You don’t have wait until summertime to have Korean barbecue!
You don’t have wait until summertime to have Korean barbecue! After all, it’s a great way to beat the winter blues! But if you’ve only ever experienced KBBQ from a food truck or a restaurant, you might not know how to prepare it at home. Here are some different marinades to give a try!
Bulgogi
The bulgogi marinade is a staple of Korean barbecue, and whether you want to add a kick of flavor with pineapple or garlic, it’s tasty either way! Using a pear puree gets the best results, especially if you’re striving for authenticity. This is used in Korea as a meat tenderizer, but let’s say you can’t find that, even when you scour the store shelves. That’s okay because you can use kiwi – or in some cases, why not try soda? Especially one with a particular red and white label that uses polar bears as a mascot. You can also use chicken or pork if you like, especially if you’re not a fan of red meat, to make bulgogi. This marinade works just as well; chicken bulgogi uses gochujang, soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger powder, and black pepper. For the pork bulgogi, increase the amount of ginger you use.
Kalbi
Kalbi, or galbi as it’s sometimes spelled, refers to delicious beef short ribs. To make this marinade, you will need a few things: chopped onion, soy sauce, red wine, water, sugar, garlic cloves, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, plus black pepper and some plum syrup, if you want it.
Gochujang Shrimp
Throwing shrimp on the barbie isn’t only an Australian tradition: it’s one in Korean barbecue too! For the best tasting spicy shrimp, you should marinate them overnight, leaving the shells on. Although you might get funny looks from your dining companions for eating shrimp with the shells on, it’s the best way to do it! All you need to make it pop is gochujang, a spicy Korean chili paste that is distinctive for its fiery red color.
Miso Pork Belly
If you love bacon, then pork belly is going to be a cut above. To make this marinade, you’ll need to use miso paste, some Japanese sake, apple juice, and ginger. You won’t find this flavor of pork in a restaurant – you’re much more likely to encounter it with curry, garlic, or lemon instead.
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, email us at LottePlaza.com.