Korean BBQ at Home: Easy Recipes to Try with Your Family

Turn your next routine family dinner into a sizzling Korean BBQ feast with these easy, restaurant-worthy recipes. From sweet and savoury bulgogi to spicy pork and crispy samgyeopsal, these crowd-pleasing dishes bring the excitement of Korean barbecue right to your dining table, no need for fancy equipment. 

Gather around, fire up the grill (or skillet!), and let the fun and hands-on dining experience begin!

1. Bulgogi (Korean Marinated Beef)

The crown jewel of Korean BBQ, bulgogi literally means “fire meat”. This sweet and savoury marinated beef is incredibly tender, flavourful, and best sliced thin and marinated for over 2 hours. Grill, pan, or skillet will give it a good caramelised finish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ribeye or sirloin, sliced paper-thin (freeze for 30 minutes first for easier slicing)
• 1/2 Asian pear, grated (or 1/4 cup apple juice)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp rice wine or mirin
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method:

1. Combine all marinade ingredients (everything except beef) in a bowl
2. Add sliced beef and massage marinade into meat
3. Marinate for 2-4 hours in refrigerator
4. Heat grill or skillet over medium-high heat
5. Cook beef for 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized
6. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions 

2. Galbi (Korean Short Ribs)

These bone-in short ribs are a KBBQ staple that’s surprisingly simple to make. The marinade penetrates deep into the meat, creating incredibly tasty and tender ribs. Ask your butcher to cut the ribs flanken-style (across the bone) for easier eating. The sweet-savoury glaze that forms during cooking is absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs, cut flanken-style
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp rice wine or mirin
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Asian pear, grated
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Method:

1. Score the meat in a crosshatch pattern to help marinade penetrate
2. Mix all marinade ingredients in a large bowl
3. Add ribs and marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight
4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat
5. Grill ribs for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred
6. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving

3. Dak Galbi (Spicy Grilled Chicken)

This spicy, sweet chicken dish brings serious heat and flavour to your KBBQ spread. Originally from Chuncheon, it’s become a favourite across Korea for its addictive gochujang-based sauce. The chicken gets incredibly tender and absorbs all those amazing flavours. Don’t worry if you can’t handle too much spice—you can adjust the gochujang to your liking.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chilli paste)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice wine or mirin
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Method:

1. Combine gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger
2. Marinate chicken in this sauce for 2-4 hours
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat
4. Add onion and carrot, stir-fry for 2 minutes
5. Add marinated chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes until cooked through
6. Garnish with green onions and serve

Note: Feel free to add cabbage, sweet potato, or rice cakes for a heartier dish, as in the traditional Chuncheon version.

4. Samgyeopsal (Korean Pork Belly)

No KBBQ is complete without samgyeopsal—thick slices of pork belly grilled to crispy perfection. No marinade needed here, just high-quality pork belly and proper grilling technique. The key is getting a good char on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Serve with ssam (lettuce wraps), kimchi, and various banchan for the full Korean experience.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs pork belly, skin removed, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 2 tsp coarse salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Butter lettuce leaves for wrapping
• Kimchi for serving
• Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce) for serving

Method:

1. Pat pork belly slices dry and season with salt and pepper
2. Heat grill or cast iron pan over medium-high heat
3. Brush with oil and cook pork belly for 4-5 minutes per side
4. Add garlic slices in the last minute of cooking
5. Cut into bite-sized pieces with scissors
6. Serve immediately with lettuce, kimchi, and ssamjang

5. Dwaeji Bulgogi (Korean Spicy Pork)

This is bulgogi’s spicier cousin that packs a punch with gochujang and garlic. The pork shoulder becomes addictively succulent after marinating and develops a beautiful caramelised crust when grilled. It’s perfect for those who want more heat in their KBBQ spread. The balance of sweet, spicy, and savoury flavours makes this absolutely addictive.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, sliced thin
• 3 tbsp gochujang
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp rice wine or mirin
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Method:

1. Freeze pork for 30 minutes, then slice as thinly as possible
2. Mix gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger
3. Combine pork, onion, and marinade in a bowl
4. Marinate for 2-4 hours in refrigerator
5. Cook in a hot skillet or grill for 5-7 minutes until caramelised
6. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds

Essential KBBQ Serving Tips

• Banchan: Serve with various side dishes like kimchi, pickled radish, and bean sprouts
• Ssam: Provide butter lettuce or perilla leaves for wrapping the meat
• Ssamjang: This fermented bean paste sauce is a must for dipping
• Rice: Serve with steamed white rice to balance the rich flavours
• Grilling: If possible, use a tabletop grill so everyone can cook their own meat

Craving More? Visit Hanjip Korean Grill House

Fire up the grill, stack the banchan, and let the feast begin! These recipes prove Korean BBQ is as fun to make as it is to eat. 

However, if you’re yearning for something more, Hanjip Korean Grill House’s chefs are ready to wow you with premium cuts and authentic flair. Tuck into an elevated KBBQ experience with our expertly curated meat selection and impeccable service, defined by genuine Korean hospitality.

Reserve your spot today.