Korean BBQ has always been a crowd favorite, with its rich flavors, tender meats, and flavorful side dishes that are perfect for get-togethers with family and friends. One thing that sets the experience apart is the variety of dipping sauces that various regions in Korea offer.
These dipping sauces are essential for enhancing the taste and texture of grilled meats. While there are countless options to choose from, we're here to help you learn more about the must-try Korean dipping sauces for your next BBQ feast.
Each sauce has a distinct taste profile, offering a balance of heat, sweetness, and savory richness that complements the smoky char of the grilled meats perfectly. Get ready to explore a whole new dimension of Korean BBQ by giving these tasty sauces a go.
Here’s a handful of must-try Korean sauces that offer a unique taste profile, balancing heat, sweetness, and savory richness that complement the smoky char of the grilled meats perfectly.
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♨️ Popular Korean BBQ Dishes
When you think of Korean BBQ, flavorful marinated meats grilled to perfection and served with an array of tasty sauces come to mind. Here are some popular Korean BBQ dishes that you'll definitely want to try.
🥩 Beef Dishes
Bulgogi
This classic dish features thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. The beef is then grilled, often with onions and mushrooms, and served with rice and lettuce wraps.
Enjoy bulgogi by wrapping a piece of meat and some vegetables in a lettuce leaf, and don't forget to add your favorite Korean BBQ dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
Galbi
Also known as LA galbi, this dish features Korean BBQ short ribs marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, onion, garlic, and sesame oil. The ribs are then grilled until tender and caramelized on the outside. You can also find non-beef versions, such as chicken and pork galbi.
🥓 Pork Dishes
Samgyeopsal
Samgyeopsal is a commonly favored meal that requires the grilling of thick, fresh pork belly slices on a tabletop grill, and it was actually my first ever Korean barbeque experience when I first moved to rural Korea.
While it's not marinated like other Korean BBQ meats, you can still enjoy it in a lettuce wrap with your choice of dipping sauces and sides.
Jeyuk Bokkeum
This spicy pork BBQ dish comes in the form of stir-fried pork marinated in a spicy chili pepper paste (gochujang) sauce. It's often served with rice, lettuce wraps, and various side dishes.
🍗 Chicken Dishes
Crispy KFC (Korean Fried Chicken)
Crispy KFC, or Korean Fried Chicken, is a popular dish in Korea that has gained worldwide recognition for its unique flavors and crispy texture. In Korea, fried chicken is often ordered as either boneless, all wing & drumsticks, or most commonly, as a whole chicken (including the neck!).
🥣 5 Essential Korean BBQ Sauces
1. Soy Sauce-Based Sauce
A simple yet flavorful condiment, a soy sauce-based sauce is an essential component of many Korean BBQ meals. For a tangy dipping sauce, try a soy sauce mixture. Prepare it by combining soy sauce, sugar, oil, vinegar, and water.
Start by whisking the liquids in a saucepan and bringing them to a boil. Next, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, add it to the boiling sauce, and reduce the heat. Cook until it thickens and serve with your choice of meat or vegetables.
2. Gochujang-Based Sauce
For those who enjoy some heat, a gochujang-based sauce is a must-try. This spicy, sweet sauce combines gochujang with ingredients like honey, garlic, and soy sauce. The result is a well-balanced flavor that compliments the smokiness of Korean BBQ.
You can customize the sauce to your preference by adjusting the level of gochujang for more or less heat. To make a gochujang BBQ sauce, you'll need gochujang (Korean red chili paste), soy sauce, sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, and sesame oil.
Optionally, you can also add bacon for an extra layer of flavor. Begin by cooking the bacon (if using) in a skillet. Then, combine the other ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Adjust the taste according to your preference.
3. Kyeoja (Mustard Vinegar Sauce)
Kyeoja, best described as mustard vinegar sauce, offers a tangy and refreshing flavor that pairs well with grilled meats. This simple sauce is made by combining Korean mustard powder, vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
The tanginess of kyeoja helps to cut through the richness of marinated meats, providing the perfect balance of flavors.
4. Ssamjang
One of the most popular Korean BBQ sauces is ssamjang. This sauce adds a rich, umami flavor to your barbecued meats, and is typically enjoyed as part of the lettuce wraps known as ssam. Just spread a bit of ssamjang onto a lettuce leaf, add your grilled meat, and wrap it all up for a delicious bite.
To make this delicious sauce, you'll need soybean paste (doenjang), gochujang, minced garlic, sesame oil, green onions, and optionally, honey or sugar for sweetness. Simply mix all the ingredients in a bowl, adjusting the balance between saltiness, heat, and sweetness to your liking.
5. Sesame Oil Dipping Sauce
Finally, a sesame oil dipping sauce is another essential Korean BBQ sauce. This straightforward dipping sauce is made by blending sesame oil, salt, and pepper. A sesame oil dipping sauce is perfect for those who prefer a simple yet flavorful condiment.
The nutty flavor of the sesame oil enhances the taste of your grilled meats without overpowering them, especially when using a toasted sesame oil.
Storing Homemade Korean Sauces
When you've made some delicious homemade Korean sauces for your BBQ, it's essential to store them properly to maintain their flavors and freshness, especially if you make them in large batches for regular enjoyment.
First, make sure to allow your sauces to cool down completely after being cooked, especially if they were prepared in a saucepan. Waiting for the sauces to reach room temperature before storing them helps prevent the growth of bacteria.
Once the sauces have cooled down, transfer them to an airtight container, like a glass jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Using an airtight container is crucial for preserving the flavors and preventing any odors from the refrigerator from affecting your sauce.
For homemade Korean BBQ sauces, storing them in the refrigerator is ideal. Most homemade BBQ sauces can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator, as long as they are tightly sealed.
Dressings with a vinegar or oil base, like my yuzu dressing, can sometimes last up to a month. But it is essential to keep an eye on any changes in odor, color, or consistency to determine when they are no longer safe to consume.
🙋🏼♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
At a Korean barbecue, you can typically find a variety of sauces such as ssamjang (a thick, spicy paste made from doenjang, gochujang, sesame oil, onion, garlic, green onions, and optionally brown sugar), gochujang (a savory, spicy, and pungent fermented Korean condiment made from red chili, glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, and salt), soy sauce-based dipping sauce, sesame oil with salt and pepper, and sometimes a sweet and tangy soy-based marinade for the meat. These sauces are used to enhance the flavor of the grilled meats and other dishes served at the barbecue.
Samgyupsal, a popular Korean grilled pork dish, is typically enjoyed with a variety of sauces and condiments. Common options include ssamjang, a thick and spicy paste made from fermented soybean and red chili paste, sesame oil with salt and pepper for dipping, and a simple soy sauce-based dipping sauce. These sauces are meant to complement the rich flavor of the grilled pork and enhance the overall dining experience.
Korean BBQ sauce is typically made with a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and often gochujang, a Korean chili paste. These ingredients come together to create a savory, slightly sweet, and spicy sauce that is commonly used for marinating or glazing grilled meats such as beef, pork, or chicken in Korean barbecue dishes. The specific proportions of these ingredients can vary based on personal preference and regional variations.
The best sauce for Korean barbecue is a matter of personal preference, but a popular option is ssamjang, a thick and spicy paste made from fermented soybean and red chili paste. Additionally, sesame oil with salt and pepper is often used for dipping. These sauces are designed to complement the flavors of the grilled meats and add a delightful depth of flavor to the overall dining experience. Ultimately, the best sauce for Korean barbecue is the one that suits your taste preferences.
📖 Recipe
5 KBBQ Dipping Sauces
Equipment
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Knife
- Chopping Board
- Spoon
- Blender
Ingredients
Instructions
- Choose a recipe that appeals to you.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Follow the instructions, then enjoy!
Sasha says
This was so good thanks
Max says
I'm glad you liked them; thank you for your comment!
Brick says
These were so helpful for our familt bbq thank u
Max says
My pleasure, Brick! I'm glad you and your family enjoyed them. 🙂