Korean BBQ – A Carnival of Flavors Without the Grill
Indulge in the captivating world of Korean BBQ as the tantalizing aroma of sizzling, succulent pork belly permeates your senses. No backyard or grill required, as you recreate this enchanting experience in the comfort of your own kitchen, using just a pan and your trusty stove top. Get ready to savor the delectable flavors of Korean BBQ with succulent pork belly like never before.
The trick is in the quality of the kimchi you choose; it can elevate your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. It’s advisable to test a few brands before settling on your preferred choice. While jarred kimchi works well for instant noodles, soups, or kimchi pancakes, fresh kimchi often delivers a more vibrant flavor that can enhance your BBQ and take your rice consumption to new heights.
The Recipe: Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 strips of pork belly (½ inch thick)
- 1 onion (sliced into ¼ inch segments)
- A generous bunch of your preferred mushrooms (sliced)
- ½ of a large head of red-leaf lettuce (keep leaves whole)
- 1 cup fresh kimchi
- 3-4 tablespoons ssamjang paste (to your liking)
- 1 scallion (sliced thinly)
- 1 long, spicy green pepper (remove seeds and slice thinly)
- 3 garlic cloves (sliced)
How to Make Your Pan-Seared Korean BBQ
- Gather all of your ingredients. Warm a pan over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil. Add your pork belly slices and onions to the pan. Aim to brown the pork and bring out the sweet notes in the onions.
- Toss in the mushrooms and let them cook in the flavorful pork fat. Continue this process until the pork, onions, and mushrooms have caramelized and are beautifully tender. Use kitchen scissors to divide the pork belly into 1-inch pieces.
- Now comes the fun part – serving and eating! Place some of your pork belly, onions, and mushrooms onto a lettuce leaf. Layer it with some kimchi and samjang for added kick. Then top it off with raw scallion, pepper, and garlic. Savor the burst of flavors in one mouthful along with some steamed rice!
Embrace the Joy of Korean BBQ
Homemade Korean BBQ is more than just a meal, it’s a unique, interactive dining experience that’s all about customization. Feel free to experiment with other types of leafy greens or add other toppings such as pickled radishes or bean sprouts. The sky’s the limit when it comes to personalizing your wrap.
Also, don’t be afraid to play around with the ratios of the ingredients based on your taste preferences. If you’re a fan of spicy food, add more ssamjang paste or use spicier kimchi. If you’re a garlic lover, throw in a few extra slices. Remember, the best part about making your own Korean BBQ is that you’re in control of the flavor journey! Happy cooking!