Easy to make, slightly sweet, perfectly salty, with a touch of heat, hands down, bulgogi is my favorite Korean dish.
The first time I had a bulgogi at Korean BBQ joint it was love at first bite. Since then I have been attempting to recreate the dish at home and I think I have finally nailed the marinade. This dish is all about the marinade and the key is Korean pear. The pear has a magical property that seems to transform the meat. It super tender and when cooking the sugar caramelizes and forms a delicious char.
The dish is a cinch to make. I typically prepare the marinade the night before I make the dish. Then, before heading to work I add the meat to the marinade and let it do its thing. When I get home from work I make some rice and then cook the bulgogi while the rice is cook. I should add bulgogi makes great lunch leftovers. Or for a real treat, top with a fried egg and eat the leftovers for breakfast. Regardless of when you eat bulgogi your going to love it!
Bulgogi
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar mirin
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 of a Korean pear grated alteranetely you can use 1 medium apple
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons crushed red peppers
Beef
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 pound thinly sliced sirloin
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
Instructions
Marinade
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In a medium sized bowl, whisk marinade ingredients together until combined. Add meat and mix until meat is coated with marinade. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours.
Beef
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Remove beef from bowl and drain. Add onions to beef.
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Heat a pan on high heat. Add beef slices individually with a few onions. Cook beef for 1-2 minutes on each side. Once cooked reserve beef. Top with chives and serve with cooked rice.
Shannon says
How do you think the marinade would work on tempeh? Sounds really good so I want to try it.
delane says
Absolutely. reduce the reserved marinade and drill on like a sauce.
Susan says
Yum. Will make next week.
Melinda Ester says
I must try this I’ve been wanting this for a long time hope it comes out great
delane says
It’s pretty easy to make. The right type of meat is key.