One of the most sought-after Korean barbecues is galbi, which can either be beef or pork ribs. What makes this dish unique and delicious is the marinade. And there are two ways on how to prepare this famous Korean BBQ ribs: the traditional and LA-style. Often, one will find a chef that makes galbi in a conventional way, also called Wang Galbi, which literally means "King Ribs."
Wang Galbi makes use of a full length of rib in which the meat is butterflied to create flat layers that are attached to the bones on one side. The meat is then soaked in a cheongju (Korean rice wine) with ground pear, and is left in the fridge for 30 minutes. In case cheongju is unavailable, white wine or sake can be used as alternatives.
In seasoning galbi, people find the pear a strange ingredient. Pears are added in a lot of Korean meat dishes, like bulgogi. This fruit is grated to add a natural sweetness to the flavoring, and it even tenderizes the meat.
While the meat is set aside, the marinade needs to be done. Ingredients required are soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ground onion, chopped green onions, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and black pepper. After 30 minutes, the marinade is rubbed on both sides of the meat, which is massaged by hand for one minute. Right after that, the marinated ribs are placed in the fridge for three to four hours. For the best flavor, some prefer to leave it overnight.
In cooking the ribs, it is best to grill it over direct medium-high heat for ten minutes, particularly five on each side until it turns nicely browned. For extra flavor and shine, brush on some remaining marinade on the meat almost midway through grilling. The meat is then served as it is and is cut using kitchen scissors.
The traditional galbi is accompanied with a bowl of rice, kimchi, doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), and other small side dishes called banchan. Also, galbi is typically eaten as ssam or "wrap" using leafy vegetables like lettuce and comes with ssamjang, garlic, and a sauce of soybean and chili paste mixture.
Give galbi a try and enjoy it with your family and friends during special occasions or even in just an ordinary day!
