The Comprehensive Guide to Korean BBQ at Home with Kevin's Choice

The Comprehensive Guide to Korean BBQ at Home with Kevin's Choice

Korean BBQ is a culinary tradition that has become a global phenomenon. The experience of grilling meat at the table, surrounded by vibrant side dishes, is something that food enthusiasts can't get enough of. With Kevin's Choice, your trusted Korean online grocery store, you can recreate this authentic dining experience right in your home. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to enjoy Korean BBQ at home.

What is Korean BBQ?

Korean BBQ, known as "Gogigui" in Korean, is a popular method of grilling meat—typically beef, pork, or chicken—right at the dining table. It’s a social meal where everyone gathers around the grill, cooking their own portions and enjoying the shared experience. The focus is on high-quality meats, often marinated to perfection, and served with a variety of side dishes known as "banchan."

Pork Belly

Korean BBQ Meat

The meat is the star of the show in Korean BBQ. Each type of meat brings its own unique flavor and texture to the table, making every bite a delight. Here are some of the most popular choices, along with high-quality options available:

• Beef:

  • Marinated Beef (Bulgogi, 불고기): Bulgogi is a sweet and savory marinated beef that is incredibly tender and flavorful. The marinade, made from soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, infuses the meat with a rich umami taste that's hard to resist. You can find premium bulgogi that’s ready to grill, ensuring a delicious, authentic experience.
  • Thinly Sliced Brisket (Chadolbaegi, 차돌박이): Chadolbaegi is known for its delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. This thinly sliced beef cooks quickly on the grill, making it perfect for those who love a quick and flavorful bite. The meat has a subtle beefy flavor that pairs well with dipping sauces and wraps. Check out premium beef brisket for the best quality.

• Pork:

  • Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal, 삼겹살): Samgyeopsal is a beloved cut of pork belly known for its rich, fatty flavor and satisfying chew. When grilled, the fat renders down, giving the meat a crispy exterior while remaining juicy inside. It’s often enjoyed simply seasoned with salt or dipped in a tangy dipping sauce. Pork belly is perfect for a classic Korean BBQ experience.
  • Pork Jowl (Hangjeongsal, 항정살): Pork jowl, or hangjeongsal, is a prized cut for its tender texture and rich, flavorful marbling. This cut is slightly chewier than pork belly and has a deeper pork flavor, making it a favorite among pork lovers. Discover premium pork jowl slices for a truly authentic taste.

• Chicken:

  • Although less common in traditional Korean BBQ, marinated chicken thighs or wings bring a deliciously juicy and flavorful option to the table. The marinade often includes a combination of soy sauce, garlic, and gochujang, which gives the chicken a spicy and sweet flavor profile.

Kevin's Choice offers a selection of premium, authentic Korean BBQ meats, perfect for your home-cooked feast. Whether you’re a fan of beef, pork, or chicken, we have everything you need to create a memorable Korean BBQ experience at home.

Pork Jowl

Where to Buy Korean BBQ Meat

Finding high-quality, authentic Korean BBQ meat is crucial for a great BBQ experience. While local Korean grocery stores are becoming more popular and are popping up in many areas, not everyone has the luxury of having one nearby. For those who do, shopping in person allows you to handpick your meats, but even then, availability can be inconsistent, and the selection might not always include the specific Korean-style cuts you need. On the other hand, most mainstream U.S. grocery stores rarely offer meats cut in the traditional Korean style, making it difficult to find the right ingredients for an authentic Korean BBQ at home.

Moreover, going to an actual store to save a few dollars can end up costing you hours of time, gas, and stress—especially if the nearest Korean grocery store is not close by. The convenience of shopping online becomes clear when you consider the overall cost of a trip to the store.

This is where shopping online comes in. Kevin's Choice provides a consistent supply of high-quality, authentic Korean BBQ meats, making it easy for you to get exactly what you need. We offer a wide variety of meats, all USDA certified for safety and quality, ensuring that you receive only the best. Plus, with our competitive pricing and 1-day express delivery service across the U.S., you can enjoy the convenience of having premium cuts delivered straight to your door without the hassle of searching for a local Korean grocery store.

Kevin's Choice is your reliable source for Korean BBQ meats, offering the consistency, quality, and convenience that make every BBQ experience special.

Korean BBQ Grill, BBQ Tools, and Utensils

To get started with Korean BBQ at home, you’ll need the right tools:

• Grill: A portable tabletop grill is ideal, but a stovetop grill pan works just as well. Choose a grill that allows fat to drain away from the meat for a healthier meal.
• Tongs and Scissors: Tongs are essential for turning the meat, while kitchen scissors are used to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces directly on the grill.
• Banchan Plates: Small plates are used to serve the various side dishes, ensuring everyone has easy access.

Pre-made Korean Spicy Bulgogi Sauce

How to Marinate Korean BBQ

While traditional Korean BBQ is often grilled without marination to highlight the natural flavors of the meat, many people still enjoy the rich, sweet, and spicy flavors that marinades bring to the table. The combination of sweet and spicy marinated pork or sweet soy-marinated beef is simply heavenly, and it’s no wonder these flavors are so beloved.

Forget spending hours finding and perfecting a marinade recipe. With our pre-made marinade sauces, you can achieve the perfect flavor every time without the hassle. These sauces are crafted to bring out the best in your meats, ensuring a delicious, authentic Korean BBQ experience with minimal effort.

Our premade marinade sauces make it easy to enjoy the flavors you love:

• Korean Spicy Bulgogi Sauce: Perfect for adding a spicy kick to your pork, this sauce is a crowd favorite.
• Korean Kalbi Sauce: This sweet soy-based marinade is ideal for beef, giving it that irresistible, savory-sweet flavor.

Don’t deal with the hassle of complicated recipes and hours of marination. With these convenient marinade sauces from Kevin's Choice, you can enjoy the perfect Korean BBQ every time, right at home.

Pork Belly with Cuttlashfish Tripe Jeotgal

How to Grill Korean BBQ

Grilling Korean BBQ is an art that brings out the best flavors in each cut of meat. Here’s how to perfectly grill some of the most popular cuts:

• Pork Belly (삼겹살): Pork belly is all about achieving the right level of crispness. Depending on your preference, cook the pork belly for 2-3 minutes on each side. If you prefer it extra crispy, leave it on the grill a bit longer. The key is to render the fat slowly so that it crisps up nicely, leaving you with juicy, flavorful bites.
• Pork Jowl (항정살): Pork jowl has a similar cooking method to pork belly but with a slight twist. Start by browning the outside over medium-high heat. Once you achieve a nice sear, lower the heat to medium or low and let it cook a bit longer. This allows the fat to render fully, giving you a tender, flavorful piece of meat with a perfect balance of crispness and juiciness.
• Thinly Sliced Beef Brisket (차돌박이): This cut cooks incredibly fast, so be prepared! Grease up the pan or grill with a little oil to prevent sticking, and cook the brisket for less than 30 seconds on each side. The thin slices will cook almost instantly, so keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking. The result is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite that's rich in flavor.
• Marinated Meat: When grilling marinated meats, such as bulgogi or kalbi, it's important to cook at medium heat. This prevents the sugars in the marinade from burning while allowing the meat to cook through evenly. Turn the meat frequently to avoid charring and to ensure the marinade caramelizes nicely, giving you a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.

Each of these methods will help you achieve restaurant-quality results at home, ensuring your Korean BBQ experience is nothing short of delicious.

Leafy Wraps with Ssamjang

Korean BBQ Vegetables

Vegetables and side dishes play a vital role in Korean BBQ, enhancing the flavors of the grilled meats and adding a refreshing balance to the meal. While traditional grilled vegetables like mushrooms and leafy greens are commonly enjoyed, several essential Korean sides elevate the BBQ experience:

• Seasoned Green Onion Salad (파절이): A staple in Korean BBQ, this seasoned green onion salad adds a spicy, tangy kick that perfectly complements the richness of grilled meats. The thinly sliced green onions are mixed with a dressing of soy sauce, chili flakes, sesame oil, and vinegar, creating a burst of flavor in every bite.
• Leafy Wraps (쌈): Wrapping your grilled meat in fresh lettuce or perilla leaves, known as "ssam," is a classic way to enjoy Korean BBQ. These leafy greens provide a refreshing crunch and are often paired with a dollop of ssamjang, a thick, spicy paste made from fermented soybeans, red chili paste, garlic, and sesame oil.
• Shredded Radish Salad (무채나물): This light and crunchy side dish is made from thinly shredded radish mixed with a tangy and spicy seasoning. The crisp texture and zesty flavor of muchae namul are perfect for cutting through the richness of fatty cuts like pork belly, making it a refreshing addition to your meal.
• Garlic and Onion: Grilled garlic and onions are essential in Korean BBQ. Garlic cloves are often grilled until golden and slightly charred, adding a sweet, mellow flavor that pairs wonderfully with the meat. Onions, when grilled, become caramelized and sweet, offering a delicious contrast to the savory flavors of the BBQ.

Seasoned Herring Roe 청어알젓갈

Korean BBQ Condiments (젓갈)

No Korean BBQ is complete without the right condiments to elevate the flavors of your grilled meats. Jeotgal, a variety of traditional Korean fermented seafood, is a perfect accompaniment that adds depth and complexity to your BBQ experience. Here are some unique and flavorful jeotgal options available at Kevin's Choice that will enhance your Korean BBQ:

• Salted Opossum Shrimp Jeotgal (새우추젓): This jeotgal is made from small, opossum shrimp that are salted and fermented to perfection. The result is a deeply flavorful condiment with a briny, umami-rich taste. It pairs wonderfully with grilled pork belly or beef, adding a savory punch that complements the richness of the meat. Try it here.
• Seasoned Herring Roe Jeotgal (청어알젓): This delicacy features herring roe, which is seasoned and fermented to create a slightly crunchy texture with a rich, briny flavor. The unique taste of herring roe adds a delightful contrast to the smoky, savory flavors of grilled meats. It’s particularly good when paired with pork or wrapped in lettuce. Explore this option.
• Seasoned Cutlassfish Tripe Jeotgal (갈치속젓): Made from the tripe of cutlassfish, this jeotgal is seasoned and fermented, offering a unique, slightly chewy texture and a deeply savory flavor. It’s an excellent choice to pair with grilled pork or beef, providing a rich and complex taste that enhances the overall BBQ experience. Discover this unique jeotgal.
• Salted Pollock Roe Jeotgal (명란젓): Known for its rich, slightly spicy flavor, this jeotgal is made from salted pollock roe. The roe’s delicate texture and savory taste make it a versatile condiment that pairs well with almost any grilled meat, particularly pork belly. It can also be mixed into sauces or eaten on its own as a side dish. Check it out here.

These jeotgal options are available at Kevin's Choice, offering authentic flavors that bring an extra layer of deliciousness to your Korean BBQ. Whether you’re a seasoned jeotgal enthusiast or trying it for the first time, these condiments will add a unique and traditional touch to your meal.

Leafy Wrap with Oyster Jeotgal

How to Eat Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ is more than just a meal—it’s an immersive experience that engages all your senses. From the sizzle of the meat on the grill to the rich aromas that fill the air, every step of eating Korean BBQ is designed to maximize enjoyment and create a communal dining atmosphere. Here's how to savor this experience to the fullest:

1. Wrap It Up: Begin by taking a perfectly grilled piece of meat—whether it’s pork belly, beef brisket, or marinated short ribs—and place it in a fresh lettuce or perilla leaf. These leafy greens not only add a refreshing crunch but also serve as the perfect vessel for your BBQ masterpiece.
2. Add Condiments: Now comes the fun part—customizing your wrap. Add a dab of ssamjang, a thick and savory paste made from fermented soybeans and chili, to give your bite a kick of umami and spice. For added texture and flavor, toss in a slice of garlic, a piece of grilled onion, or a spoonful of jeotgal. Don't forget a piece of kimchi for that signature spicy, tangy contrast that elevates the whole experience.
3. Enjoy: Fold the leaf around your creation, encasing the meat and condiments in a neat package. The key to Korean BBQ is to enjoy it in one satisfying bite—this way, all the flavors combine in your mouth, creating a symphony of taste and texture. The juicy meat, the crisp greens, the bold condiments, and the refreshing bite of kimchi all come together to create an unforgettable flavor experience.

Eating Korean BBQ isn’t just about the food; it’s about the ritual, the company, and the joy of sharing a meal that is as much about the process as it is about the taste. Every bite is a celebration of flavors, a moment to be savored and shared with friends and family.

Korean BBQ Etiquette

When enjoying Korean BBQ, there are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind:

• Serving Others: It’s polite to use tongs to cook and serve the meat to others at the table.
• Sharing: Korean BBQ is a communal meal, so sharing is expected. Make sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy each type of meat.
• Pace Yourself: Korean BBQ is meant to be savored, so take your time and enjoy the process.

Which Korean Drinks to Pair with Korean BBQ

Pairing the right drink with your Korean BBQ enhances the overall experience:

• Soju: This clear, slightly sweet spirit is the most popular drink to enjoy with Korean BBQ.
• Makgeolli: A milky, slightly fizzy rice wine that pairs well with grilled meats.
• Beer: Light beers like Hite or Cass are often enjoyed alongside Korean BBQ.

Korean BBQ is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that brings people together. With Kevin's Choice, you can elevate your at-home Korean BBQ with authentic meats, sauces, and condiments that are essential for an authentic dining experience. Explore our Korean online grocery store today and discover the key ingredients to start your Korean BBQ journey!