Bulgogi (불고기), a popular Korean dish, is loved for its sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. It’s a versatile dish with countless variations across Korea and Japan.
Today, I want to share a Japanese-inspired bulgogi recipe that I made recently. Despite being slightly customized for Japanese tastes, even my Korean boyfriend couldn’t stop praising how delicious it was!
Ingredients
- Vegetables
- ½ carrot
- 4 thin green onions
- ½ onion
- Beef
- 400g
- Seasonings
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp sake (rice wine)
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp sugar
How to make
1. Marinate the Beef
Combine all the seasonings in a zip-lock bag and massage them into the beef. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Vegetables
Slice the onion, carrot, and green onions. (If you have garlic chives, I highly recommend adding them for extra flavor.)
3. Cook the Vegetables
Heat some oil in a frying pan and stir-fry the vegetables until they start to soften.
4. Add the Beef
Once the vegetables are tender, add the marinated beef to the pan. Stir-fry everything together until the beef is fully cooked.
5. Adjust the Seasoning
Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and about seven shakes of umami seasoning (like Ajinomoto) to adjust the taste to your liking.
6. Plate and Garnish
Serve the bulgogi on a plate, sprinkle some white sesame seeds on top, and enjoy!
The sweet and spicy flavors pair perfectly with a bowl of hot rice. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that’s great for any occasion.
If you’re a fan of Korean food, give this recipe a try! It’s a fusion that brings out the best of both Korean and Japanese flavors. 😊
Let me know how it turns out if you try it!