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Korean BBQ for Beginners: How to Eat Korean BBQ Like a Local

 

Korean BBQ restaurant experience in Seoul South Korea


Korean BBQ for Beginners: How to Eat Korean BBQ Like a Local

JAY's Tips for Your First Korean BBQ Experience

If you're visiting Korea, there's one food experience you really shouldn't miss.

If you're planning your first trip to Seoul, check out my guide to the best things to do in Seoul.(guide to the best things to do in Seoul >>)

Korean BBQ.

You sit around a table.

The meat arrives.

A grill is placed in the middle of the table.

And then...

you cook your own meat.

It sounds simple.

But if you've never experienced Korean BBQ before, you might have a few questions.

What should I order?

How do I cook the meat?

Why are there so many little dishes?

Where are the chopsticks?

And why is everyone cutting meat with scissors?

Don't worry.

JAY is here to help.

Korean BBQ meat grilling on a table in Korea

🥩 What Is Korean BBQ?

Korean BBQ is more than just grilled meat.

It's a social dining experience.

Instead of having your food completely prepared in the kitchen, the meat is often cooked directly at your table.

Depending on the restaurant, you may grill:

  • Pork belly
  • Beef
  • Pork ribs
  • Marinated beef
  • Chicken
  • Other cuts of meat

You can cook the meat yourself or, at some restaurants, the staff may help you.

The best part?

You don't have to eat everything at once.

Cook a few pieces.

Eat them.

Talk.

Cook some more.

Order another side dish.

Have a drink.

That's part of the experience.


Looking for more Korean travel ideas? Check out my Seoul travel guide before planning your trip.(Seoul travel guide >>)


Cutting Korean BBQ With Scissors

✂️ 1. JAY's Tip: Koreans Cut Meat With Scissors

This might be the first thing that surprises you.

Koreans often use kitchen scissors to cut grilled meat.

If you're from another country, you might look at this and think:

"Wait... are those scissors?"

Yes.

They are.

😂

For Koreans, this is completely normal.

Once the meat starts cooking, large pieces can be difficult to eat.

So instead of using a knife and cutting board, the staff or diners simply use scissors to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.

It's actually incredibly convenient.

JAY's Tip

Don't be afraid to try it.

It might look strange at first.

But after a few minutes, you may start thinking:

"Why doesn't every country do this?"

Korean restaurant table drawer with spoons and chopsticks

🥢 2. Where Are the Chopsticks and Utensils?

Here's another thing that can confuse first-time visitors.

You look around the table...

No chopsticks.

No spoon.

No fork.

No napkins.

Don't panic.

Look beside or underneath the table.

Many Korean restaurants have a small drawer built into the side of the table.

Open it.

You'll often find:

  • Spoons
  • Chopsticks
  • Forks
  • Napkins
  • Tissues

Everything you need may be hiding right next to you.

JAY's Tip

Before asking a staff member for utensils...

Check the table first.

You might discover your own little Korean restaurant survival kit.

Korean banchan side dishes served with Korean BBQ

🥬 3. Korean Side Dishes Are Usually Free

One of the best things about Korean restaurants is the side dishes.

You'll often receive several small dishes called banchan.

They can include things like:

  • Kimchi
  • Pickled vegetables
  • Seasoned bean sprouts
  • Potato salad
  • Seaweed
  • Other seasonal side dishes

And here's something that may surprise you.

Many restaurants provide basic side dishes at no additional charge.

If you finish something, you can usually ask for more.

Water is also commonly provided free of charge.

However, restaurant policies can vary, so don't assume every single restaurant works exactly the same way.

JAY's Tip

If you're not sure whether something is free, just ask:

"Is this free?"

Easy.

Service bell on a Korean restaurant table

🔔 4. How Do I Call the Staff?

At some Korean restaurants, you might notice a little button on the table.

Press it.

That's your restaurant superpower.

😂

It's usually a service bell that lets the staff know you need assistance.

You can use it when you want to:

  • Order more food
  • Ask for water
  • Request more side dishes
  • Ask for the bill
  • Get help with the grill

Don't see a button?

No problem.

Just raise your hand and politely get the staff's attention.

Korean restaurants can get busy, so don't worry if someone doesn't come immediately.

Grilled Korean pork belly samgyeopsal

🥓 5. What Should You Order?

This is probably the hardest question for a first-time visitor.

There are so many choices.

If you're eating Korean BBQ for the first time, I'd recommend starting with something simple.

🥩 Beef

Beef can be a great introduction to Korean BBQ.

Depending on the restaurant, you may find different cuts and marinades.

🥓 Samgyeopsal

Samgyeopsal is Korean pork belly.

It's one of the most popular Korean BBQ dishes.

You grill the thick slices until they're nicely cooked, then eat them with various side dishes and sauces.

If you're new to Korean food...

this is a very safe place to start.

Sliced Korean jokbal braised pig feet

🐷 6. JAY's Recommendation: Jokbal

Now here's something a little different.

Jokbal.

Jokbal is braised pig's feet served in slices.

It's not technically the same as grilling meat at the table, but it's a classic Korean pork dish that I recommend trying during your Korean food adventure.

It's often served with side dishes and dipping sauces.

If you like rich, savory flavors...

give it a try.

Korean BBQ meat wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang

🔥 7. JAY's Korean BBQ Rule

Here's my personal rule.

Don't cook everything at once.

Cook a small amount.

Eat it while it's hot.

Then cook more.

Why?

Because Korean BBQ is supposed to be enjoyed slowly.

You're not just eating meat.

You're talking.

You're drinking.

You're trying different side dishes.

You're making lettuce wraps.

You're experimenting with sauces.

It's a social experience.

🥬 8. Try a Korean BBQ Lettuce Wrap

One of my favorite ways to eat Korean BBQ is to make a ssam.

Take a lettuce leaf.

Add some grilled meat.

Add a little ssamjang.

Maybe some garlic.

Add kimchi if you like.

Wrap everything together.

Then...

eat it in one bite.

Don't make the wrap too big.

Unless you're prepared for a serious challenge. 😂

🥢 9. Don't Be Afraid of the Side Dishes

Try different combinations.

Meat + kimchi.

Meat + garlic.

Meat + ssamjang.

Meat + pickled vegetables.

Meat wrapped in lettuce.

There isn't always one "correct" way to eat it.

Experiment.

Find your favorite combination.

That's part of the fun.

⭐ JAY's Korean BBQ Checklist

Before you leave the restaurant, here's your checklist.

✔️ Try cutting meat with scissors

✔️ Check the table drawer for utensils

✔️ Try several banchan

✔️ Make a lettuce wrap

✔️ Try samgyeopsal

✔️ Try something you've never eaten before

✔️ Don't cook too much meat at once

✔️ Take your time

And most importantly...

Have fun.


🇰🇷 Korean BBQ Isn't Just Food

This is probably the most important thing I want you to understand.

Korean BBQ isn't simply:

"Go to a restaurant and eat grilled meat."

It's a social experience.

It's friends sitting around a table.

It's family dinners.

It's coworkers eating together after work.

It's cooking food together.

It's sharing side dishes.

It's talking while the meat is sizzling in front of you.

That's why I think Korean BBQ is one of the best ways to experience Korean culture through food.

You don't just eat Korean BBQ.

You participate in it.

And that's what makes it special.



If you want to experience more of everyday Korean life, check out my guide to the Han River.(guide to the Han River>>)

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