Korean BBQ might be your favorite type of food to grab while you’re out with friends, but it has a long history in Korea that goes back farther than you might imagine. Korean BBQ has quickly risen in popularity due to its delicious flavors and the entire experience. Korean BBQ, also known as gogi-gui, literally translates to “meat roast.” This popular style of eating can include many types of sauces, sides, and meats, and it’s a great meal that even the pickiest eaters enjoy. Read on to learn more about the history of Korean BBQ and what makes the experience so unique that it has taken front and center for all of Korean Cuisine.
The History of Korean BBQ
The origins of Korean BBQ can be traced back to a nomadic group of people in central Asia called the Maek. This group of people introduced seasoned meats before it was cooked into many cultures as they traveled the land. A method that much of the world was not yet used to. For the nomadic people, seasoning the meats before cooking saved time for a group of people who were always on the move. The tribes would cook these preseasoned meats over an open flame that was adopted throughout the Korean peninsula, where the people quickly adapted it to their culture.
Korean BBQ is more than just roasted meats on an open flame. It includes a variety of side dishes or banchan. As Buddhism spread throughout the country, the use of meat was limited as the religion shunned consuming meats, which led to Koreans developing and creating a variety of vegetable-based side dishes. The meat was soon back on the menu with the invasion of the Mongols, and together, the meats and the vegetable sides are the core of what makes up Korean BBQ.
The Korean BBQ Experience
Korean BBQ as a meal offers endless flavor possibilities, but the experience is truly what makes it great. It’s definitely a meal that’s not meant to be eaten alone. Korean BBQ is best enjoyed with the company of friends or family as it includes a lot of food. To experience an authentic Korean BBQ experience, you can visit a Korean restaurant or try your hand at putting together a Korean BBQ party.
The experience includes preparing a selection of meats from beef, pork, and chicken and grilling the meat over an open flame or grill that is inlaid into the table. The meats can be marinated or seasoned, or a mixture of both. It’s served with several sauces that you can dip the cooked meat in and enjoy.
When you enjoy Korean BBQ, the side dishes will come in plenty, from Kimchi, the traditional Korean staple, to seaweed salads or tteokbokki, a Korean rice cake. Each dish is meant to complement and enhance your dining experience.
The biggest thing to remember as you enjoy your Korean BBQ experience is to remember to share. In Korean culture, sharing is the ultimate way to show respect, and with Korean BBQ, it’s polite to prepare the meats and share them with the guests at your table. Korean BBQ has a fascinating history and is a favorite meal in many countries around the world.