How to Eat Korean BBQ Like a Pro

Korean BBQ is a must-do culinary experience for lovers of good food and conviviality. It's not just about cooking food, but about truly immersing yourself in the culture. Here's a comprehensive guide to how to fully enjoy Korean barbecue, whether at a restaurant or at home.

Korean Barbecue Basics: How Does It Work?

Korean barbecue is characterized by cooking directly at the table, usually on a built-in grill. You cook your own meat, vegetables, and other ingredients. The main cooking methods include:

• The charcoal grill , ideal for smoky flavors.
• Electric hotplates , more common in modern restaurants.
• Korean stone pans for even and tasty cooking.

The most popular cuts of meat include:

• Samgyeopsal (pork belly),
• Galbi (marinated beef ribs),
• Bulgogi (thinly sliced ​​marinated beef).

The ritual: how to prepare and eat?

• Step 1: Cooking the meat
  Place your pieces on the grill and let them cook for a few minutes on each side. Use scissors to cut smaller pieces if necessary.
• Step 2: Serve with banchan
  Banchan are small side dishes, such as:
• • Kimchi,
  • Seasoned spinach,
  • Fermented beans,
  • Pickles vary.
• Step 3: Prepare your wrap
  Take a leaf of lettuce or perilla , add a piece of meat, a spoonful of ssamjang (hot sauce) and a side dish (garlic, chili, rice). Fold and enjoy in one bite!

Traditional drinks and accompaniments

To enhance the experience:

• Serve soju or makgeolli (rice wine).
• Serve with white rice and a light soup like doenjang jjigae .

Tips for an optimal experience

• Do not overload the grill. Leave space to avoid burning the meat.
• Share the cooking. Make it a collective activity for more conviviality.
• Taste everything! Banchan bring a diversity of flavors.

Korean barbecue is a culinary and social adventure. Whether at a restaurant or at home, take the time to enjoy every step. Bon appétit, or "잘 먹겠습니다" (jal meokgesseumnida) as the Koreans say!