How to Eat Korean BBQ

Start with the grilled meat Take a piece of freshly grilled meat and try it on its own first. This is the best way to taste the meat’s natural flavor and texture.

Try it with dipping sauces Dip the meat into the sauces provided at the table. Depending on the restaurant, you may have salt, sesame oil, or a Korean dipping sauce.

Make a Korean ssam Take a lettuce or perilla leaf and place a piece of grilled meat in the center.

Add ssamjang and your favorite toppings Add a little ssamjang, then try adding garlic, fresh chili, onion, or other Korean side dishes. Tip: Start with a small amount of ssamjang. It is flavorful and can be quite salty.

Wrap it up and eat it in one bite! Fold the edges of the leaf inward and make a bite-sized wrap. Keep it comfortably small, and don’t cut your ssam in half.

Order a Korean stew Korean BBQ is often enjoyed with a bubbling pot of Doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) or Kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew). The warm stew makes the meal feel even more complete with grilled meat and rice.

Don’t forget the rice! Try the grilled meat, stew and Korean side dishes together with a bowl of steamed rice. It gives the table a different balance from eating the meat on its own.

Finish with Korean fried rice When you’re almost finished, ask if the restaurant offers Bokkeumbap (Korean fried rice). The staff may use the remaining meat, vegetables, sauce or broth to make fried rice right on the grill.