How to Properly Eat Korean BBQ | Cuisine Code | NowThis

Here's the right — and wrong — way to eat Korean BBQ.

In Korea, the barbecue restaurants won’t be the same as what you might find in Texas or Missouri. Instead, you are in charge of cooking your own delicious thin strips of meat, right at the table. In order to cook an awesome Korean barbeque feast, here’s what you should know.

Firstly, make sure not to burn your meat. This may seem obvious, but it’s disrespectful to let your meat overcook. And if you want to really look like a pro, ask for a clean grill in between meats.

In Korea, scissors are used to cut meat up instead of knives. And you don’t have to use chopsticks to eat your rice — you can feel free to use a spoon.

The appetizers that are brought your table before you order are free. They usually come with different types of kimchi, sprouts, radishes and potato salad — but every restaurant is different. The small plates taste great with your meal, but feel free to munch on them beforehand.

If you’re served a bowl of lettuce with your meal, it’s not for a salad — it’s for wrapping up your meat. Break the lettuce in half so it’s the size of your palm, then layer the meat with scallions, garlic, and sauce.

It’s also usually rude to refuse alcohol while at a Korean barbecue establishment, so, even if you’re not feeling up for it, you can pretend you’ll drink it later. Usually the oldest at the table pours everyone else’s drinks and, if you’re feeling super stuffed by the end of the meal, that means you’ve done it right.

Connect with NowThis

NowThis is your premier news outlet providing you with all the videos you need to stay up to date on all the latest in trending news. From entertainment to politics, to viral videos and breaking news stories, we’re delivering all you need to know straight to your social feeds. We live where you live.

@nowthisnews

[OtakuGiggler]

1. dont burn your meat, true! Generally someone on your table is the BBQer, you can put how ever much meat on as u want at a time. If the meat is ready serve your friends and keep them topped up, if everyone has enough food on their plate, you can leave it on the sides of the grill where it isnt hot so it doesnt burn, but still keeps it warm. It isnt disrespectful to burn your meat (unless u smoke the whole place out), but they will think ur dumb lol. Also just ask for a clean grill plate it your one gets too gunky, dont do it for every single meat change, omg annoying.

2. scissors are used to cut the meat. You do this once it is half cooked, not before or after, just any time in between. Making sure your spoon and chopstick is clean before sharing is such a western thing to say. I have NEVER seen or heard of ANYONE do this. Koreans usually eat "family style" so theyre definitely not germ-a-phobes. Theyd probably look at u funny. Koreans use their own spoons and dip it right into the communal stew, into their mouth and back into the stew and back into their mouth. Dont wipe your spoon or chopstick, it might offend them, like u are scared that they are dirty. Eating rice with a spoon is how koreans eat it, so dont feel bad if u cant eat rice with chopsticks. Its actually more correct to eat it with a spoon!

3. side dishes are free! but unlike in korea, if you live in a western country it might cost you $10 to get a refill (but ask for a refill anyway, they will tell u if it costs more).

4. eat ssam in one bite is correct, and a lot easier than not. Also it is correct to put side dishes/banchan in your wrap! I dont know why they straight up lied lol. you can put multiple meats in too, as well as cooked and uncooked kimchi and garlic, even rice! Literally whatver u want.

5. stews are called jjigae and they might be called stew or soup, since they are kinda inbetween them both.

6. Alcohol, also some straight up bad info in this video. The youngest will ALWAYS pour alcohol for everyone else out of respect for their elders. Someone else on the table will pour your drink for you, NEVER POUR YOUR OWN DRINK. As a rule if someone finishes their glass, you must fill it again. if u dont want it to be filled dont finish it. This goes for soju too. Just because it is in a small glass doesnt mean u have to shot it, many koreans just sip, especially if they are slowing down. Also try mixing 1 shot of soju into a glass of beer and mixing with a spoon, this is extremely common in korea, this is called somaek (soju and maekju/beer)

If you are still having trouble, just watch a bbq video from the youtubers korean englishman. It will make you want to eat it even more! :)

[cameronhetzler]

This video isn't very accurate. I've lived in a Koreatown for nearly 8 years, my wife is Korean, I speak the language (not fluently but I don't need translation for most conversations). You never cook your own food - it's a liability having an unknown patron man the grill, but if you REALLY wanna eat the food properly, do the following: (1) If you order pork (specifically samgyeopsal), add some kimchi and garlic slices to the grill so they can simmer in some of the residual fat (great savory flavor and lines your stomach well for soju), (2) always get a soup (a jjigae) - the meats you cook can be added to those soups and the flavor from the meat can give your soup a great taste (also the soup itself can offer a unique taste to the meat), (3) never order chicken - Korean marinades have a tough time getting into that meat but nobody will judge you if you do, (4) never pour your own drink and always place your free hand on your pouring forearm if you pour for an elder, (5) out of respect, always turn your face away when consuming an alcoholic drink with an elder, and (6) always fight to pay for the meal. It ain't a meal if everyone ain't fighting to cover the tab lol.

[bionicenchantress]

Everything in this video is true about Korean BBQ EXCEPT for the fact that it is the YOUNGEST who pours everyone a drink, not the oldest. If there is an elder at the table, pour them a drink FIRST and ALWAYS wait for them to start eating.

[gregoriobernstine]

I went lastnight with my wife for the first time. I dearly wish i watched this first

[benkoskinen]

2:38 Me being a 5ft adult dude, "I'm 15 I can't drink sorry.."

[NotHPotter]

I'd always heard that the youngest serves drinks for the elders.

[gator]

I've never gotten lettuce wraps when I've been to KBBQ places

[ikiruyamamoto]

Not a bad intro. But, unless it's being done in Korea, you can save all the Korean rules. In the US, you can eat it however you like....and refuse alcohol or pour it yourself.

[GandalftheWise]

I learned when stationed in Korea with the Army. Shout out to all US servicemen stationed in Korea

[Armendicus]

I think that if I go to one of these places it'll be with as few people as possible or alone.

[alicecantsleeep]

The weird swing at KBBQ in texas is... so weird. I grew up here, found KBBQ here and have had most of my KBBQ in the Texas/Austin area. I have also traveled and had it in other states and regions and simply put, kbbq in texas is not texas-ified at all. There are already no baby back ribs or, what was it, bbq sandwich with coleslaw? LOL where'd you get that? SMH our kbbq here is run by korean people and they serve it as authentic as every other state.

So your comment clearly indicates, you haven't had it here, you're just making an ignorant joke based off the two types of BBQ and have no idea what texas is really like. Nice.

[tomnookevil]

Wait what keep the bowl on the table? Why?

[bradenrikli]

This is way too much work to eat... like im tired just watching this video why would i wanna deal with this

[velse]

@00:43

or go to KBBQ spot that cleans their exhaust hoods. That’s disgusting

[nakaye]

Ok question I’m thinking about going to a Korean bbq with my friends and is it necessary that we have alcohol bc we’ll be underage we’re all 20 but still not at the legal drinking age

[cheshire_skatkat]

I'm slightly confused about the lettuce wraps...so just meat and sauce? No other stuff?

[justicejoycetv]

@2:50 *Buzzfeed guy says it’s the youngest that serves everyone. Isn’t he Korean?*

[sminky_]

You lost me at "Ask for a clean grill"

[guerralg]

Im in no way trying to insult anyone BUT Barbecue is not even from Texas, Missouri, or Tennessee it's Mexican/Spanish called Barbacoa. So what Korean BBQ really is is Grilling, however i Don't care if they call it Barbecue and i do like KBBQ but please dont try to sound like its on par with Barbecue from America, because Barbacoa is specific to Coals and aromatic types of wood and usually on a Spit. Korean BBQ is more like Argentine Parrillada, which means grilling.

[jawary]

I love banchan so much the servers get mad… I thought it was ayce call me rude lol