We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Galbi?

By Eugene P.
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,005
References
Share

Galbi is a type of Korean barbecue dish that involves cooking marinated beef short ribs over a wood fire until they are tender and the outside is crisp and caramelized. Although the name "galbi" actually means "ribs", meat such as chicken or pork also can be used, though beef ribs remain the most common cut for galbi. The marinade for the meat varies from one recipe to the next but almost always includes soy sauce, sugar and garlic as a base, with ingredients such as sweet rice wine, citrus juice or even soda added. There are really two traditional ways to cook galbi, the first being over a wood fire and the second being done by diners at a table with a small fire pot in the center. The meat can be served with kimchi or rice or it can be wrapped with other vegetables in lettuce leaves.

Beef short ribs are frequently used in galbi, although the cut might be different than what is traditionally seen in other barbecue rib dishes. The meat can be cut into thin strips, sometimes with a little bone still attached to one end. This lets the marinade seep into most of the meat while also reducing the amount of time needed to cook. The short ribs are not always cut in this way and can be used whole, or cut thick. Barbecue that is made with thin, boneless strips of rib meat is known as L.A. galbi, apparently because the style originated in Los Angeles-based Korean restaurants.

Before grilling, the ribs are marinated in a mixture of garlic, sugar and soy sauce. Other acids, especially citrus or fruit juices such as Asian pear or pineapple, can be added to help tenderize the meat. For flavor, onions, ginger and peppers can be made into a paste. The meat is placed in the marinade and left to sit for anywhere from one hour to overnight. In general, the flavor imparted to the meat can either be sweet or sweet and sour.

Depending on the exact cut of meat being used, the authentic way to prepare galbi is over a wood fire. If the cut of the ribs is thick, then they are cooked slowly over a long period of time, sometimes protected from burning by being wrapped in leaves. For meat that has been cut thin, a shorter amount of cooking time over high heat is preferred. Alternately, a small barbecue or fire pot can be placed on the serving table so those eating are able to cook thin pieces of meat themselves.

The cooked meat can be served over rice or can have some of the original marinade reduced and used as a dipping sauce. The meat also can be added as a flavoring in some soups. One popular way to eat galbi is to wrap a piece of hot meat in a lettuce leaf, along with small pieces of fresh vegetables, and then eat the packet like a dumpling.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-galbi.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.