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Galbi | Traditional Beef Dish From South Korea, East Asia | TasteAtlas

Galbi

(Kalbi, 갈비)

Galbi or kalbi refers to a variety of grilled beef short ribs dishes popular in South Korea. The ribs are marinated in a sweet sauce consisting of soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, and garlic. Although the name of the dish translates to ribs, chicken or pork meat can also be used.


The dish originates from 18th-century Korea, when killing cows was strictly forbidden. As workers were building the Hwa Castle, they needed to be well-fed, so King Jeongjo allowed the opening of only one slaughterhouse in the whole country to process beef and feed the hungry workers.


Of course, it didn't stop at just one slaughterhouse, and that is the best recommendation for trying the dish for yourself. Galbi is typically accompanied by kimchi, red bean paste or rice, but it can also be wrapped up in lettuce leaves with a variety of other vegetables.


Due to galbi's great balance of sweet and savory flavors and rising popularity, the dish even has its own annual festival since 1995, called the Suwon Galbi Festival, offering the visitors a chance to indulge in this celebrated delicacy.

Recipe variations

  • 4.4

    So-Kalbi-Gui

    READY IN 4h

    This classic recipe for grilled beef ribs was adapted from the official site of the Korea Tourism Organization, Visitkorea.or.kr. The meat is marinated in two different seasoning sauces, grilled over a charcoal fire, and sprinkled with pine nuts powder before serving.

  • n/a

    LA Galbi

    READY IN 24h 10min

    The following recipe shows how to make a US rendition of the Korean grill classic. The main difference is that the meat for LA galbi is cut across the bone, and the marinade contains soda which helps tenderize the meat.

Galbi Authentic recipe

PREP 3h 50min
COOK 10min
READY IN 4h

This classic recipe for grilled beef ribs was adapted from the official site of the Korea Tourism Organization, Visitkorea.or.kr. The meat is marinated in two different seasoning sauces, grilled over a charcoal fire, and sprinkled with pine nuts powder before serving.

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