How to Grill Like a Local: Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ

You’re sitting around a bustling table in Seoul and the charcoal begins to glow. Soon, there’s a satisfying hiss as the meat hits the grill and you share laughs with friends. Does it get any better than Korean BBQ? Wanderwell is salivating just thinking about the smoky aroma of caramelising beef mingling with the sharp, fermented tang of spicy kimchi. The food experience is fun too. The atmosphere is lively and it’s about more than just filling your stomach.

Let’s take a bite of Korean BBQ etiquette so you can grill like a pro. We’ll look at how to choose your meat, the fantastic array of side-dishes, how to craft an astonishingly flavourful wrap, and drinking Korean-style. Let’s dig in!

Need a Hotel in Seoul?

Here Are Our Recommendations:

$$$ The Plaza Seoul

- Click here for rates & availability

$$ AC Hotel by Marriott Seoul Gangnam

- Click here for rates & availability

$$ 9 Brick Hotel

- Click here for rates & availability

Navigating the Menu and Starting Your Feast

Choosing your cuts of meat is the meal’s most important decision. Your best bet is to begin with the unmarinated varieties, such as pork belly or beef brisket that cooks in seconds. Here’s why: by starting with plain meats, you avoid burning the sugar-based sauces too early, which keeps your grill surface clean and shiny for longer.

After you’ve ordered, your table will be colonised by a colourful array of small dishes known as banchan. These little plates are simply awesome, offering everything from salty dried anchovies to sweet glazed potatoes. Snack on these as much as you like because they are meant to be shared and replenished. Service is usually incredibly efficient and fast-paced to keep up with the heat of the grill and the speed with which you devour the contents of your little plates. If you run out of your favourite pickled radish, simply catch someone's eye and ask for a refill with a polite nod.

After you have selected your favourite cuts and nibbled on the sides, it is time to focus on the heat and the smoke.

Grilling Mastery and the Perfect Wrap

Taking control of the tongs is a responsibility that many locals take quite seriously. The good news is you can easily master the craft. To ensure the meat stays juicy and develops a beautiful crust on both sides, follow the one-flip rule, meaning you only turn the meat over once. If you want to look like a real pro, use the provided kitchen scissors to snip the meat into bite-sized pieces.

Once the meat is ready, you get to participate in the most iconic part of the meal: building the perfect ssam, which means “wrap” in Korean. Take a fresh lettuce or fragrant perilla leaf and place a piece of steaming meat right in the centre. Add a dollop of savoury bean paste and a sliver of grilled garlic. The result? A burst of extraordinary flavour. Eating the wrap in a single bite is the sign of a true BBQ connoisseur. You might find it a bit tricky at first, but the explosion of textures and temperatures is worth the effort.

With your appetite well-satisfied by those perfect wraps, the focus naturally shifts to the shared drinks and social harmony.

Pouring Drinks and Social Harmony

The social side of the meal is just as important as the food itself, especially when it comes to the drinks. Here’s a few etiquette tips. Keep an eye on your friends' glasses, so you can pour for others before yourself. When someone offers to fill your glass, holding it with two hands, a local sign of respect and appreciation.

If you are dining with people older than you, there are subtle ways to show your politeness through your posture. You might notice locals turning their heads slightly away from the table when they take a sip of their drink. This traditional sign of modesty is about making everyone at the table feel comfortable and valued.

Sharing a bottle of soju or a cold beer is the traditional way to wash down the rich, smoky flavours of the grilled meat. You might even try mixing the two together to create a refreshing beverage that is a staple of any local gathering. To the uninitiated, soju should be consumed with the same level of caution applied when first drinking tequila. It will come as no surprise that as the night goes on, the conversation usually flows more freely and the bonds between friends grow stronger.

Celebrating the Culinary Tradition

Korean BBQ is tasty, fun and social. With this guide, you can navigate the menu, master the grill, and share in the customs of a world-class culinary tradition. This is a style of eating that rewards curiosity and those willing to get their hands a little messy. You’ll leave the table a smile on your face and a few great stories to tell!

Want to read more? The Curious Traveller: The Ultimate 3 Days in Seoul Itinerary.

For the latest updates sign-up below!

Other Articles