In this recipe, we’re using it to prepare a version of bulgogi, one of the most popular dishes in Korean cuisine, both in restaurants and in homes. Typically prepared with fancier cuts of beef, bulgogi rests in a mild, balanced marinade for hours (ideally overnight) before getting crispy and caramelized on the grill. This recipe delivers all that flavor on a hamburger budget. Sweet and salty, it’s a flexible base that can be served with lettuce wraps, rice, noodles, or rolled up into homemade Kimbap. Read our interview with Peter Serpico about his book, “Learning Korean”, and his journey as an American chef understanding his Korean roots through food. Skipping marinade time is fine, but the flavor is deeper with proper marinade time. Recipe excerpted with permission from “Learning Korean: Recipes for Home Cooking” by Peter Serpico (WW Norton & Company, 2022). All rights reserved. Serve the bulgogi hot, with lettuce or cabbage wraps and steamed rice.
