Korean barbecue, also known as KBBQ, refers to the Korean method of grilling various meats and vegetables over a gas or charcoal grill built into the table. The term “Korean barbecue” actually comes from the Korean word “gogi gui” or “meat roast.”
The thinly sliced meats like beef bulgogi and kalbi short ribs are the stars of the show, but they aren’t complete without the banchan (side dishes) and accompaniments like rice, lettuce wraps, alcoholic beverages, and more. Knowing what to order with Korean BBQ ensures you get the full experience.
Planning a Korean barbecue dinner party or visiting an authentic Korean grill restaurant? Read on for tips on what to eat with Korean BBQ and how to create the perfect KBBQ spread.
Why Pairings Matter with Korean BBQ
Part of the joy of Korean barbecue is mixing and matching the grilled meats with the banchan, sauces, and other ingredients on the table. With so many flavors and textures going on, you want to aim for balance and avoid taste bud fatigue.
Choosing Korean barbecue accompaniments is also about nutrition. Grilled meat and vegetables provide protein and produce, while the side dishes add vitamins, minerals, and gut-healthy fermented foods like kimchi to the meal.
Finally, what you eat with Korean barbecue can aid digestion. Meat is often easier to digest when enjoyed with veggies and carbohydrates like rice or noodles. Anju, the Korean term for food consumed with alcohol, also helps absorption.
Must-Have Korean BBQ Meat Cuts
Let’s start with the star ingredients – the meats! Common proteins cooked Korean barbecue style include:
Bulgogi
Thin slices of beef ribeye or other tender cut, marinated in a sweet soy sauce mixture with flavors like sesame oil, garlic, ginger, scallions, black pepper, and pear or apple purée. The most popular Korean BBQ meat!
Galbi / Kalbi
These terms refer to pork or beef short ribs, cut across the bones into thin slices. The meat is marinated in a sweeter sauce than bulgogi.
Samgyeopsal
Unmarinated thick-cut pork belly slices. Samgyeopsal is highly fatty, so it crisps up nicely on the grill. Often enjoyed wrapped in lettuce.
Dak Galbi
Spicy marinated chicken diced into bite-sized pieces with cabbage, sweet potatoes, onions, tteok (rice cake), and other veggies.
Moksal / Makgeolli Sal
Thinly sliced unmarinated pork jowl or beef tongue. More savory flavor than typical KBBQ cuts.
Woo Samgyeop
Thinly shaved steak, sometimes lightly marinated. Similar to American skirt or flap steak.
Sundae
Korean blood sausage made by stuffing cow or pig intestines with noodles, vegetables, and pork blood. Grilled or pan-fried.
For the best experience, order an assortment of 3-4 different meat selections so you can enjoy a variety.
Essential Banchan (Side Dishes)
Banchan are the small shared dishes that accompany any Korean barbecue dinner. They provide balance in flavor and nutrition. Here are some banchan essentials:
Kimchi
The national dish of Korea, kimchi is fermented napa cabbage spiced with chili peppers and loads of flavorings. It adds spice and crunch to balance the rich meats.
Kongnamul
Soybean sprouts seasoned with sesame oil, garlic, and other aromatics. Nutty taste and crisp texture.
Gochujang
Spicy fermented red chili paste. Adds a savory, smoky kick and also cuts through meat fattiness.
Ssamjang
Thick spicy bean paste sauce that mixes gochujang with doenjang (soybean paste). Great for dipping or spreads.
Namul
A mix of blanched spinach, soybean sprouts, mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, and cucumber. Light flavor to complement grill.
Jumeokbap
Mini seaweed-rice rolls topped with sesame seeds. Mild taste and sticky texture.
Aim for at least 5-6 types of banchan to provide an array of flavors and nutrients.
Essential Sauces and Condiments
Sauces are crucial for providing moisture and flavor contrast to the grilled items. Keep these on the table:
Gochujang
Can’t get enough of this savory Korean chili paste! Essential for dipping and spreads.
Ssamjang
Another spicy Korean condiment that balances the meat’s richness.
Salt and Black Pepper
Basic seasonings to sprinkle over the meat once cooked.
Sesame Oil
Nutty, aromatic oil that complements grilled items.
Vinegar
Helps cut through heavy flavors. Rice wine vinegar is best.
Chile Bean Paste
Gochutgaru based condiment with spicy kick and umami flavor.
Lettuce Leaves
Butterhead or iceberg lettuce leaves serve as edible wrappers.
Perilla Leaves
Also called sesame leaves. Herbaceous flavor wraps.
Scallions and Garlic
Chopped raw for fresh flavor and breath protection!
Hot Mustard
Spicy mustard sauce helps balance the rich meats.
Stock the table with small dishes of these essential sauces for an interactive dining experience.
What to Drink with Korean BBQ
Now we get to the best part – beverages! Koreans believe anju (food consumed with drinks) is essential, so here are top Korean BBQ drink pairings:
Soju
The number one pairing is soju, Korea’s famed rice liquor. The light, crisp taste cuts through meat grease. Enjoy soju on the rocks or mixed into fruit soju cocktails.
Makgeolli
This milky, lightly carbonated rice wine has a tangy flavor that stands up to meat. Traditional Korean alcohol.
Beer
Korean beer like OB, Hite, and Cass offer easy drinking refreshment with BBQ. Light lagers pair best.
Sake
Japanese rice wine makes a delicious meat pairing. Opt for junmai ginjo sakes.
Tea
Iced tea can satisfy between meats without alcohol. Barley tea and corn tea are common choices.
Soft Drinks
For non-drinkers, carbonated drinks like Coke or Sprite complement the food.
Provide a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to suit all preferences!
Ideal Korean BBQ Desserts
While Korean barbecue is heavy on meat, you can offer lighter desserts to end the meal on a sweet note:
- Bingsu – Flavored shaved ice with sweet red bean topping. Available in many fruit flavors.
- Yakgwa – Traditional Korean flower-shaped cookies made with wheat flour, sesame oil, and honey. Crisp with subtle sweetness.
- Injeolmi – Sweet rice cakes coated in a crushed roasted soybean powder. Chewy-crunchy texture.
- Hodduk – Thick, oblong rice cakes filled with red bean paste and fried. Warm and comforting.
- Persimmon punch sorbet – Icy, slushy punch made of persimmon, ginger, and cinnamon. Palate cleanser.
Fruity dessert beverages like sujeonggwa (cinnamon persimmon punch) are also nice post-BBQ treats.
Tools and Tips for Korean BBQ Success
Having the right tools on hand will ensure your Korean barbecue goes smoothly:
- Grill – Tabletop gas or charcoal grill placed in the center of the table. Choose one with good ventilation.
- Tongs – Long metal tongs for easily flipping meats on the grill. Have several available.
- Scissors – Kitchen shears help slice steaks and other items tableside.
- Lettuce – Provide stacks of whole lettuce leaves for DIY lettuce wraps.
- Rice – Cooked short grain rice accompanies proteins. Choose plain white rice.
- Small Dishes – Have plenty of small plates and bowls for banchan and sauces.
- Napkins – Supply paper napkins for convenient clean-up while eating.
- Grilling Mitts – Protect hands from burns when adjusting grill items.
Some other Korean BBQ tips:
- Grill items in manageable batches so food doesn’t overcook.
- Space out meat portions to allow digestion between courses.
- Wrap pork in lettuce before dipping in sauce to minimize mess.
- Grill mushrooms, onions, garlic cloves, and kimchi for extra flavor.
- Rotate items away from direct heat if flare-ups occur.
- Clean grill thoroughly between dishes to avoid flavor transfer.
Now that you’re armed with everything you need to know about what to eat with Korean barbecue, it’s time to start grilling! Create a memorable KBBQ experience by offering a variety of marinated meats along with classic banchan, sauces, drinks, and desserts. Gathering friends and family around a sizzling tabletop grill makes for a fun, interactive dinner party. Set the table with small dishes and provide plenty of napkins and lettuce leaves. Control portions to pace the meal. Offer soju, beer, and other beverages in moderation to aid digestion. Close out the evening with a light dessert like refreshing bingsu shaved ice. Gamsahabnida (thank you) for reading and give Korean barbecue a try soon! Got a recommendation for a great KBBQ side dish or drink? Let me know in the comments!
Frequently Asked Questions About Korean BBQ Pairings
What is the best thing to eat with Korean BBQ?
The best pairings for Korean BBQ are all the classic banchan side dishes like kimchi, spinach namul, jumeokbap seaweed rice balls, and bean sprout kongnamul. They provide balance with their flavors and textures.
What sauce do you dip Korean BBQ in?
Popular Korean barbecue dipping sauces are ssamjang, gochujang, and saeujeot (fermented shrimp sauce). You can also just use sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Lettuce leaf wraps are great for sauce dipping.
What do you eat Korean BBQ with?
Beyond the banchan sides, Korean barbecue is enjoyed with steamed white rice, iceberg or butter lettuce leaves, cooked garlic cloves, sesame oil, hot mustard, chili bean paste, chopped raw garlic and scallions, and beverages like soju, beer, or sake.
What is Korean BBQ lettuce for?
Crisp lettuce leaves like iceberg or Boston lettuce are served alongside Korean BBQ to use as edible wrappers. Meat and sauce are place in the lettuce and then enjoyed like a taco. This helps reduce messiness.
What drink goes well with Korean BBQ?
Popular Korean barbecue drink pairings are soju, makgeolli, beer, sake, iced tea, corn tea, barley tea, and soft drinks. Soju is the quintessential beverage pairing. Makgeolli rice wine also complements the flavors well.
What rice is best with Korean BBQ?
Plain white short grain rice is traditionally served with Korean barbecue. Short grain has a soft, sticky texture that pairs well with the array of grilled meats and sauces on the table.
Is Korean BBQ healthy?
While the meat has high protein and some cuts provide iron, Korean barbecue is considered a high-calorie, high-fat meal. Balance it by enjoying lettuce wraps, lots of vegetable banchan, and avoiding heavy drinking. Moderation is key!
What is a good dessert after Korean BBQ?
Some popular Korean desserts to enjoy after the heavy meat-centric barbecue meal are bingsu shaved ice, yakgwa cookies, hodduk rice cakes, injeolmi rice cakes, and fruit punch sorbets to cleanse the palate.
What should you not eat with Korean BBQ?
Avoid eating starchy sides like jajangmyeon black bean noodles or japchae sweet potato noodles with Korean BBQ, as they are heavy carb additions. Focus on lighter vegetable banchan and lettuce wraps instead.
The Perfect Korean Barbecue Dinner Menu
Here’s a full overview of what to eat with Korean barbecue, with menu suggestions for planning the ideal dinner:
Meats:
- Marinated Kalbi Beef Short Ribs
- Bulgogi Beef Ribeye
- Spicy Pork Belly
- Chicken Thighs
Banchan:
- Kimchi
- Blanched Veggie Namul
- Kongnamul Bean Sprouts
- Jumeokbap Seaweed Rice Balls
- Cucumber Salad
- Pickled Radish cubes
Sauces:
- Ssamjang
- Gochujang
- Sesame Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Hot Mustard
- Chile Bean Paste
Wraps:
- Butter Lettuce Leaves
- Perilla Leaves
Sides:
- Steamed Short Grain Rice
- Garlic Cloves & Scallions
Drinks:
- Soju
- Korean Beer
- Iced Barley Tea
Dessert:
- Bingsu Shaved Ice
With these essential meats, veggies, sauces, wraps, carbs, and drinks, you’re guaranteed an amazing and balanced Korean BBQ dinner experience! Now get grilling!
I hope this comprehensive guide gives you lots of great ideas on what to order and how to prepare the ultimate Korean barbecue spread. Let me know if you have any other tips for indispensable KBBQ sides and pairings! Enjoy the flavors and interactive fun of Korean grilling. Gochujang – here we come!