Korean barbecue dishes offer an explosion of flavors, from beef, pork, chicken or fish smoked over coals to an array of spicy, sweet, tangy and crunchy elements - making Korean BBQ one of the world's most intriguing cuisines while remaining accessible and manageable for even novice chefs.
Korean barbecue is a culinary hybrid, fusing the flavors and techniques from both American Southern cooking with authentic ingredients from Asia. This creates an experience both elegant and familiar - both characteristics which result in a dish which tastes absolutely delectable!
Kimchi Smoke of New Jersey offers gourmet Korean BBQ with two locations that specialize in producing it, offering an assortment of meats - including brisket, pastrami, and ribs - smoked over wood-burning firepits or smokers. Their pitmaster Robert Austin Cho is an expert smoker who draws upon both his Southern roots as well as working alongside legendary barbecue chefs Aaron Franklin and Edward Lee when developing his techniques for smoking meats.
Cho's wood-burning smoker in his kitchen also allows him to make delicious kimchi. Smoking helps temper its spicy kick and create silkier textures; perfect for topping burgers or hot dogs or adding into chili or soup dishes; an ingredient popular at his restaurants and many homes across the region.
Classic Korean tableside condiments add an explosion of flavors to every meal, from pickled radish (ssam-mu, or namul) served alongside Korean BBQ to pickled radish available at most Korean grocery stores and can even be easily made at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Korean Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim or Geranjajim) is another tableside favorite that's increasingly becoming more and more popular as an accompaniment for Korean BBQ dishes. This creamy pudding-like treat features salty, savory, and slightly sweet notes for the perfect contrast with some spicy dishes from Korea BBQ restaurants.
Cucumber (oi) - Cucumber sticks offer a light and refreshing break from the rich flavors found in some Korean BBQ dishes, making for a healthy alternative snack or can even be dunked in Ssamjang sauce for an added burst of tanginess.
Preparation is key for an enjoyable Korean BBQ night. Begin by marinating any required cuts of meat ahead of time (if applicable) and setting out all of the banchan and dipping sauces before starting to grill - that way, you can sit back and watch as everything comes together before diving right in to eating once everything's ready!