Samgyeopsal (삼겹살): A Korean BBQ Experience You Can Enjoy at Home

Introduction

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) is one of Korea’s most popular and beloved BBQ dishes. It features thick, juicy slices of pork belly that are grilled to perfection and enjoyed with a variety of fresh vegetables, dipping sauces, and lettuce wraps. The beauty of samgyeopsal lies in its simplicity—grill the pork belly, dip it in sesame oil or ssamjang (a flavorful Korean dipping sauce), and wrap it in fresh lettuce with garlic, cucumber, or rice. Whether you’re dining out or enjoying it at home, samgyeopsal offers a fun, interactive, and delicious Korean BBQ experience that brings people together around the grill.

Why You’ll Love Samgyeopsal

  1. Rich, Crispy Pork Belly: The pork belly is grilled until crispy and juicy, offering a rich flavor and satisfying texture that’s hard to resist.

  2. Customizable Wraps: Samgyeopsal is all about personalizing your meal. Wrap your pork with lettuce, add your favorite veggies, and top it with flavorful sauces for a bite that’s uniquely yours.

  3. Fun and Interactive: Perfect for gatherings, samgyeopsal is an interactive meal where everyone can grill their own pork and build their own wraps. It’s a fun, communal dining experience that brings everyone together.

  4. Easy to Make at Home: While traditionally enjoyed at Korean BBQ restaurants, samgyeopsal is easy to recreate at home with a grill or stovetop pan. It’s a great way to bring the flavors of Korean BBQ to your kitchen.

How to Enjoy Samgyeopsal

  1. Grill the Pork Belly: Cook the pork belly until crispy and golden brown on each side. The perfect bite combines that crispy exterior with the juicy, tender interior.

  2. Wrap and Dip: Create a lettuce wrap with a slice of pork, a dollop of ssamjang, and fresh vegetables like garlic, cucumber, and carrots. Dip it in sesame oil and enjoy the flavorful combination.

  3. Perfect for Sharing: Samgyeopsal is ideal for sharing with family or friends, making it a perfect choice for casual gatherings or weekend meals.

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)

Ingredients:

For the Pork Belly:

  • 1 pound (450g) pork belly, thinly sliced (uncured and unsalted)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for brushing)

For the Dipping Sauces:

  1. Ssamjang Sauce:

    • 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red chili paste)

    • 2 tablespoons doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste)

    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

    • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar

    • 1 garlic clove, minced

    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)

  2. Sesame Oil Dipping Sauce:

    • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt

    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Ssam (Wrap):

  • Lettuce leaves (red leaf, green leaf, or perilla leaves)

  • 1 cucumber, sliced

  • 1 carrot, julienned

  • 1 small onion, thinly sliced

  • 2 green chilies, sliced (optional for spice)

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced (optional, for grilling)

  • Cooked white rice (optional, for filling the wraps)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Pork Belly:

    • Slice the pork belly into thin strips (if not pre-sliced) about 1/4 inch thick.

    • Season the pork belly slices with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. Set aside while preparing the grill.

  2. Make the Dipping Sauces:

    • Ssamjang Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together gochujang, doenjang, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, and sesame seeds until smooth. Set aside.

    • Sesame Oil Dipping Sauce: In another small bowl, combine sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Set aside for dipping the grilled pork belly.

  3. Prepare the Vegetables:

    • Rinse and dry the lettuce leaves, and arrange them on a plate. Slice the cucumber, carrot, onion, and green chilies, and arrange them alongside the lettuce.

  4. Grill the Pork Belly:

    • Preheat a grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grill with sesame oil to prevent sticking.

    • Grill the pork belly slices, turning occasionally, until crispy and browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. You can also grill garlic slices alongside the pork for added flavor.

  5. Assemble the Wraps (Ssam):

    • To enjoy samgyeopsal, take a lettuce leaf and place a piece of grilled pork belly in the center. Add a small amount of rice (if using), a slice of garlic, cucumber, and carrot, and a dollop of ssamjang sauce. Wrap it up and enjoy in one bite!

  6. Serve:

    • Serve the grilled pork belly with the prepared dipping sauces, vegetables, and lettuce wraps. Encourage everyone to assemble their own wraps.

Optional Add-ins:

  • Grilled Kimchi: Grilling some kimchi alongside the pork adds extra flavor and pairs perfectly with samgyeopsal.

  • Pickled Radish: Thinly sliced pickled radish (danmuji) can add a crunchy, tangy bite to your wraps.

Tips:

  • Crispy Pork Belly: For extra crispy pork, let the slices cook undisturbed for a few minutes on each side to develop a nice sear.

  • Tabletop Grilling: For an authentic experience, use a tabletop grill so everyone can grill and enjoy the pork belly fresh and hot.

  • Variations: Try marinating the pork belly in a simple soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil mixture for a twist on the classic version.

This Samgyeopsal recipe is all about the fun of grilling and assembling your own delicious wraps, making it perfect for a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. Enjoy the rich flavors of Korean BBQ right at home!