HappyCall Recipes: 5 Easy Korean BBQ Favorites

In the world of culinary arts, few cuisines spark as much excitement and delight as Korean BBQ. This beloved style of Korean cuisine, known for its interactive and social dining experience, has gained popularity worldwide. While traditionally, these dishes are enjoyed in restaurants with specially designed grills built into the tables, bringing this experience home is easier than ever with the advent of cookware like the HappyCall grill pan. Today, let's dive into five easy Korean BBQ recipes that you can prepare using your HappyCall grill for a delightful meal at home.

What Makes Korean BBQ Special?

Korean BBQ, or Gogi-gui, is distinguished by its selection of meats, marinades, and the array of side dishes, known as banchan. Here are some key elements that make Korean BBQ unique:

• Marinades: The magic of Korean BBQ often lies in its marinades, which are usually made from a mix of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar, rice wine, and sometimes sesame oil.
• Side Dishes: The wide variety of small side dishes like kimchi, pickled vegetables, and bean sprouts provide a balance to the rich, marinated meats.
• Interactive Dining: The social aspect of cooking your own food at the table adds a unique twist to the dining experience.

1. Bulgogi - The Iconic Beef BBQ

Bulgogi, meaning “fire meat”, is perhaps the most well-known Korean BBQ dish. Here’s how you can prepare it:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb thinly sliced beef (like ribeye or sirloin)
• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic
• ¹⁄₄ cup chopped green onions
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• ¹⁄₂ pear, grated
• ¹⁄₂ onion, grated

Steps:

1. Mix the Marinade: Combine soy sauce, sugar, garlic, green onions, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and the grated pear and onion. Mix well.
2. Marinate: Coat the beef slices with the marinade, cover, and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
3. Cook: Preheat your HappyCall grill. Add the marinated beef and cook until browned, turning occasionally.

🍴 Note: Letting the meat marinate for a longer time will intensify the flavors.

2. Galbi - Short Ribs to Savor

Galbi, or Korean short ribs, are known for their distinctive cross-cut flanken style, making them easier to marinate and cook:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef short ribs, flanken-cut
• ¹⁄₂ cup soy sauce
• ¹⁄₄ cup honey
• ¹⁄₄ cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Asian pear, juiced
• 1 medium onion, finely grated

Steps:

1. Prepare the Marinade: Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Marinate: Place the short ribs in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
3. Grill: Heat your HappyCall grill, place the ribs on the grill, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until browned.

3. Samgyeopsal - Pork Belly Bliss

Samgyeopsal, or grilled pork belly, is simple to prepare but delightful to eat:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork belly, skin removed
• Salt and pepper
• Sesame oil (for grilling)
• Lettuce leaves, ssamjang, sliced garlic, and gochujang for serving

Steps:

1. Season: Lightly season the pork belly with salt and pepper.
2. Grill: Preheat the HappyCall grill, brush with sesame oil, and grill the pork belly until crispy.

4. Dak Bulgogi - Marinated Chicken Delight

Dak Bulgogi offers a different twist with chicken, providing a lighter alternative to beef:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs, cut into pieces
• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons gochujang
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ¹⁄₄ cup pear juice
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil

Steps:

1. Mix Marinade: Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl.
2. Marinate: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensure they are well coated, and marinate for 1 hour.
3. Grill: Grill the chicken on your HappyCall until fully cooked, turning occasionally.

5. Spicy Pork Skewers - Jeyuk Gui

For a spicy kick, try these Jeyuk Gui or spicy marinated pork skewers:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb pork shoulder, thinly sliced
• ¹⁄₄ cup gochujang
• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Skewers (wooden or metal)

Steps:

1. Prepare Marinade: Whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil.
2. Marinate: Coat the pork slices with the mixture and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Skewer and Grill: Thread the pork onto skewers and grill on your HappyCall until the edges are crispy.

In summary, the world of Korean BBQ is rich with flavors and traditions that invite communal dining and personal cooking. With your HappyCall grill, you can bring this exciting experience into your home kitchen. From the sweet and savory bulgogi to the spicy kick of Jeyuk Gui, these five recipes not only introduce you to the delicious variety of Korean BBQ but also showcase how straightforward it can be to recreate these dishes. Each recipe highlights different aspects of Korean cuisine, offering something for everyone, whether you enjoy grilling meat or prefer something lighter like chicken.