Korean barbecue is the meal most visitors remember, and it is easy once you know the rhythm: you order raw meat by weight, grill it at your own table, and wrap each bite in lettuce with garlic, sauce, and sides. Staff often help with the grilling. This guide covers the cuts to know, how to order, and the etiquette. Pair it with the broader what-to-eat guide.
The cuts to know
- Samgyeopsal — thick pork belly, the default and most popular order.
- Moksal — pork shoulder, leaner than belly.
- Galbi — marinated beef or pork short rib, sweeter and richer.
- Chadolbaegi — thin-sliced brisket that cooks in seconds.
How to order
Meat is usually sold per portion (often 150–200g) with a two-serving minimum. Order one or two cuts to start and add more as you go. Sides, lettuce, and dipping sauces come with the meal.
Useful phrases at a barbecue restaurant
Polite phrases for ordering, asking for refills, and paying.
Meat is sold per portion, usually with a two-serving minimum.
Polite삼겹살 이인분 주세요
sam-gyeop-sal i-in-bun ju-se-yo
Two servings of pork belly, please.
Korean audio isn't available on this device or browser — use the romanization above to say it.
Banchan (side dishes) are refilled for free — just ask.
Polite반찬 더 주세요
ban-chan deo ju-se-yo
More side dishes, please.
Korean audio isn't available on this device or browser — use the romanization above to say it.
Say this when you're ready to pay, usually at the counter.
Polite계산해 주세요
gye-san-hae ju-se-yo
Check, please.
Korean audio isn't available on this device or browser — use the romanization above to say it.
How the grilling works
The grill heats at your table. Lay the meat out, turn it once it releases easily, and cut it with the scissors provided. Wrap a piece in lettuce with garlic, a dab of ssamjang, and a side, and eat it in one bite. Staff will often swap the grill plate when it chars.
What it costs
Barbecue is a shared, sit-down meal, so the bill adds up with cuts, drinks, and extras. It is one of the pricier everyday meals but easy to share.
Etiquette at the table
The youngest or host often grills and pours drinks. Pour for others, receive with two hands, and do not refill your own glass first. It is normal to share everything in the middle.
Sources
- Visit KoreaOfficial tourism site
- Korea Tourism Organization English TourAPIOfficial API
Information is compiled from official sources. Details such as prices, hours, and schedules can change — confirm time-sensitive facts before you travel.
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