Korean Bbq Chicken: A Tasty Cultural Fusion

Korean BBQ chicken is a mouth-watering dish that combines sweet and savoury flavours with a spicy kick. This dish is perfect for those who enjoy their food full of heat and surprises. Korean BBQ chicken is not only delicious but also very easy to make. The chicken is usually grilled on skewers, but it can also be baked in the oven or cooked on a grill pan. The key to this dish is the sauce, which typically includes soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, and garlic. The chicken is brushed with this sauce and grilled to perfection. In Korean, BBQ is referred to as 바비큐 (romanised as barbecue), while chicken is 닭 (dak) or 닭고기 (dalgogi).

The word for chicken in Korean is 'dak'

The word for chicken in Korean is "dak" (닭). This word is used to describe the animal and certain chicken-based dishes. For example, if you see a live chicken, you would use the word "dak".

In Korean cuisine, chicken is used in various dishes, including grilled, braised, roasted, and fried chicken. Here are some popular Korean chicken dishes that use the word "dak":

• Dak-gal-bi (닭갈비): Grilled chicken dish with vegetables like green onions, sesame leaves, sweet potatoes, and kimchi.
• Dak-do-ri-tang (닭도리탕): Spicy chicken stew with onions, potatoes, and carrots.
• Dak-bal (닭발): Chicken feet, which can be ordered with or without bones and are usually spicy.
• Bul-dak (불닭): Literally translated as "fire chicken," this dish is served with heavy spices and is not for the faint of heart!
• Jjim-dak (찜닭): Braised chicken with noodles, potatoes, and sometimes hot peppers.
• Tong-dak (통닭): Fried whole chicken, which was very popular in the past.

Another word commonly used to refer to chicken in Korea is "chi-kin" (치킨), which specifically refers to fried chicken. Fried chicken is extremely popular in Korea and is often eaten with beer and side dishes like fermented radishes (chi-kin-mu, 치킨무).

So, if you want to impress your Korean friends or deepen your connection with Korean culture, learning these words for chicken is a great start!

The word for BBQ in Korean is '바비큐'

The word for BBQ in Korean is 바비큐. In Korea, BBQ usually refers to the act of grilling meat on skewers, either outdoors or on a grill built into the dining table in a restaurant. Korean BBQ sauce is often made with a combination of soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, and garlic. The sauce is brushed onto the meat as it grills, resulting in a delicious, finger-licking treat.

When it comes to Korean BBQ chicken, there are a few popular dishes to try. One option is 닭갈비 (dak-gal-bi), which is a chicken dish that is grilled in front of the customer. This dish often includes vegetables like green onions, sesame leaves, sweet potatoes, and kimchi. Another popular choice is 닭도리탕 (dak-do-ri-tang), a spicy chicken stew with onions, potatoes, and carrots. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try 닭발 (dak-bal), or chicken feet, which can be ordered with or without the bones.

Korean BBQ chicken can also be made at home. One recipe includes baking chicken drumsticks in the oven after coating them with a sauce made from soy sauce, Sriracha, garlic, ginger, honey, sesame oil, olive oil, and rice wine vinegar. The dish is then garnished with sesame seeds and cilantro, resulting in a sweet and sticky delight.

Korean BBQ chicken recipes

The word for BBQ chicken in Korean is 닭갈비 (dakgalbi). This term refers to a chicken dish that is grilled, often with vegetables such as green onions, sesame leaves, sweet potatoes, and kimchi.

Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers

This recipe is perfect for grilling outdoors and can be easily doubled to feed a crowd. The chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, and Asian five-spice, then brushed with a mouth-watering Korean BBQ sauce. The sauce is made by stirring together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, and garlic. Cornstarch and water are added to the sauce to thicken it. The chicken is skewered and grilled to perfection, and served over rice noodles with sliced green onions.

Baked Korean BBQ Chicken

This recipe is a variation of the above, with the option to bake the chicken instead of grilling it. The chicken is baked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit on a rimmed baking sheet for 12-16 minutes, with BBQ sauce reapplied 2-3 times during the baking period. It is suggested to serve this dish with steamed white rice, rice noodles, or a side salad.

Korean BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

This recipe uses a delicious sauce that can also be used as a marinade. The sauce is made by mixing soy sauce, Sriracha, garlic, ginger, honey, sesame oil, olive oil, and rice wine vinegar. The chicken drumsticks are baked in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes, brushed with the sauce, and garnished with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro.

Korean Chilli, Sesame & Honey Chicken

This recipe is perfect for a BBQ, with chicken skewers glazed in a sweet, spicy, and sticky sauce. The chicken is tossed in soy sauce, sesame oil, and grated ginger, then threaded onto metal skewers and chilled until ready to cook. The glaze is made with Korean chilli paste (gochujang) or a mixture of ketchup and Sriracha chilli sauce. The chicken is cooked on the BBQ for 5-8 minutes on each side, then the glaze is applied in layers, turning the skewers often. The dish is served with scattered spring onions.

How to make Korean BBQ chicken

The Korean word for chicken is "dalgogi" or "dak" and for BBQ is "bulgogi". Here is a recipe for Korean BBQ chicken:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons cold water + 2 teaspoons corn starch
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon Asian five spice (optional)
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• Steamed rice or cooked noodles for serving (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the BBQ sauce

Stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sriracha, and garlic in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil.

In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water, mixing until dissolved. Add this to the boiling sauce.

Remove the sauce from the heat and divide it evenly between two bowls. Save one for serving later.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

Slide the chicken pieces onto metal skewers or water-soaked wooden skewers.

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper to taste, and Asian five spice if desired.

Brush the Korean BBQ sauce over the chicken skewers from one of the half-bowls. Coat generously.

Step 3: Grill the chicken

Grill the chicken over medium heat for 8-10 minutes. Turn them occasionally and brush with the BBQ sauce after every turn.

Step 4: Serve

Take the chicken off the grill and serve over rice noodles with the reserved BBQ sauce and garnish with sliced green onions.

Tips:

If you don't have soy sauce or prefer teriyaki, you can use a thick teriyaki sauce like Kikkoman Teriyaki Takumi (purple label).

If you want to bake the chicken instead of grilling it, bake at 400 degrees on a rimmed baking sheet for 12-16 minutes, reapplying BBQ sauce on all sides 2-3 times during the baking period.

This chicken goes well with a side of steamed white rice, rice noodles, or a side salad.

If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in a pan of water for an hour or more before skewering the chicken to prevent them from burning.

Other serving suggestions:

• Chopped Asian Salad
• Roasted Veggie Medley
• Asian Spaghetti Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
• Asian Ramen Noodle Salad
• Asian Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Bibb lettuce for a low-carb option

What to serve Korean BBQ chicken with

Korean BBQ chicken is a delicious dish, often served with a variety of side dishes that complement the flavours of the chicken. Here are some ideas on what to serve with Korean BBQ chicken to elevate your dining experience:

Noodle Dishes

Noodle dishes are a great option to serve alongside Korean BBQ chicken. You can choose from a variety of noodle dishes, such as rice noodles, Asian ramen noodle salad, Hong Kong noodles, or cold soba noodles with a dipping sauce. These dishes provide a contrasting texture and flavour to the chicken, making for a well-rounded meal.

Salads and Vegetables

Chopped Asian salad, roasted vegetable medley, or a simple side salad are great options to accompany Korean BBQ chicken. If you're looking for something fresh and crunchy, a cucumber salad is a perfect choice. You can also try an Asian-inspired grilled corn on the cob or zucchini fritters for a unique twist. Pickled vegetables, such as radish, onions, or carrots, are also a great choice, adding a tangy and crunchy element to the meal.

Rice Dishes

Rice is a staple in many Asian cuisines, and it pairs well with Korean BBQ chicken. You can serve steamed white rice or jasmine rice to soak up the delicious flavours of the chicken. Fried rice is another excellent option, as it can be customised with various ingredients and adds a hearty element to the meal.

Korean Specialities

For a more authentic Korean experience, serve your BBQ chicken with traditional side dishes such as kimchi, the ever-popular fermented food that adds a tangy flavour to the meal. Other options include pajeori, a Korean green onion salad, or ssamjang, a spicy Korean BBQ dipping sauce. Pickled radish paper (ssam-mu) is another classic Korean side dish that pairs well with BBQ chicken, offering a sweet, tangy, and crunchy bite.

Other Sides

Some other side dishes that go well with Korean BBQ chicken include edamame, seaweed salad, garlic butter mushrooms, or steamed dumplings. If you're looking for something more substantial, Korean corn dogs or spring rolls are a fun and tasty option.

Frequently asked questions