Samgyeopsal, one of the most popular Korean dishes, refers to pork belly meat slices grilled on your table. It’s name literally means: three (sam; 삼) layered (gyeop; 겹) flesh (sal; 살) referring to the layering of fat and meat. In fact, there’s a Samgyeopsal Day celebrated every 3rd of March (sam 삼-sam; 삼) where all people should eat Samgyeopsal. 🙂
We went all the way to the Gangneung province to taste and experience what authentic Samgyeopsal is like in Korea…
Samgyeopsal is usually eaten during dinner, but we were lucky to find a place open for lunch.
It’s a very traditional menu (no English translation), so just get the usual set. We paid KRW 8,000/person.
The meal starts with the owner prepping the grill and serving Cass Korean beer. 🙂
Banchan side dishes like kimchi and shredded lettuce with sesame dressing are served…
…as well as garlic, okra with chili paste…
…jelly with chili…
…and my favorite, green vegetables with sweet chili, and tofu with chili paste.
The restaurant has an open kitchen setup where you can see how the food is prepared.
She showed us the part of the pig where samgyeopsal comes from…
The slices of pork belly are not marinated or seasoned. The flavor comes from the quality of the meat.
Burning red charcoal is placed in the center of the grill.
The exhaust is used to intensify the heat of the charcoal.
The pork slices are cooked on one side, typically with slices of garlic and sometimes kimchi.
You flip the pork slice afterwards, making sure you cook each side only once.
Then you cut the meat into bite size pieces.
Usually, you can dip it in a sauce of salt and sesame oil for flavor. I prefer it with chili.
Cook until the meat has that good grilled finish. Just make sure not to overcook it.
The pork is usually eaten wrapped in vegetables with Ssamjang (chili), with bits of garlic, kimchi, or rice.
Traditionally, the meal ends with hot soup, probably to ensure your veins don’t clog up from eating too much samgyeopsal. 🙂
Thank you to my Samgyeopsal buddies, DJ Quang from Vietnam, Wut and Kate from Thailand, and our very good Korean Tour Guide, Helen Kim!
I’m happy I got to appreciate the art of eating Samgyeopsal the traditional Korean way. 🙂
It’s definitely an experience you shouldn’t miss when you travel to Korea!
Awesome Korea Experience: Be Inspired Series
- RAKKOJAE Secret Hanok Escape: An Ultimate Immersion to Korean Culture (Seoul)
- JINSADAEK: 14-Course Traditional Korean Food Experience!
- SAMGYEOPSAL: Lovin’ the Korean Grilled Pork Belly BBQ Experience…Yum!
- NAMSANGOL: Traditional Hanok Village + Seoul Millennium Time Capsule
- SEOUL TOWER: First Timer’s Guide to Namsan Seoul Tower Experience
- CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE & JONGMYO SHRINE: Pilgrimage to Korea’s World Heritage Sites
- MYEONG-DONG & NOO NA HOL DAK: Korean Fried Chicken Dinner
- DONG-LIM KNOT MUSEUM: Learning the Art of Traditional Korean Maedeup (Knots)
- INSA-DONG: Korea’s Traditional Food & Artist Culture Street
- ITAEWON: IP Boutique Hotel & Flying Pan Korean Brunch Experience
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
P.S. Thank you to Korean Tourism Organization of Manila for the Asian On Air Program: Asia Power Bloggers Tour of South Korea! 감사합니다 Kamsahamnida!
Here’s the calling card of the restaurant we ate at:
Samgyeopsal is my favorite Korean food. If I visit South Korea, I’ll eat in this restaurant. Thank you for the information Mr. Anton. 🙂
“Suddenly, namiss ko ang Korea!”
Samgyeopsal really is a good way to sit down and eat with friends. Don’t forget a bottle or two of soju.
By the way, the name of the restaurant translates to “Crazy Pig”.