Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) - Korean Grilled Pork Belly Recipe

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) - Korean Grilled Pork Belly

Samgyeopsal  is one of Korea's most popular dishes, often enjoyed at Korean BBQ restaurants or at home. It involves grilling thick slices of **pork belly** at the table and then wrapping the cooked meat in lettuce leaves with various condiments and sauces. It’s a fun and interactive meal perfect for gatherings!

 **Ingredients:**

**For the Pork Belly:**

- 1 lb (450g) pork belly, sliced into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) thick pieces

- Salt and black pepper (for seasoning)

- Sesame oil (for grilling)

**For the Dipping Sauces and Condiments:**

- **Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce):**

  - 2 tbsp **doenjang** (fermented soybean paste)

  - 1 tbsp **gochujang** (Korean chili paste)

  - 1 tbsp **sesame oil**

  - 1 tsp **garlic**, minced

  - 1 tsp **sugar** (or honey)

  - 1 tbsp **water** (to thin the sauce)

  - 1 tbsp **roasted sesame seeds**

  - Optional: a splash of **rice vinegar** for tang

- **Garlic & Green Chili:**

  - 6-8 cloves of **garlic**, sliced thin

  - 2-3 **green chilies** (optional), sliced thin (for extra spice)

- **Side Vegetables and Wraps:**

  - 1 head of **romaine lettuce** or **perilla leaves** (for wrapping)

  - **Kimchi** (fermented cabbage or radish kimchi)

  - **Sliced onions** (lightly pickled or raw)

  - **Fresh cilantro** (optional, for garnish)

 **For Serving:**

- Steamed white rice (optional, to eat alongside)

- **Korean-style dipping salt:** a pinch of **salt** mixed with **black pepper** and a bit of **sesame oil**

**Instructions:**

**1. Prepare the Pork Belly:**

- **Slice the Pork Belly:** If you bought whole pieces of pork belly, ask the butcher to slice it thinly into 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) thick pieces or do it yourself at home.

- **Season:** Lightly season the pork belly slices with a bit of **salt** and **black pepper** on both sides.

 **2. Prepare the Ssamjang (Dipping Sauce):**

- In a small bowl, combine the **doenjang** (soybean paste), **gochujang** (chili paste), **sesame oil**, minced **garlic**, **sugar**, and **roasted sesame seeds**.

- Add a little water to thin it out to your desired consistency, then stir well until smooth. You can adjust the amount of sugar or gochujang for sweetness and spice.

- Optional: Add a splash of **rice vinegar** for extra tanginess.

 **3. Prepare the Sides and Wraps:**

- **Lettuce Leaves:** Wash the lettuce or perilla leaves carefully and pat them dry. Arrange them on a serving platter.

- **Garlic and Chili:** Slice the garlic and green chilies thinly. You can sauté the garlic briefly in sesame oil for a milder flavor or leave it raw for a sharper taste.

- **Pickled or Raw Onion:** If you prefer a little sweetness, quickly pickle some sliced onions in a mixture of vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt for about 30 minutes.

 **4. Grill the Pork Belly:**

- Heat a **grill pan** or **Korean BBQ grill** (or use a regular frying pan) over medium-high heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, heat it to medium heat.

- Once hot, place the slices of pork belly on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until they’re golden brown and crispy. **Do not overcrowd the pan**—grill in batches if necessary. The fat from the pork will render and sizzle, giving the meat a delicious crisp texture.

- If you're grilling at the table, place the slices on the grill and cook them right in front of your guests. They can cut the meat into bite-sized pieces using kitchen scissors (which is the traditional way).

 **5. Assemble the Ssam (Wraps):**

- Once the pork belly is cooked, let everyone assemble their own wraps.

- Place a few **lettuce or perilla leaves** in the palm of your hand.

- Add a piece of grilled pork belly, a dollop of **ssamjang** sauce, and a slice of **garlic** and **green chili**. You can also add some **kimchi** or pickled onions for extra flavor.

- Wrap everything tightly in the lettuce leaf and eat it in one bite!

 **6. Optional - Serve with Rice:**

- You can serve **steamed rice** on the side if you'd like to enjoy it with the samgyeopsal, but traditionally, the focus is on the grilled meat and the wraps.

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### **Tips for the Best Samgyeopsal Experience:**

- **Grill at the Table:** If you have a tabletop grill, grilling the meat at the table with friends and family makes the experience even more enjoyable.

- **Accompaniments:** Along with the traditional **kimchi** and **sides**, try offering a few different types of pickles or fermented vegetables for extra variety.

- **Dipping Salt:** Many people like to dip the grilled pork into a mixture of **salt** and **black pepper** with a touch of **sesame oil** before wrapping it in the lettuce.

- **Slicing the Pork:** Use kitchen scissors to easily cut the cooked pork belly into bite-sized pieces.

**Enjoy!**

Samgyeopsal is all about sharing, so it’s best enjoyed with a group of friends or family. It's a fun, interactive meal where everyone can customize their own wraps to their taste. Enjoy your delicious Korean BBQ experience at home!

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