Authentic Korean BBQ Beef (Bulgogi)
Experience the authentic flavors of Korean BBQ at home. Thinly sliced beef is marinated in a savory soy-garlic glaze and grilled to perfection with sweet onions and glass noodles.
Bulgogi, literally translating to fire meat, is a beloved staple of Korean cuisine. This dish relies on a harmonious balance of savory soy sauce, sweet sugar, and aromatic garlic, creating a deeply flavorful marinade that tenderizes the beef. Traditionally cooked over an open flame or on a specialized grill pan, it is a versatile and comforting main course that is often enjoyed with rice, fresh lettuce wraps, and an assortment of banchan.
Ingredients
- 500 g thinly sliced beef (ribeye or sirloin)
- 1 white onion
- 2–3 green onions
- 120 g soy sauce
- 80 g white sugar
- 50 g minced garlic
- 10 g sesame oil
- 3 g pepper powder
- 100 g glass noodles (soaked)
- 5 g MSG (optional)
- optional sliced shiitake mushrooms
Instructions
- 1Slice the green onions
Place the green onions on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to thinly slice them. This will be used as part of the marinade for the beef, adding essential flavor and aroma to the dish.
Tip: To get uniform slices, hold the green onions firmly and use a steady rocking motion with your knife. - 2Slice the white onions
Thinly slice the white onions on a wooden cutting board. These will be added to the marinade later to provide natural sweetness and texture to the dish.
Tip: Slicing the onions uniformly ensures they cook evenly alongside the thinly sliced beef. - 3Squeeze the beef
After washing the thinly sliced raw beef in clean water, place it in a metal strainer. Use your hands to firmly press down and squeeze out any excess water.
Tip: Removing excess water is crucial—it helps the beef absorb the marinade properly and prevents the dish from becoming watery during cooking. - 4Add the soy sauce
Transfer the squeezed beef into a large glass mixing bowl. Pour in 120 grams of soy sauce, which will act as the rich, savory foundation for the Korean BBQ marinade.
Tip: Adding the liquid seasoning first helps coat the meat evenly before the solid aromatics are introduced. - 5Add the sliced aromatics
Add the freshly sliced green and white onions directly into the mixing bowl over the beef and soy sauce mixture.
Tip: The onions will release their natural juices and sugars as they marinate, tenderizing and flavoring the beef. - 6Add garlic and seasonings
Add 50 grams of minced garlic to the beef mixture, along with 80 grams of white sugar, 10 grams of sesame oil, 5 grams of MSG, and 3 grams of pepper powder. Garlic is a staple aromatic in Korean BBQ that provides a pungent, savory depth to the meat.
Tip: Always use freshly minced garlic rather than pre-minced jars for the most vibrant flavor in your marinade. - 7Marinate the beef
In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with the prepared green onions, white onions, soy sauce, white sugar, minced garlic, sesame oil, MSG, and pepper powder. Mix everything together thoroughly by hand to ensure the beef is evenly coated with the marinade.
Tip: Wearing food-safe gloves makes mixing the marinade into the meat much easier and more hygienic. - 8Grill the beef
Arrange the marinated beef mixture evenly onto a preheated grill pan. Spread it out slightly to ensure even cooking, allowing the sugars in the marinade to caramelize against the hot surface.
Tip: Do not overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the meat to steam rather than sear. - 9Add glass noodles
Add a portion of soaked glass noodles directly into the grill pan alongside the cooking beef. The noodles will absorb the flavorful juices released by the meat and the marinade as everything finishes cooking together.
Tip: Ensure your glass noodles are fully soaked and softened before adding them to the pan so they cook through quickly.
