When we hear about the country South Korea, we always think about their K-POP music, Korean dramas, or their different tourist spots. Even in the culinary world, South Korea is also well-known for its delicious and mouthwatering dishes. Some Korean food dishes that you might have heard of are Kimchi, Samgyeopsal, or Bibimbap. These dishes are so popular that they are even served in some non-Korean-themed restaurants. Nonetheless, the dish that we will be teaching you this time is the Korean Beef Bulgogi recipe.

What is Korean Beef Bulgogi?

Bulgogi, which literally means fire meat, is a popular Korean dish made with thin, marinated beef or pork slices grilled on a barbecue or a stove-top griddle. It is also often stir-fried in a skillet or grill. Sirloin, rib eye, or brisket are the frequently used cuts of the beef when making this dish. The dish is very popular in South Korea. Most commonly, it is served with rice or noodles.

This dish originally came from the northern areas of the Korean Peninsula. Though it’s from the northern regions of Korea, it’s undoubtedly one of the most popular dishes in South Korea. It’s so popular that it can literally be found anywhere from upscale restaurants down to your local grocery stores as pan-ready kits. 

Excited about making your own Bulgogi dish? Here’s a quick and easy Bulgogi recipe you can cook at home. With these few ingredients, you’ll be able to make a delicious Beef Bulgogi dish in a few minutes. Just make sure that you follow these few simple steps.

Ingredients:

1 ½ pound of boneless rib-eye steak

½ small pear, peeled and coarsely grated

¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Procedure:

  1. Wrap the steak in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes. 
  2. Unwrap the steak and slice across the grain into ¼ inch thick slices.
  3. Combine the pear, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and gochujang in a medium-sized bowl.
  4. In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine the steak and soy sauce mixture. Marinate it for at least 2 hours or overnight. Don’t forget to turn the bag occasionally.
  5. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a cast-iron grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  6. Cook the steak to the grill pan in a single layer. Flip once until charred and cooked through. Work in batches. Do this with all other steaks for about 2-3 minutes per side.
  7. After cooking, serve immediately. Garnish your steak with green onions and sesame seeds. (Optional)

There you have it! A delicious yet simple dish you can cook in your own home. One bite and you’d feel just like you’re in South Korea. If you’re having trouble getting all the ingredients, visit Karman Foods’ Asian Online Market and get the most premium quality condiments with just a click.