31 May 2016
Blog, food, Korean BBQ
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Enjoying Korean BBQ as a Vegan

vegan

Enjoying Korean BBQ as a Vegan

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Who said that you cannot have your own Korean BBQ feast if you are a vegan? You may not be eating any form of meat and dairy, but that does not mean that you are automatically excluded from all things delicious and fun that only a typical Korean BBQ meal can provide. Here are some tips on how you can prepare and enjoy your vegan-style Korean BBQ:

Enjoy your fill of vegetable banchans

You already know by now that Korean BBQ meals always have those tasty banchans on the side. Given that Korean cuisine always emphasizes balance in all of its meals, expect that there will be lot of vegetable-based banchans to rule the dining table. Have your fill of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, radish, peppers, cucumbers, mushrooms and eggplant. And of course, how can we even forget tofu which is considered by many as a great substitute for meat!

Have fun grilling your vegetables

If you are worried that you will not really be able to enjoy a Korean BBQ as a vegan because you won’t be able to grill cuts of meat, then you’re mistaken! Pumpkins and eggplants are just two vegetables that are commonly found in a lot of Korean meals that just taste so great when grilled. On top of that, you can also grill to perfection peppers, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and even mushrooms. Do not hesitate to experiment!

Host your own vegan Korean BBQ party!

Now that you know that you can actually enjoy Korean BBQ despite being a vegan, then why don’t throw your own Korean BBQ feast at home? It’s time to make use of that portable skillet or set up your own Korean BBQ grill. Marinate all those mushrooms, extra firm tofu and some vegetables of your choice. Cook some rice and prepare some kimchi and radish salad on the side. Or perhaps you fancy making some vegan kimbab and pancakes as additional banchans? And lastly, invite everyone to grill the vegetables and enjoy everyone’s company. Wow, we’re confident that this is just one perfect vegan Korean BBQ experience.

Have you tried a vegan Korean BBQ feast before? Share your experience with us! And if you want to bring authentic Korean BBQ to your home, then Korean BBQ Online has your back. Contact us today so we can serve you!

30 Apr 2016
Blog, food, Korean BBQ
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Korean Pastes Feature: Doenjang, Gochujang, Ssamjang

ssamjang

Korean Pastes Feature: Doenjang, Gochujang, Ssamjang

Korean pastes are common staples in Korean cuisine because they just take almost any Korean dish to another level, particularly in terms of flavour. You might have seen these tubs of Korean pastes in supermarkets before but you have no idea what they are and what they are for. Today we are going to break it down for you by featuring three Korean pastes that we’re sure you’ll be hooked on anytime soon:

1. Doenjang 된장

doenjang

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This Korean paste is made out of soybeans and is brown in color. If you are looking for a comparison, then think of miso in Japanese cuisine. The distinguishing characteristic of doenjang is that it has a bolder, more savoury and rustic taste when compared to miso. This soybean paste is often used to enrich the flavour of soups, season vegetables and meat, spice up rice, or mix with other Korean pastes. If you are looking for a healthier version of dips for your seasoned vegetables, then doenjang is just awesome.

2. Gochujang 고추장

gochujang

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Those who prefer to add some spiciness and a little bit of sweetness to their meals will like gochujang. This pepper-based Korean paste just has the right level of spiciness – not too mild, not too overwhelming.  Marinades, dips, soups, meat, stews, rice and other Korean food get a notch in terms of delectability when you put in spoonfuls of gochujang. Bibimbap, which is considered the national rice dish of Korea, often has gochujang. But before you go and buy that tub of gochujang, it would be helpful if you taste it first just so you can determine if its spiciness is to your liking.

3. Ssamjang 쌈장

ssamjang

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If you are looking for a Korean paste that is the ultimate bomb, then ssamjang is going to be your best friend. Ssamjang is basically gochujang and doenjang combined, with some sesame, garlic and other lovely ingredients in between that just make it have that texture that is almost similar to that of a peanut butter. You might have seen ssamjang before in your lettuce wraps, and if that’s the case, then don’t you agree that it made your ssam taste way better? This Korean paste has captured the palates of Koreans and foreigners alike that some even eat ssamjang straight out of the tub! This sauce is definitely a great dip for your meats and vegetables.

Which among these three Korean pastes are your favourite? And just in case you don’t know yet, Korean BBQ Online delivers ssamjang and other Korean BBQ sides and sauces to your doorstep. Contact us today so we can help making your Korean BBQ meals more flavourful and memorable!

23 Apr 2016
Blog, food, Korean BBQ
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Korean BBQ Equipment Essentials

stove

Korean BBQ Equipment Essentials

We understand your excitement to bring the Korean BBQ experience finally to your house. Imagine being able to host Korean BBQ lunches and dinners with your family and friends regardless of any occasion. The relationships that will be built, the conversations that will be exchanged, and the memories that will be made all because of the delicious Korean BBQ feast that you hosted – they’re just priceless! For today’s article we are providing you with the basic Korean BBQ equipment essentials that you must have so you can finally get started in your authentic and fun home-based Korean BBQ experience:

1. Scissors and tongs

Add Mediasicssors

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Using scissors will make your life easier when it comes to cutting and portioning the Korean BBQ meats. Westerners might find it odd at first to use scissors when cutting the meats, but scissors gets the job done more easily when you have the cut the meat from the hotplate or grill. Tongs are of course used in putting the meat onto the grill, so make sure you that have this tool.

2. Hotplate

hotplate

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Hotplates are perfect if you want to do your Korean BBQ at the comforts of your own house. Too much smoke during BBQ sessions won’t be a problem anymore because hotplates particularly address this issue. Invest on a high-quality hot plate today by ordering it through Korean BBQ Online.

3. Stove/grill

stove

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Purchasing a portable gas stove that will go with your hotplate will ensure that you have an appropriate heat source. Those who prefer to use grills for their Korean BBQ feasts will of course be needing charcoal. Get your Korean BBQ action started by ordering your gas stove from Korean BBQ Online today. We also have round charcoal BBQ grills that you can conveniently order online.

4. Fuel

charcoal

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There are a wide range of gas canisters that you can purchase out there to serve as your source of fuel for your Korean BBQ escapades. Most of these gas canisters are often placed alongside gas burners and stoves in a lot of Asian grocery stores. On the other hand, quality charcoals are needed for those who prefer to grill their meats on charcoal grills. Fortunately, you do not need to search far because Korean BBQ Online delivers quality charcoal straight to your doorstep.

5. Chopsticks

chopsticks

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Should we even expound on this further? Stock on some high-quality chopsticks or jeokkarak so you can enjoy the communal eating experience that Korean BBQ delivers. Korean chopsticks are usually made out of stainless steel whereas Chinese and Japanese chopsticks are made out of wood. Now you know the basic difference!

Korean BBQ Online is here to assist you with your Korean BBQ needs. Contact us today so you’ll find out why we are Sydney’s best!

16 Apr 2016
Blog, food, Korean BBQ
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5 Tips in Marinating Your Korean BBQ Meat

Korean-Pork-Marinade

5 Tips in Marinating Your Korean BBQ Meat

The process of marinating your Korean BBQ meats is an important step in your Korean BBQ preparations. Marinades help in making your meats tender and getting a more enriched flavour, so it is crucial for the process of marinating to be done right. If you are new to marinating meats in general, then you are reading the right article right now. Here are our 5 tips that should help you marinate your Korean BBQ meats like a pro:

Korean-Pork-Marinade

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1. Mind your marinade to meat ratio

Marinades are expected to seep in to the innermost portions of the meat, so make marinades that are thin in consistency. A typical marinade-to-meat ration is half a cup of marinade for every pound of meat. This rule is not set in stone though because you can obviously use a bit more marinade than the prescribed amount.

2. Mind the temperature

Perhaps you’ve read in some recipes that you should marinate your meats at room temperature. The danger of following this advice is that the bacteria on the meat can quickly multiply in warm environments. That said, we suggest that you marinate in an environment where the temperature is cold to avoid the risk of food contamination. An example is to marinate your Korean BBQ meats in your refrigerator.

3. Mind the containers you marinate your meats in

Given that most Korean BBQ marinades are acidic in nature, then do not marinate your meats in a metal container because acids react with metal. Instead of using metallic containers, we recommend that you use glass containers or plastic bags. Marinating your meats in a re-sealable plastic bag where all of the air is blocked out will allow your meats to get soaked completely into the marinade.

4. Mind the length of time to marinate your meats

The cut, type, and size of the BBQ meats that you have will affect the length of time it takes to marinate them. Pork, beef and lamb usually take two to four hours, or sometimes even overnight. This also applies to poultry like chicken. Also, it is not true that a meat’s shelf life will get extended simply because you marinated it.

5. Mind how you use your marinades

Never use marinades that have been unused to avoid food contamination. You can also prepare two batches of marinade for your uncooked and cooked meats. If in case that you do need to use some of the marinade that you have used on the uncooked meats, then you can always boil your marinade for at least six minutes to kill all the unwanted bacteria.

Are your Korean BBQ meats for your marinades ready? Check out Korean BBQ Online today because we offer a lot of non-marinated meat choices that will surely go well with your marinade. We hope to serve you soon!

12 Apr 2016
Blog, food, Korean BBQ
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5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Korean BBQ

rice

5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Korean BBQ

You may have heard or read a lot about Korean BBQ already, or perhaps you’ve already spent some of your most memorable lunches and dinners in a Korean BBQ restaurant. However, there might still be a few things that you do not know about Korean BBQ. Not convinced? Well, allow us to dish out 5 facts that might just make you fall in love with Korean BBQ goodness even more:

gogigi

 

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1. Let’s have Gogigui!

Koreans call Korean BBQ as gogigui, which when translated to English means “roasting meat”. So impress your Korean loved ones and friends next time when you invite them to a Korean BBQ feast at your house next time. You now have a brand new term for Korean BBQ to use!

bibimbap

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2. Korean BBQ is all about balance

One of the best characteristics of Korean BBQ is the way it emphasizes balance. A typical Korean BBQ meal set, for example, might appear heavy on meat, but then you will eventually notice the vegetable banchans that are served on the side. Another example is that in traditional Korean cuisine, pork is considered as a “cold” food even though it is hot when you eat it. To balance out the taste, people then add some “hot” ingredients like chilli or even chives to spice up the flavour.

banchan

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3. The amount of banchans served reflects status symbol

Korean BBQ meals are not complete without banchans, those delectable side dishes that range from brussels sprouts to tofu. According to a lot of Korean foodies, the number of banchans served in a typical meal emphasizes the status symbol shared among the meal partakers. If you will get an experience in a lifetime and have a Korean BBQ meal with an ambassador or dignitary, then expect more than 20 banchans to be served on your table. There are some reports that say that a Korean meal with a king would entail at least 100 banchans. Imagine seeing that many side dishes? A Korean BBQ lunch or dinner with your boss or with the parents of your future spouse or wife would usually require more than five.

rice

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4. Rice paper wraps are in!

Of course we are well too familiar with shiso and lettuce leaves as the ones we use as wraps whenever we eat our delicious serving of samgyeopsal. However, there’s an emerging trend lately where Korean BBQ diners use rice paper as their preferred wrap for their Korean BBQ meat. If you want to try something new with the way you eat your Korean BBQ, then give rice paper wraps a try and see how it will suit you!

korean_barbecue_tofu_bowl_recipe

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5. Vegetarian Korean BBQ

So you do not eat meat? Don’t fret because vegetarians like you can still enjoy the awesomeness of Korean BBQ without having the need to down those pieces of grilled pork and beef. How does grilled eggplants, squash, potatoes, peppers and other types of vegetables sound to you? Fresh vegetables are also often served as side dishes in a typical Korean BBQ meal so being a vegetarian should not stop you from enjoying the communal joy and satisfaction that a Korean BBQ experience delivers.

Do you have other uncommon Korean BBQ facts that you wish us to know? Spill them all below. As always, Korean BBQ Online is here to address all of your Korean BBQ needs. Give us call or shoot us an email today so we can help you achieve the best Korean BBQ experience ever.

05 Apr 2016
Blog, food, Korean BBQ, Meat
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3 things to consider when you cook meat Korean BBQ Style

cut

3 Things to Consider When You Cook Meat Korean BBQ-style

Meat lovers surely do enjoy partaking in Korean BBQ feasts, and they can’t be blamed for it given the amount of pork bellies and beef ribs that are involved in the process. But that doesn’t automatically mean that we all know everything that there is when it comes to cooking meat the Korean BBQ way. For today’s article we have compiled three things that everyone should pay attention to when grilling meat in a typical Korean BBQ feast. Aren’t we all for saving time and making sure that our Korean BBQ meats taste so fantastically awesome?

1. Consider the cut

cut

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Traditional Korean cuts are served in thicker chunks and will take longer time to cook. On the other hand, LA-style cuts are usually thinly sliced. It is always recommended that you start cooking the thinly sliced meats, particularly bulgogi, because they obviously cook faster. Also, good cuts make up for best-tasting meat. For example, an outstanding cut of beef is the secret to having a savoury serving of bulgogi. If you don’t have the budget to purchase premium cuts of meat, then just look for marbled beef or those that have high visibility white flecks of fat to have more tender pieces of meat.

2. Consider the marinade

marinade

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If you prepare your marinade well and you marinate your BBQ meats properly, then expect a tremendous heap of praise from your Korean BBQ feast peers. Typical ingredients for a Korean BBQ marinade are soy sauce, water, onions, garlic, and sugar. But of course you can experiment and do your own secret marinades to impress your loved ones’ foodie hearts. The length of time to marinate the meat depends on how thick the meat is. Three to four hours is enough for meats that are 4-5 mm thick. Any cut of meat that is thicker than 5 mm will usually take 6 hours or more (sometimes, even overnight). Thinly sliced meats that must be marinated overnight would often require a marinade that has equal parts soy sauce and water.

3. Consider the smoke

smoke

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Korean BBQ is definitely a fun communal experience, but smoke coming from the BBQ grill can be bothersome for many. Although a lot of people believe that grilling over charcoal produces the best-tasting meats, too much inhalation of charcoal smoke can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, there are hot plates with portable gas stoves that are available that will make your Korean BBQ feasts still fun but without the smoke.

Do you have other tips to share to everyone when cooking meat the Korean BBQ way? Post them as comments below. Don’t forget to check out Korean BBQ Online today, your best source of top-quality Korean BBQ meats and equipment in Sydney!

29 Dec 2015
food, how to, Korean BBQ
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Eating samgyeopsal like a pro

samgyeobsal wrapping

Eating samgyeopsal like a pro

Samgyeopsal is one of those pork belly dishes that you will almost always see in any Korean BBQ feast. What can we say – Koreans love their pork so much! The cuts for this meat are much thicker and are often served uncooked and unmarinated. This means that you will be doing all of the grilling and portioning of the cuts into smaller pieces so that they will be cooked evenly and thoroughly. That said, be prepared for all the smoke that will follow because it’s all part of the Korean BBQ fun!

Another delightful thing when ordering samgyeopsal is the variety of colorful side dishes and dipping sauces that will come with it. Kimchi, peppers, mushrooms, garlic, onions, ginger, lettuce, ssamjang, gireumjang – you name it. You’ll really be in for some gastronomic treat!

Once you’ve done your part in the cutting, flipping and grilling of the meat, then it’s time to eat the product of your labor. Don’t go fast in grabbing those chopsticks now because we will brief you on how to best eat samgyeopsal. Here are some basic steps on how you can eat samgyeopsal like a Korean:

  1. Take a piece of your lettuce or of the vegetable leaf that you prefer.
  2. Get a portion of your grilled meat, dip it in your preferred dipping sauce (i.e., gireumjang), and then put it on your leaf.
  3. Add the sides that were served to you depending on your preference. Ssamjang, kimchi, grilled vegetables, rice, mushrooms… the floor is yours!
  4. Once you’re done stuffing your leaf, you roll the leaf up just like a burrito and then eat the entire thing in one go.

And that’s it! Just some delicious explosion in your mouth right then and there thanks to samgyeopsal.

If you wish to enjoy samgyeopsal right at the comforts of your own home, then always remember that Korean BBQ Online is here to deliver.

How about you? How do you eat your samgyeopsal?