Korean barbecue, also known as KBBQ, is a popular method of grilling meat over a gas or charcoal grill built right into the dining table. The term refers to the Korean method of roasting thin slices of marinated meat and vegetables quickly over high heat.

The dish has become popular worldwide, but many people don’t realize how easy it is to enjoy authentic Korean BBQ at home. With a few tips on preparing the meat, sides, and condiments, plus some grill recommendations, you can create a Korean barbecue feast in your own backyard.

Choosing and Preparing the Meat for Korean BBQ

The star of any Korean barbecue is the meat selection. Korean BBQ traditionally utilizes thin slices of marinated beef, pork, chicken or seafood grilled quickly over high heat. Here are some tips on selecting and preparing meats for Korean BBQ:

Opt for Thin Strips

Korean BBQ uses very thin slices of meat, usually 1⁄4 inch thick or less. This allows the pieces to cook quickly and absorb maximum flavor. When preparing meat at home, slice against the grain into very thin, even strips. Popular cuts include:

Beef: Ribeye, brisket, flank, skirt steak, short ribs
Pork: Pork belly, pork shoulder , pork jowl
Chicken: Boneless skinless thighs or breasts
Seafood: Shrimp, squid, scallops, fish

Marinate for Maximum Flavor

A good Korean BBQ marinade should:

Tenderize the meat
Add flavor with savory and sweet ingredients
Help meat caramelize and char on the grill

Some popular marinade ingredients include:

Soy sauce for saltiness
Sugar or honey for sweetness
Sesame oil for nutty aroma
Garlic and ginger for spike
Fruit juices like pear, apple or pineapple for tenderizing
Sesame seeds for crunch

Let meat marinate for at least 1-3 hours in the fridge. Longer is even better, like overnight.

Partially Freeze for Easier Slicing

Very thin KBBQ meat slices can be tricky to cut neatly at home. Try partially freezing the meat for 30 minutes before slicing – this firms it up making it easier to cut razor thin slices.

Sample Marinade Recipes

Some classic Korean BBQ marinade recipes include:

Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef):

1⁄4 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 Asian pear, peeled and grated

Dak Bulgogi (Spicy Chicken):

1⁄4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp minced ginger

Gochujang Pork:

1⁄4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
2 tbsp rice wine
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp minced garlic

Essential Banchan (Side Dishes)

Banchan are the small side dishes that accompany Korean BBQ. They provide flavor and texture contrasts to the grilled meat. Some popular banchan to serve include:

Kimchi

This fermented cabbage is the most well known Korean side dish. It adds spice and cuts through the richness of meat. Serve store-bought or a homemade batch.

Lettuce Wraps

Use large crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg to wrap meat and banchan for a refreshing contrast.

Spicy Pickled Radish

Quick pickled daikon radish banchan has crunchy texture and balanced heat. Toss shredded radish with vinegar, chili, garlic and sugar.

Steamed Egg

Fluffy steamed egg custard banchan adds creaminess. Season with sesame oil and top with green onion.

Seasoned Spinach

Blanched and seasoned spinach banchan offers color and freshness. Toss spinach with sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes.

Bean Sprout Salad

Crunchy, fresh bean sprout salad banchan is made by tossing sprouts with sesame oil, vinegar, chili, and garlic.

White Rice

Steamed short grain white rice accompanies the meal. Let guests scoop into lettuce wraps or bowls.

Essential BBQ Condiments

Korean BBQ would not be complete without punchy dipping sauces and condiments to dress the meat. Provide small dishes of:

Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)

This savory, slightly sweet chili paste adds heat and flavor to meats.

Ssamjang

A spicy thicker sauce that’s a mix of gochujang and doenjang (soybean paste).

Salt and Pepper

Coarse sea salt and cracked black pepper to sprinkle.

Sesame Oil and Vinegar

Drizzle these directly on the meat with a few dashes.

Minced Raw Garlic and Onions

Let guests add these pungent garnishes to meat or wraps.

Sesame Seeds

Pan toast white sesame seeds and sprinkle over meat and rice.

With the right banchan and sauces, you can customize the flavor profile with each bite.

Equipment Needed for Korean BBQ

To host an authentic Korean barbecue party at home, you’ll need the right equipment:

Grill

Invest in a tabletop Korean BBQ grill that allows you to cook meat directly on the table. Look for ones with good ventilation. If you don’t want to buy a specialty grill, use a cast iron grill pan or an outdoor grill.

Metal Chopsticks

Use long metal chopsticks to easily flip and grab thin meat strips on the grill.

Scissors

Keep kitchen scissors handy for snipping meat into smaller pieces.

Lettuce Leaves

Provide stacks of large lettuce leaves like romaine or iceberg to use as meat wraps.

Small Dishes

Serve banchan and sauces in lots of small side dishes.

Rice and Soup Bowls

Provide small rice bowls for rice and soup bowls for soon doo boo (soft tofu stew) or other soups.

Tongs

Use tongs for turning meat and grilling vegetables.

Oil Spray

A vegetable oil spray helps prevent meat from sticking.

With the right equipment, you can create an interactive DIY Korean BBQ experience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Korean BBQ at Home

Here is a simple step-by-step guide to hosting Korean barbecue at your home:

1. Set the Table

Heat up the grill at least 15 minutes prior to cooking. Arrange all ingredients, sauces, banchan, lettuce, rice, and grilling tools at the table family-style so everyone can grab food easily.

2. Grill the Meat

Lightly oil the grill. Cook meat in batches, laying strips carefully across the grill. Cook just 1-2 minutes per side until lightly charred. Transfer cooked meat to a platter.

3. Let Guests Assemble Wraps

Allow guests to grab lettuce leaves and place grilled meat, banchan, rice, and sauces inside. Wrap it up like a burrito and enjoy immediately before contents get soggy.

4. Snip Meat

If strips get too charred or hard to eat, use scissors to snip them into smaller pieces right on the table.

5. Replenish Food

Keep cooking meat batches and refilling banchan as needed so there is always ready to eat food at the table.

6. Adjust Heat

Control the grill heat during cooking. Lower heat if meat is charring too quickly. Raise heat if meat is taking too long to brown.

7. Enjoy Leftovers

Refrigerate and enjoy any extras for days after. Reheat meat in a skillet or enjoy cold lettuce wraps.

With these simple tips, you can enjoy sizzling, flavorful Korean BBQ without leaving home. Gather friends and family around the grill for an interactive, hands-on dining experience. The beauty of DIY Korean barbecue is that everyone can customize flavors to their taste and cook meat to their preferred doneness. Let the aroma of meat on the grill build anticipation for the feast to come.

FAQs About Korean BBQ

What is the difference between Korean BBQ and Japanese BBQ?

While both cuisines involve grilling meat at the table, there are some key differences:

Korean BBQ emphasizes quick, high-heat cooking while Japanese BBQ uses lower heat for slower grilling.
The marinades also differ – Korean BBQ uses sweeter, spicier marinades while Japanese BBQ has simpler salt-based marinades.
Korean BBQ includes many small banchan side dishes while Japanese BBQ does not focus as much on banchan.
The cuts of meat differ. Korean BBQ uses thinly sliced beef, pork or chicken while Japanese BBQ favors thicker cuts.

What is the red spicy sauce served with Korean BBQ?

The classic red and savory-sweet sauce served with Korean BBQ is called gochujang. This Korean chili paste is made from fermented soybeans, sticky rice, and chili peppers. It adds heat and savory depth to grilled meats.

What is the best meat for Korean BBQ?

Thinly sliced ribeye beef and pork belly are considered classic Korean BBQ meats. Marinated chicken is also popular. For seafood BBQ, shrimp, squid and scallops work well. Try a variety for contrasting flavors and textures.

How do you keep meat from sticking on a Korean BBQ grill?

Use very thin meat slices
Chill meat before grilling
Allow grill to preheat fully
Oil the grill with vegetable spray
Don’t move meat until it releases naturally

What do you use to cut meat thinly for Korean BBQ?

Partially freezing meat for 30 minutes firms it up for easier slicing. Use a very sharp knife to cut against the grain into 1⁄4 inch or thinner slices. Ask the butcher to slice meats thinly. An electric slicer can also yield perfect thin slices.

How do you eat Korean BBQ?

Traditionally, Korean BBQ is wrapped in a lettuce leaf with rice, kimchi and ssamjang sauce. Fold it up like a taco or burrito and eat immediately before it gets soggy. You can also eat it on its own, or place grilled meat over rice in a bowl.

Can you cook Korean BBQ on a regular grill?

Absolutely! A regular outdoor gas or charcoal grill works great. Use a cast iron grill pan on the stove if cooking indoors. Just cook in batches and transfer meat to a platter as it finishes.

What is a good dipping sauce for Korean BBQ?

The traditional Korean BBQ dipping sauce is ssamjang, a mix of spicy gochujang chili paste and pungent doenjang soybean paste. You can also provide sesame oil and vinegar for drizzling.

Tips for Hosting a Memorable Korean BBQ Party

Here are some additional tips to help you host the perfect Korean barbecue party:

Set the mood with music: Put on some lively K-pop playlists to energize guests while grilling.
Offer soju: Provide the iconic Korean spirit to sip on while grilling. Offer in shot form or mixed into fruit or beer cocktails.
Make it interactive: Allow guests to grill their own proteins at the table for an interactive, hands-on vibe.
Provide aprons: Wearing bibs or aprons can help keep clothes clean.
Have extra platters: Keep empty platters nearby to transfer finished meat from grill to table.
Refill often: Check in with guests frequently to refill meats, banchan sides, drinks and anything that’s running low.
End with dessert: Finish off the meal with something sweet like Korean honey butter almond cake.

The beauty of the Korean BBQ experience is gathering loved ones together, cooking meat yourselves right at the table, and savoring every morsel. Delight guests with an unexpected DIY barbecue, then sit back and relax while the savory aromas of Korean-style grilling fill the air.

Conclusion

Korean barbecue offers an interactive, communal dining experience that is meant to be lingered over and savored. The thinly sliced, quick-cooking meats and assortment of complementary banchan side dishes provide a range of flavors and textures in each bite. With practice preparing the components like marinated meats, homemade kimchi, dipping sauces and the use of proper Korean barbecue equipment, you can host an amazing Korean feast in your own backyard. Gather friends and family around the grill for a lively celebration fueled by meat, rice and the aroma of charcoal and spices. Korean BBQ presents the chance to slow down, cook mindfully and connect over phenomenal food. Let the sizzle lure you in and your love for this cuisine keep you coming back for more. Gochujang, blazing grill and good company – what could be better? Korean BBQ truly feeds the belly, the soul and the spirit all at once.

Korean BBQ: How To Cook It At Home