Bulgogi Marinade Recipe: You've Got ChoicesMost people experience Korean Bulgogi in a Korean Barbeque restaurant. It is typically served raw on a platter, and the guests cook the meat themselves using chopsticks over a hot grill in the middle of the dining table. Once the guest eats this dish, they wonder how they can repicate it in the comfort of their own home without having to find parking downtown somewhere in Korea Town. This guide intends to give you the breadth of what is possible within the scope of a true Bulgogi Marinade preparation. It should be known that it helps to live near a good Asian market with a real butcher. Not only will you have the benefit of getting herbs, spices, and sauces that normal American supermarkets probably don't carry, but you can buy the right cut of meat for what you are making. Korean short ribs are typically only found in an Asian market for instance. The Modular Bulgogi Marinade Recipe: Have Fun With Mixing and Matching!Bulgogi Korean Barbeque is all about mixing it up and not getting caught up in a rut. There are 6 main components to Bulgogi, and you get to choose a wide array of variations, so have fun with it! If you'd rather go with some exact recipes rather than the modular guide below, check out our sample Bulgogi Recipes. The 7 Mandatory Components Are:1- A protein such as Beef or Pork ...and then, a Marinade Preparation consisting of the following basic components that are roughly up to your interpretation: 2-Soy Sauce-- Soy sauce is one of the most important components of the bulgogi marinade because it is the medium in which all of the other ingredients will intermingle. There is a wide array of soy sauces available, and in the case of a marinade, it is sometimes worth spending a little more to get a richer flavor from your meat. Soy sauce is the component that compliments and enhances the unami flavor, or the savory flavor that makes bulgogi such a satisfying dish. 3-A Sweet Component-- For many it is enough to just include some refined sugar in the marinade mix. In my opinion, if you are spending the money on a nice tenderloin, might as well give that beautiful piece of meat the surroundings it deserves with some fresh fruit and perhaps a bit of regional honey you can get at a local farmer's market. There's no shame in using some sugar when you're in a pinch or in a hurry. 4-Oil-- Namely, sesame oil. Including sesame seeds is not uncommon. 5-Garlic-- Korean Bulgogi Marinade must have garlic. 6-Spicy Component-- Many recipes call for black pepper which typically goes best with a beef protein. Korean red chile paste from your local Asian market will also add a great deal of authenticity to your marinade. 7-Vinegar-- Vinegar is such a common ingredient in many Asian dishes, might as well get a good bottle of asian vinegar at your local Asian market. Getting the right vinegar is perhaps just as important as getting the right soy sauce. Recommended IngredientsThe above components are the bare necessities for a Korean bulgogi preparation marinade. Here are more components that you can use if you wish, and are highly recommended: 8-Ginger-- If desired, a bit of minced ginger can add a sweet and spicy kick to your bulgogi. 9-Chopped Onions-- Onions go well in any marinade, let's face it. 10-Rice Wine-- Many Korean Bulgogi Marinade recipes call for rice wine. This is another good reason to live near a good Asian market. A good Korean or Japanese cooking wine will not contain added salt. If you live in a dry state, you might have to just go to your State liquor store and get yourself a real rice wine. |
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