Barbecue! The searing heat of open flames, the tantalizing sizzle of cooking meat, the rising smoke that tells you that piece of beef has been on the grill just a bit too long. It’s iconic, it’s perfect for summer, it’s…happening in the middle of your table?
Wait, what?
These marinated scraps of short ribs and sirloin may be cooked on a charcoal grill, but that grill’s on your table and the meat’s managed with chopsticks. This ‘cue isn’t American, it’s Korean, and it’s causing quite a stir in cities all over the country. What started as a niche party dish in Korean districts and homes has grown into a gourmet trend, and even wine bars like Chicagoland’s Flight now serve some permutation of Korean-style BBQ.
The most popular form of Korean barbecue, known as “gal bi” or “kalbi,” consists of beef short ribs