ⓒ The JoongAng

You've probably heard of Korean BBQ, whether or not you've been to Korea. That's because in recent years, the popularity of Korean BBQ has grown so much that it has become not just a simple dish but a must-try representative experience of South Korea. Korean BBQ isn't just a meal—it's a part of Korea's unique meat-grilling culture. But what is so appealing about Korean BBQ that even foreigners love it so much?

First of all, with Korean BBQ, in addition to eating delicious meat, you also get an interactive and social experience. Koreans grill their own meat themselves at the table. This way, questions about preferred level of grilling your meat could become a good way to start conversations and know more about your friends. Also, the experience of grilling meat for a friend or getting your meat grilled by a friend makes people closer.

ⓒ Siksinhot

Another important point of appeal of the Korean BBQ is that it’s not just about meat. Meat is only one half of the Korean BBQ experience. When you order BBQ at a Korean meat restaurant, you usually get a variety of side dishes and vegetables (like kimchi, pickled radish, steamed spinach, bean sprouts, cucumber salad and so on), and lettuce to make meat wraps and sauces. It is also common to get soybean paste stew or kimchi stew along with your meat. Often times there is not an empty space at the table because of all these side dishes

The traditional method of eating grilled meat is also something that a lot of foreigners find fun. The meat together with garlic, kimchi, or chili peppers is usually wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves (or other leafy greens sometimes) and topped with traditional meat sauce called ssamjang. These wraps are called ssam. Ssam is usually wrapped up and eaten in one bite. This way of eating grilled meat is the most loved one by Koreans, because the freshness of lettuce or perilla leaves makes the perfect balance for the rich flavors of meat.

ⓒ HiDoc News

However, it’s not just a fun method of eating meat, Korean BBQ is also considered quite healthy. First, the variety of side dishes balances meat with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The side dishes are also usually low-carb, which means fewer empty calories. Moreover, the process of grilling allows the excess meat’s fat to drip away, which makes the meal less greasy compared to other meat dishes.

Meat grilling has been a part of the culture of some other Asian countries, like Japan, as well. But what makes Korean BBQ so special is that it’s highly social and interactive. Korean BBQ is not just a meal, it is a communal event where people gather around the grill, cook together and share meal. Such meat grilling process encourages conversation and bonding and that is why so many foreigners love it when they visit Korea.

ⓒ The New York Times

With the number of Korean BBQ fans growing around the world, Korean grilling culture is expanding into foreign countries as well these days. In fact, the number of Koreans who start Korean BBQ restaurants overseas is increasing and they are getting better and better feedback. That’s why if you want to experience Korean food and Korean culture all in one, we definitely recommend to try delicious Korean BBQ and wrap your own ssam!

And if it's not possible to go to a Korean BBQ restaurant where you live, we recommend you re-creating the exciting atmosphere of Korean meat grilling experience at home with your friends. There few items will definitely help you to feel the Korean BBQ vibe no matter where you are:

ⓒ NavidCook Korean Grill Stove                                                            ⓒ WM Global Mini Grill Pipi 1 Pearson 

ⓒ CJ Haechandeul Ssamjang Seasoned Soybean Paste                                              ⓒ Bibigo Soybean Paste Stew            

     ⓒ HeeJeonSaDae Korean Cutlery Set                                                      ⓒ Living_Story Sharing dish set side dish bowl