Korean barbecue, a staple of Korean dining culture, is renowned for its mouth-watering flavors and interactive experience. At its core, Korean barbecue involves grilling meats – typically beef, chicken, or pork – alongside vegetables on either a charcoal or gas grill, often built into the table itself. As we delve into this culinary delight, we’ll explore 25 delectable Korean barbecue recipes that will leave your taste buds craving more. Let’s begin our gastronomic journey!
Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice Cakes)
In the world of Korean cuisine, there’s a beloved dish that often takes center stage as a side offering in barbecue settings – tteokbokki. This delectable treat is essentially a slow-cooked delight made from small garae-tteok rice cakes, which are typically long and cylindrical with a pure white hue. These bite-sized morsels are the perfect accompaniment to a hearty Korean barbecue feast.
Samgyupsal Gui (Grilled Pork Belly)
Korean cuisine’s beloved pork belly, also known as samgyupsal, has gained widespread popularity worldwide. When it comes to traditional Korean barbecue, pork belly plays a significant role in many recipes. In fact, thinly sliced samgyupsal is typically marinated and grilled to perfection, making it a staple dish at any Korean-style barbeque gathering.
Salmon Bulgogi
For those who prefer a fish-based accompaniment to their Korean barbecue experience, salmon bulgogi presents an appealing alternative. Similar in preparation to other forms of bulgogi, this dish involves thinly slicing the chosen meat – in this case, salmon – marinating it, and then grilling it to perfection. The resulting combination of sweet and savory flavors is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Kimchi (Spicy Pickled Cabbage)
In the realm of Korean barbecue, two dishes stand out for their widespread popularity: tteokbokki and kimchi. While tteokbokki’s sweet and chewy appeal has captured hearts, kimchi’s tangy and savory essence has earned a special place in many Koreans’ hearts as well. This fermented or salted vegetable-based side dish is an integral part of Korean cuisine, with variations using Korean radish or napa cabbage being particularly favored.
Among these, spicy pickled cabbage is an especially beloved take on kimchi.
Korean Barbecue Chicken Legs
Satisfy your cravings for chicken legs with a twist – Korean-style barbecue! The combination of savory flavors in these Korean barbecue chicken legs is sure to delight. A marinade made with ingredients like ginger, honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil adds an extra layer of depth to the dish. Simply marinate the chicken legs, then throw them on the grill for a smoky, finger-licking finish.
Korean BBQ Chicken Wings
Indulge in the flavors of Korea with these mouthwatering crispy barbecue chicken wings. If you’re a fan of wings over thighs, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. The secret lies in the marinade, where sweet, spicy, and savory gochujang sauce takes center stage, infusing every bite with an irresistible combination of flavors. Simply marinate the wings in this aromatic blend before grilling them to perfection, just like traditional Korean barbecue.
Treat yourself and get ready to enjoy a culinary experience that will leave you wanting more.
Dak-Kkochi (Spicy Chicken Skewers)
Elevate your chicken game with dak-kkochi, Korean-style spicy skewers. This street food staple is a far cry from your average boneless chicken dish. The secret lies in the marinade, which combines fiery ingredients like gochu-garu and gochujang to create an addictive, spicy glaze. To achieve this, you’ll need to mix these bold spices with liquid ingredients like rice or corn syrup, apple or white vinegar, vegetable, grape seed, or corn oil, and water.
The result is a flavor profile that’s equal parts sweet, savory, and scorching hot.
Maeun-Dakbonggui (Spicy BBQ Chicken)
While similar in concept to dak-kkochi, maeun-dakbonggui takes a different approach by abandoning the skewer method altogether. What’s more, when it comes to the type of chicken used, you’re spoiled for choice. Both breast and thigh meat can be employed with great success. The key takeaway here is that proper preparation of the chicken is crucial – specifically, taking the time to carefully score and slice it so that it will absorb the marinade evenly.
Korean Grilled Mackerel
For those who prefer fish over meat when it comes to Korean barbecue, grilled mackerel is an excellent alternative. This popular dish in Korean home cooking is often served for breakfast, but its versatility also makes it a great option for any meal of the day. With just the right amount of marinade and some time on the grill, your mackerel will be ready to enjoy at any hour – whether you’re in the mood for a morning start, a quick lunch break, or an evening dinner.
Gochujang Pork Shoulder Steaks
The sweet and spicy fusion of flavors is back again as gochujang sauce takes center stage in this Korean barbecue dish, elevating pork shoulder steaks to new heights. The marinade, a masterful blend of gochujang, sake, puréed garlic, oil, and mirin, is quickly whirred together in a blender, awaiting its turn to tantalize taste buds.
Korean Style Baked Meatballs
Looking to mix things up at your next Korean barbecue gathering? Why not try whipping up some Korean baked meatballs instead of the usual grilled fare? This unique twist on traditional meatballs combines the bold flavors of gochujang with soy sauce, plum or apricot jam, garlic, spring onions, and ginger for a truly unforgettable taste experience. Head to the recipe page to get started!
Beef Bulgogi Burgers
Drawing inspiration from the bold flavors of Korean beef bulgogi, these burgers boast tender beef that’s been precision-marinated in a harmonious blend of aromatic ingredients before being expertly grilled to perfection. The marinade itself is a masterclass in balance, combining the nutty essence of sesame oil with the subtle heat of red pepper flakes, the earthy warmth of ginger and garlic, the savory depth of soy sauce, and the rich sweetness of brown sugar.
Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)
Korean barbecue beef, also known as bulgogi, is a beloved Korean dish that showcases the rich flavors of the country’s cuisine. Thin slices of sirloin, rib-eye, or tenderloin beef are marinated in a mixture of sweet and savory elements, creating a complex flavor profile that’s both tender and tantalizing. When cooked over an open flame, these marinated beef slices develop a caramelized crust, adding texture to the dish’s already impressive array of flavors.
Dak Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Chicken)
Dak bulgogi, a Korean-inspired dish, offers a twist on traditional bulgogi by substituting thinly sliced and marinated chicken for the typical beef. This variation allows for greater flexibility in terms of meat selection, as you can use either thighs or breasts, depending on your personal preference.
LA Galbi (LA Style Grilled Beef Short Ribs)
In Korean, Galbi refers to a popular dish featuring beef short ribs. Among various styles, LA Galbi stands out for its unique preparation method. The cut is particularly noteworthy, with the meat sliced into long, thin strips – about a quarter of an inch thick – that are still attached to three pieces of bone. This distinctive presentation allows for a harmonious balance of flavorful meat and crispy bone.
Galbi (Korean BBQ Beef Short Ribs)
While LA galbi is similar to its Korean counterpart, regular galbi stands out with a unique preparation method. The thinly sliced beef short ribs are still used, but the cut is more complex. Instead of being divided solely across the bone, the meat is now cut both ways, resulting in thicker pieces with only one piece of bone each. This distinct approach sets regular galbi apart from its LA counterpart.
Tteokgalbi (Minced, Grilled, And Seasoned Beef Ribs)
When discussing beef ribs, tteokgalbi offers an intriguing twist on the classic galbi recipe. This variation involves pounding and mincing the meat on the bone before marinating it in a complex sauce that balances sweet, salty, and savory flavors. The result is a tender and softer texture than traditional galbi, making it a must-try for beef lovers.
Cheese Tteokgalbi (Minced, Grilled, And Seasoned Beef Ribs With Cheese)
This innovative twist on traditional tteokgalbi, also known as Korean-style beef short ribs, adds a creamy surprise to the classic dish. By incorporating cheese into the mix, the tender meat and rich flavors are taken to the next level, creating an exciting fusion of textures and tastes.
Maekjeok (Doenjang Marinated Pork)
Indulge in the simplicity and depth of flavor offered by this delectable dish, where tender pork takes center stage after being marinated in doenjang, Korea’s renowned fermented soybean paste. This savory and salty ingredient beautifully balances its bold character with a subtle nuance, elevating the overall taste experience without overpowering the palate.
Korean BBQ Portobello Mushrooms
For vegetarians and vegans, Korean barbecue doesn’t have to mean missing out on the flavors they love. A great alternative is to use portobello mushrooms as a substitute for traditional meats. To do this, start by creating a marinade inspired by those used in classic bulgogi recipes. This can include a combination of ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar.
Next, coat your portobello mushrooms with the marinade and let them sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. Finally, grill the mushrooms until they’re tender and slightly charred, just like their meaty counterparts. With a little creativity, it’s easy to enjoy all the bold flavors of Korean barbecue without compromising your dietary preferences.
Gochujang Saewu Gui (Spicy Shrimp)
For those who crave the ocean’s bounty, gochujang saewu presents an exciting opportunity to indulge in flavorful seafood delights! The dish itself features succulent shrimp that have been grilled to perfection and marinated in a rich, savory, spicy, and peppery gochujang sauce, expertly blending a medley of bold flavors.
Korean BBQ Grilled Shrimp With Honey And Garlic
While the gochujang saewu gui may have stolen the show with its bold, spicy flavors, this seafood barbecue dish offers a tantalizing alternative that’s just as mouthwatering, but with a decidedly sweeter and more aromatic twist. Instead of relying on the fiery heat of gochujang sauce, this recipe employs a harmonious blend of honey and garlic to create a rich, velvety marinade that brings out the natural sweetness in the seafood.
Perfect for those who prefer a milder flavor profile or want to offer a respite from the spicy kick of the gochujang saewu gui, this dish is sure to delight with its succulent, grilled goodness.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.