Bulgogi, a signature Korean dish, features thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory-sweet sauce. Grilled or stir-fried, it boasts tender texture and rich flavor. Marinated with soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic, it’s often served with rice or wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic and ssamjang sauce for a deliciously interactive dining experience.
Do you speak Korean?
| Alex: Hey! I heard you talking about bulgogi the other day. What is it? | 알렉스: 안녕하세요! 지난번에 불고기에 대해 이야기하는 걸 들었어요. 불고기가 뭐예요? | Alex: Annyeonghaseyo! Jinanbeone bulgogi-e daehae iyagihaneun geol deuleosseoyo. Bulgogi-ga mwoyeyo? |
| Soojin: Bulgogi is a popular Korean dish. It’s marinated beef that’s grilled or stir-fried. | 수진: 불고기는 인기 있는 한국 요리예요. 양념한 소고기를 구우거나 볶아서 만들어요. | Soojin: Bulgogi-neun ingi issneun hanguk yori-eyeyo. Yangnyeomhan sogogi-reul guugeona bokkwaeseo mandeureoyo. |
| Alex: That sounds delicious. What kind of marinade is used? | 알렉스: 맛있겠네요. 어떤 양념을 사용하나요? | Alex: Mas-issgetneyo. Eotteon yangnyeomeul sayonghanayo? |
| Soojin: The marinade usually includes soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and sometimes pear juice for sweetness. | 수진: 양념에는 보통 간장, 설탕, 참기름, 마늘, 그리고 때로는 단맛을 위해 배즙이 들어가요. | Soojin: Yangnyeomeun botong ganjang, seoltang, chamgireum, maneul, geurigo ttaeroeneun danmat-eul wihae baejeup-i deul-eogayo. |
| Alex: Wow, that sounds flavorful. Is it usually spicy? | 알렉스: 와, 맛이 아주 풍부할 것 같아요. 보통 매운가요? | Alex: Wa, mas-i ajoo pungbuhal geos gat-ayo. Botong ma-eungayo? |
| Soojin: Not really. It’s more sweet and savory, but you can add some spice if you like. | 수진: 그렇진 않아요. 더 달고 짭짤한 맛이에요. 원하면 매운 맛을 추가할 수 있어요. | Soojin: Geuleohjin anhayo. Deo dalggo jjapjjalhan mas-i-eyo. Wonhamyeon ma-eun mas-eul chugbhal su iss-eoyo. |
| Alex: How do you usually eat bulgogi? | 알렉스: 불고기는 보통 어떻게 먹어요? | Alex: Bulgogi-neun botong eotteohge meog-eoyo? |
| Soojin: We often eat it with rice and side dishes. You can also wrap it in lettuce leaves with some garlic and ssamjang, which is a Korean dipping sauce. | 수진: 주로 밥과 반찬과 함께 먹어요. 상추에 마늘과 쌈장과 함께 싸서 먹기도 해요. | Soojin: Juro babgwa banchan-gwa hamkke meog-eoyo. Sangchu-e maneul-gwa ssamjang-gwa hamkke ssaseo meog-ineun-do haeyo. |
| Alex: That sounds amazing. Is it hard to make at home? | 알렉스: 정말 맛있을 것 같아요. 집에서 만들기 어렵나요? | Alex: Jeongmal mas-iss-eul geos gat-ayo. Jib-eseo mandeulgi eoleobnayo? |
| Soojin: Not at all! It’s pretty simple once you have the ingredients. Marinate the beef for a few hours, then cook it quickly over high heat. | 수진: 전혀요! 재료만 있으면 아주 간단해요. 소고기를 몇 시간 동안 양념에 재운 후, 센 불에서 빠르게 요리하면 돼요. | Soojin: Jeonhyeo-yo! Jaelyo manh-eumyeon ajoo gandanhaeyo. Sogogi-reul myeoch sigan dong-an yangnyeom-e jeonhwang-e jab-eun hu, sen bul-eseo bbaleuge yolihamyeon doe-yo. |
| Alex: I’ll have to try making it. Thanks for the info! | 알렉스: 한번 만들어봐야겠어요. 정보 고마워요! | Alex: Hanbeon mandeul-eobwayagess-eoyo. Ilnopun gomawoyo! |
| Soojin: You’re welcome! Let me know how it turns out. | 수진: 천만에요! 어떻게 나왔는지 알려주세요. | Soojin: Cheonmaneyo! Eotteohge nawassneunjido allyeojuseyo. |