Korean barbecue is a popular dish that typically consists of marinated beef short ribs or thinly sliced ribeye cooked on a grill at the table. The sweet and savory marinade gives the beef a delicious flavor, but what should you serve alongside the meat? Here are some ideas for classic Korean barbecue pairings and sides that complement beef well.
Rice
Rice is a staple side dish in Korean cuisine and an essential part of any Korean barbecue meal. Plain white rice or multicorn rice can help soak up the savory juices and flavors from the grilled meat. Some great options include:
- Steamed white rice
- Brown rice
- Black rice
- Rice mixed with beans, vegetables, or grains like barley
For something a bit heartier, try bibimbap, which features rice topped with sautéed vegetables, greens, sprouts, mushrooms, and often a fried egg and gochujang (Korean chili paste). The runny yolk in the bibimbap mixes nicely with the rice and vegetables.
Vegetables
A variety of fresh, crisp vegetables are another typical Korean barbecue accompaniment. They add nutrition, texture, and color contrast to the rich beef. Great veggie sides include:
- Lettuce – Use lettuce leaves to wrap meat and rice for ssam style eating
- Spinach
- Bean sprouts
- sliced cucumbers
- blanched broccoli
- Thinly sliced purple cabbage
- Carrots
- Onions
- Garlic
- Mushrooms
For extra flavor, lightly dress the vegetables with sesame oil, salt, and pepper or a vinegar-based sauce.
Noodles
Noodles are another carb option to consider instead of or in addition to rice. Some good noodle pairings for Korean BBQ beef include:
- Glass noodles – made from potato starch or sweet potato starch
- Cellophane noodles – made from mung bean starch
- Somen noodles – thin wheat flour noodles
- Udon noodles – thick, chewy wheat flour noodles
- Ramen noodles
Noodle dishes like japchae (glass noodles) and jajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) are nice contrasts to grilled meat.
Condiments and Sauces
Having a variety of sauces and condiments on the table lets everyone flavor their meat and rice as they like. Here are some typical Korean barbecue condiments:
- Gochujang – Spicy fermented red chili paste
- Ssamjang – Thicker spicy bean paste
- Doenjang – Fermented soybean paste
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar – Rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Green onions – chopped
- Garlic – minced or pureed
- Gochugaru – Korean red pepper powder
Having an assortment of sauces allows each person to control the flavor and spiciness of their individual meal.
Banchan
No Korean barbecue meal is complete without banchan, the small side dishes that accompany every meal. Typical banchan consist of vegetables, seafood, tofu, eggs, and kimchi. Banchan add nice textures and flavors to complement the beef. Some popular banchan options include:
- Kimchi
- Spicy cucumber salad
- Seasoned spinach
- Marinated bean sprouts
- Stir-fried mushrooms
- Pickled radish
- hard boiled eggs
- fried tofu
- fish cakes
- seaweed
Having 3-5 banchan selections lets guests sample a variety of flavors and textures family-style.
Grilled Vegetables
For a well-rounded barbecue meal, consider grilling up some vegetables alongside the meat. Hearty veggies that work well cooked over the flames include:
- Thick slices of onion
- Portobello mushroom caps
- Sweet potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Asparagus
- Squash
- Eggplant
- Zucchini
Brush the vegetables with sesame oil, salt, and pepper or marinate them beforehand to add lots of flavor. Grilled vegetables pair perfectly with the smoky barbecue beef.
Lettuce Wraps
For a fun, interactive eating experience, serve the meat Korean barbecue style in lettuce wraps known as sangchussam or ssam. Simply place cooked meat, rice, kimchi, veggies, and ssamjang sauce in a lettuce leaf and wrap it up like a taco.
The cool, crisp lettuce balances the hot, fatty meat beautifully. Plus, lettuce wraps feel fresher than loading everything into a tortilla or bao bun.
Dipping Sauces
Korean barbecue traditionally comes with several dipping sauce options. Having a selection allows guests to control the flavor profile and spice level of each bite. Try out:
- Gochujang – Spicy, pungent red chili paste
- Ssamjang – Thicker, more savory version of gochujang
- Soy sauce – Saltiness balances the rich meat
- Vinegar – Helps cut through the heaviness of beef
- Ponzu – Citrusy Japanese dipping sauce
- Sesame oil – Nutty, aromatic oil
You can also make quick dipping sauces by combining sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, chili flakes, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce in various proportions.
Fresh Herbs
Don’t underestimate the importance of fresh herbs and garnishes! Herbs like cilantro, basil, mint, or thai basil help balance heavy meats with their bright, fresh flavor. They also add nice color contrast.
Try scattering some chopped fresh herbs over cooked meat or adding whole leaves to lettuce wraps. A garnish of herbs and lime wedges right before eating brings everything together.
Desserts
While Korean barbecue focuses on savory meat dishes, a light dessert can be a pleasant way to cleanse the palate after all that salty, spicy, garlicky food. Fresh fruit like watermelon, mango, or pineapple makes an easy, light dessert. Or serve a crispy cookie or small frozen dessert like bingsu (shaved ice) if looking for something sweeter.
Beverages
Here are some thirst-quenching beverages that work well with Korean barbecue:
- Soju – Korean rice liquor
- Makgeolli – Cloudy, unfiltered Korean rice wine
- Beer – Korean or domestic brands
- Iced tea
- Sodas
- Fresh fruit juice
- Sparkling water
- Barley tea
Opt for lighter drinks that won’t overwhelm the flavors of the food itself. And be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water in between courses!
Conclusion
Authentic Korean barbecue is all about balancing rich, aggressively flavored beef with plenty of bright, fresh accompaniments. Crisp vegetables, cooling rice, spicy kimchi, umami-packed sauces, and herb garnishes all work together to create a well-rounded meal.
While meat is the star at Korean BBQ, pay equal attention to the banchan, sauce bar, and sides. Offering a mix of sweet, salty, spicy, acidic, and cooling flavors will allow your guests to customize each bite to their tastes.
With the right balance of tastes, textures, aromas, and colors, Korean barbecue can be an incredibly satiating, multidimensional eating experience.