The Korean craze is real, and we’re far from over it. Whether it’s a Koreanovela marathon, the latest BTS album or a Korean BBQ feast, we just can’t stop binging! And while the pandemic may have taken away our weekly trips to our favorite eat-all-you-can KBBQ joint, that’s not stopping us from taking the Korean feast to our homes.
In this article, we’re sharing with you some easy tips & tricks for preparing your own Korean BBQ night at home, as well as delicious Korean marinades for you to pair with your Premier Food Choice meats. Read up and start grilling!
What you need for your Korean BBQ night:
A grill, a stove or an induction cooker – whatever floats your boat. As long as it does the job, then you’re good to go.
Marinated meat, the star of the night. As the age-old saying goes, your KBBQ feast is only as good as the meat you prepare. Get good quality, tender meat from Premier Food Choice for you to enjoy that authentic Korean restaurant experience.
Rice, because we can’t have barbeque without rice.
Lettuce, or other leafy vegetables like steamed cabbage or perilla, to wrap your meat and rice in.
Dipping sauces like Ssamjang, Sesame Oil and Wasabi Soy Sauce. These will complement your marinated meats perfectly and are a MUST for any KBBQ night.
Soju, the icing on top of the ultimate Korean BBQ night. What sounds better than grilling and chatting to your heart’s content, Soju in hand and family by your side? Bottom’s up!
Last but not the least, order some Korean side dishes from your local Korean grocery. Our personal favorites that we find to be widely available are kimchi, seasoned spinach, spicy radish and stir-fried fish cakes. If you’re feeling extra, make them yourself with the help of easy online recipes.
Marinated Meats for your Korean BBQ night:
Bulgogi (Beef Sukiyaki), one of the most flavorful Korean dishes. This is a sweet and savory marinade mixed in ultra-thin slices of beef. We recommend using our Premier Beef Sukiyaki for thin cuts of tender beef to get that authentic Korean experience.
Ingredients for the marinade: Soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, sesame oil and garlic.
Mix them all together and adjust based on your preferred balance of saltiness and sweetness.
Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly), a hugely popular dish in the street stalls of Korea, especially among the younger generation during nights out with friends. This is made of thin slices of Pork Belly, usually around ¼ to ½ inches in thickness. Although you may opt for thicker cuts if you prefer, the thinner cuts will easily achieve that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Check out our Premier Pork Belly for this dish!
Compared to Bulgogi, seasoning your Samgyeopsal-Gui is a lot simpler. Just rub with salt and pepper before grilling, because the real flavor comes from the well-balanced combination of that tender meat and your Korean Sesame Oil dipping sauce.
LA Galbi (Korean Beef Short Ribs), another Korean favorite both in the local scene and around the world. The key to this dish is our Premier Beef Short Ribs and a tasty marinade. To further tenderize your short ribs, the quickest tip we have is to mix in grated onions and alcohol into your marinade. Afterwards, your meat should ideally marinate overnight or for at least 6 hours if you’re pressed for time.
Ingredients for your marinade: Fruit (pineapple, pear or kiwi), onions, garlic and ginger
Mix them all together and adjust based on your preferred balance of saltiness and sweetness.
Dak Bulgogi (Korean Chicken BBQ), the same sweet and savory Bulgogi flavor but chicken style. This is a delicious choice for those of you trying to lessen or completely cut out red meat. Although any chicken part will do, we like using our Premier Chicken Breast Fillet which is easy to cook and is tender in texture.
Steps to prepare your Korean BBQ night:
1. Marinate your meat, preferably the night before to give them a generous amount of time to really seep in all that flavor.
2. Cook your rice.
3. Prepare your side dishes.
3. Heat up your grill and make sure to coat it with oil to prevent the meat from sticking to it.
4. Place your meat in the grill and cook away! Grill time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your meat, so keep an eye out. Pro tip: Cut bigger slabs of meat with a pair of kitchen scissors – easy to cook and even easier to eat.
5. Eat and repeat!
Where to buy Korean BBQ meat?
Shop our meat section at Premier Food Choice and you’ll find a wide variety of premium quality beef, pork and chicken, ready to be delivered in time for your Korean BBQ night.
Well, what are you waiting for? Ready, set, grill!