Korean barbecue, also known as KBBQ, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Grilling thinly sliced strips of marinated meat right at your table and wrapping them in lettuce leaves with rice, kimchi, and other banchan (side dishes) results in an interactive and delicious dining experience. Though KBBQ restaurants provide wonderful ambiance, you can also create much of the experience right in your own home with minimal effort by following these tips.
Ingredients to Have on Hand
Recreating the KBBQ experience requires having the right ingredients and condiments within reach. Be sure to have the following ready before starting to cook:
Meats
- Thinly sliced beef short ribs
- Thinly sliced pork belly
- Thinly sliced chicken
- Thinly sliced brisket
- Korean sausage (sundae)
Marinate the meats beforehand for best flavor. Good marinades include soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, pear juice, onion, brown sugar, and gochujang (Korean red chili paste).
Accompaniments
- Lettuce leaves
- Cooked white rice
- Kimchi
- Ssamjang (spicy paste dipping sauce)
- Salt and pepper
- Sesame oil and sesame seeds
- Onions and scallions
- Garlic and chili slices
- Mushrooms
- Cheese slices
Equipment Needed
Having the right equipment will make cooking KBBQ at home much easier:
- Tabletop gas or electric grill
- Tongs
- Scissors for cutting meat
- Small dishes for dipping sauces
- Metal chopsticks
- Lettuce leaf wrappers
- Oven mitts
You’ll also need a well-ventilated room or outdoor space to grill. Having a window or fan is ideal.
Steps for Cooking
Follow these steps for grilling world-class KBBQ at home:
1. Prepare the Meats
Take the sliced meats out of the fridge and let them come closer to room temperature before grilling. This allows them to cook more quickly and evenly.
2. Heat the Grill
Heat your tabletop grill to medium-high. Brush or spray oil on the surface to prevent sticking.
3. Cook the Meats
Use tongs to place the meat slices on the grill. Avoid overcrowding. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until nicely charred. Cook in batches if needed. Meats like brisket may need a bit longer.
4. Prepare the Lettuce Wraps
While meat is cooking, prepare the lettuce leaf wraps. Place a spoonful of rice in the center, top with kimchi and ssamjang.
5. Assemble and Eat
Once the meat is cooked, use scissors to cut into bite-sized pieces. Place them in the lettuce wraps along with side dishes like garlic, onions, mushrooms etc. Wrap everything up and enjoy right away! Dip in sauces like ssamjang too.
6. Repeat!
Continue grilling the remaining meats and enjoying round after round of lettuce wraps. Part of the fun is grilling different items.
Tips and Tricks
- Marinate meats for several hours or overnight for fullest flavor.
- Let meat come closer to room temp before grilling for even cooking.
- Use metal chopsticks to easily flip thin meat slices.
- Cut cooked meats into bite-sized pieces for easy wrapping.
- Grill veggies like onions, mushrooms, and garlic too.
- Play with dipping sauce combinations like gochujang, ponzu, chili oil etc.
- Grill a variety of meats like beef, chicken, pork, sausage.
- Have plenty of lettuce leaf wrappers on hand.
- Use high heat and cook meats quickly to avoid drying out.
- Invite friends over to make it more festive!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best meat for Korean BBQ?
Thinly sliced short rib and brisket are two of the most popular Korean BBQ options. Well-marbled pork belly and chicken thigh are also excellent choices.
What sauce do you use for Korean BBQ?
The classic dipping sauce is ssamjang, a spicy Korean condiment made with gochujang (red chili paste). Other popular sauces are salted sesame oil, ponzu, chili garlic sauce, and plain old salt & pepper.
How do you keep the meat juicy?
Slice the meat very thinly across the grain. Marinate for hours beforehand. Do not overcook, just cook 1-2 mins per side over very high heat. Let meat come closer to room temp before grilling.
What can I use if I don’t have a grill?
You can use a grill pan or regular pan on the stove. You won’t get the same smoky char but it will still taste delicious. Use very high heat to mimic grilling.
What do you wrap Korean BBQ in?
Lettuce leaf wraps are traditional. Some other options are perilla leaves, ssam lettuce, cabbage leaves, or roasted seaweed sheets.
Conclusion
Korean BBQ at home is fun, delicious, and easier than you may think. Have an array of thinly sliced meats ready to go along with lettuce wraps, rice, kimchi, dipping sauces, and other sides on hand. Cook quickly over high heat on a tabletop grill. Let friends wrap up their own combinations in lettuce leaves for an interactive experience. The flavors and aromas will transport you right to your favorite KBBQ joint. Now you can enjoy sizzling Korean barbecue anytime without leaving the house.