will be served before the main course, although they are meant to be eaten alongside the meal and are said to boost appetite and aid digestion. Banchan will differ from restaurant to restaurant, but common banchan dishes include:

• Pickled radishes
• Kimchi
• Kelp noodle salad
• Gochujang mayo
• Spicy Korean coleslaw
• Ssamjang (dipping sauce)
• Seaweed salad

The grilled meat and side dishes can be further complemented by a shot of Soju—Korean rice wine. 

What meat is used for Korean BBQ?

Whilst large cuts of meat such as roast chicken, rack of ribs, or beef brisket are the main focus of many barbeque styles, Korean barbeque centers around skewers or strips of grilled beef and pork.

Meat is king in Korean barbeque, and this cuisine highly values the flavor of beef. Prime cuts need little to no seasoning before hitting the grill, whilst tougher cuts are marinated before grilling. Galbi (beef short ribs) and Bulgogi (thinly sliced sirloin, ribeye, or brisket) are the most representative form of the meat used in Korean barbeque. In the western world, Bulgogi, meaning “fire meat,” is the most popular type of Korean barbeque you’ll come across. 

Korean BBQ meat is marinated in specific flavors before you cook it at the table:

• The Bulgogi meat is marinated with soy sauce, sugar, ginger, scallions, sesame oil, garlic, and pepper.
• Galbi marinade is made up of soy sauce, water, garlic, mirin, brown sugar, and onions. Pears are also sometimes used in the marinade to help tenderize the meat.

How to order and eat Korean BBQ at a restaurant

Learning how to eat and order Korean barbeque can be confusing. In the interests of doing Korean barbeque right and in getting the most of your meat-filled meal, consider these tips:

• Bring lots of friends. As large-format meals can be expensive, having a larger party will bring the price down per head. And you’ll get to order and try more foods.
• The air will be meat-infused smoky, which will taint your clothing and hair with a barbeque smell—plan accordingly.
• Try all the banchan—these interesting side dishes will be brought out at the beginning of the meal, but sample them all the way through the meal. And make the most of the free refills. 
• Let the servers flip the meat—you can do it too, but they are the experts and know the perfect cook time.
• Start with trying non-marinated meats such as brisket or pork belly, then progress onto richer marinated meats. 
• Make a Ssam—wrap a lettuce leaf around a piece of meat and some banchan and enjoy.
• Finish off with shots of flavored Soju.

What are the foods in Samgyeopsal?

Samgyeopsal, which is fresh grilled pork belly, is highly popular in Korea. You don’t need to marinate the meat, making it easy to prepare. It’s also cheap and simple to cook at home.  It is made of thicker strips of unsalted pork belly, ideally with fatty areas, so that it cooks tenderly. 

It is grilled without marinating or seasoning. Using the fat from the pork belly, slices of green chili peppers, mushrooms, garlic, onions, and kimchi are often grilled alongside the pork belly.

Samgyeopsal is eaten by dipping pieces of the cooked meat in sesame oil sauce, then wrapping them in lettuce or perilla leaves with a dollop of ssamjang and sliced scallions. 

You can easily find sliced pork belly in the meat section of your grocery store. 

Where to buy Korean BBQ meat

If you’re looking to recreate a Korean barbeque feast at home, head to the meat counter of your grocery store to stock up. Beef tenderloin is a great match for making Bulgogi, beef short ribs work well for Galbi, and sliced pork belly is perfect for making Samgyeopsal.

Beyond the sizzle of Korean BBQ

Korean barbeque has such great social quality, with everyone getting involved in cooking the meal. Hosting a Korean barbeque at home is the perfect way to embrace the art of cooking together and sharing food amongst friends and family.

Order your meat online for your next Korean barbeque experience by shopping for your groceries on Instacart. Get everything you need to plan and host your own Korean barbeque at home. Order your favorite meats and BBQ supplies online and enjoy contactless, same-day delivery. 

Grab it now on Instacart:

CJ Sagae Ssamjang Haechandle Seasoned Soybean Paste (35.27 oz)

CJ Sagae Ssamjang Haechandle Seasoned Soybean Paste (35.27 oz)

CJ Sagae Ssamjang Haechandle Seasoned Soybean Paste (35.27 oz)

Beef Brisket (per lb)

Beef Brisket (per lb)

Choice Beef Bulgogi (Korean Bbq) (each)

Choice Beef Bulgogi (Korean Bbq) (each)

Choice Beef Bulgogi (Korean Bbq) (each)

Wang Marinade, Galbi (16.93 oz)

Wang Marinade, Galbi (16.93 oz)

Wang Marinade, Galbi (16.93 oz)

SAM-KYB-S Thin Sliced Pork Rib Belly (1 lb)

Beef Tenderloin (each)

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