How to Grill Samgyeopsal (Korean Pork Belly) Properly

How to Grill Samgyeopsal (Korean Pork Belly) Properly

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) is one of the most popular Korean BBQ dishes, known for its rich flavor and crispy texture when grilled. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grill and enjoy samgyeopsal the right way.

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1️⃣ Preparing the Ingredients

✅ Essential Ingredients

✔ Samgyeopsal (Pork Belly Strips): Thick slices of pork belly (about 0.5 cm to 1 cm thick)
✔ Salt & Pepper: For seasoning (optional)
✔ Garlic Cloves: Whole or sliced
✔ Kimchi: Fermented cabbage for grilling alongside the meat
✔ Vegetables: Mushrooms, onions, and green chili peppers
✔ Lettuce (Sangchu, 상추) & Perilla Leaves (Kkaennip, 깻잎): For wrapping the grilled meat
✔ Ssamjang (쌈장): Korean seasoned soybean paste
✔ Gochujang (고추장): Spicy red chili paste (optional)
✔ Soy Sauce-Based Dip (Sesame Oil + Salt + Pepper)

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2️⃣ Preheating the Grill

✔ Use a cast-iron pan, griddle, or tabletop grill.
✔ Preheat the grill on medium-high heat. If it’s too cold, the meat will become greasy; if too hot, it may burn too quickly.
✔ Do NOT add oil! Samgyeopsal has enough fat, which will render as it cooks.

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3️⃣ Grilling the Samgyeopsal

✔ Place the pork belly slices on the grill without seasoning. (Salt and pepper can be added later if desired.)
✔ Cook for about 2-3 minutes on one side until the bottom turns golden brown and crispy.
✔ Flip the meat only once! Avoid flipping too often, as it prevents proper caramelization.
✔ Press the meat gently with tongs or a spatula to render the fat and achieve a crispier texture.
✔ Once both sides are golden and slightly crispy, cut the meat into bite-sized pieces using scissors.

🔥 Tip: Move the cooked meat to the edges of the grill to keep it warm while grilling the remaining pieces.

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4️⃣ Grilling the Side Ingredients

✔ Garlic: Place whole or sliced garlic in a small pan with sesame oil or directly on the grill.
✔ Kimchi: Grill alongside the meat for a smoky, caramelized flavor.
✔ Mushrooms & Onions: Grill until slightly browned and tender.

🔥 Tip: Cook the garlic and kimchi in the rendered pork fat for extra flavor!

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5️⃣ How to Eat Samgyeopsal (The Right Way!)

🥬 Ssam (Korean Lettuce Wrap) Style:
1️⃣ Take a perilla leaf or lettuce leaf.
2️⃣ Add a piece of grilled pork belly.
3️⃣ Top with grilled kimchi, garlic, and a small amount of ssamjang.
4️⃣ Optionally, add a slice of green chili for extra spice.
5️⃣ Wrap it up and eat in one bite!

🔥 Tip: Pair it with a shot of soju (Korean rice liquor) for the ultimate Korean BBQ experience.

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6️⃣ Cleaning the Grill

✔ Use paper towels or a grill scraper to remove excess grease between batches.
✔ If there’s too much oil, use a small bowl to collect the rendered fat.

Now you’re ready to enjoy authentic Korean samgyeopsal like a pro! 😋🔥