How to Host a Korean BBQ Party

As we come into the warmer months, we are starting to enjoy the alfresco dining and having barbecues. Switch it up from the usual this summer and add some Korean style dishes for the perfect barbecue party! The preparation required and mixture of flavours may seem complex, but it is far easier to recreate this cuisine at home than you think. The most crucial step to create the best Korean barbecue is the marinade, and that couldn’t be simpler!

Popular Barbecue Dishes

Bulgogi is perhaps the most well-known Korean barbecue dish; a marinated meat dish made with thin slices of beef, usually rib-eye. This barbecue beef dish should definitely make an appearance at your Korean barbecue party as it is a crowd pleaser. Barbeque beef short ribs are tender and succulent with a mixture of sweet and savoury marinade. These ribs are caramelised on the outside making this mouth-watering dish incredibly popular. The marinating is essential, and they should sit in the sauce for at least six to eight hours to get them oozing with flavour. Spicy grilled shrimp skewers are a great addition to a Korean barbecue party; it is nice to have some fish as well as meat so there is variety. This dish is easy to prepare and quick to cook so it is perfect for a party. The main ingredient for these shrimp skewers is gochujang, this is Korean red chilli pepper paste. Add this to the marinade to create a totally different and delicious taste. This dish is a blend of savoury, peppery, slightly sweet, and spicy. For a truly authentic experience, make some spicy Korean pork for your barbecue party. If you like a kick of spice, this dish is perfect! The pork is marinated in Korean chilli flakes and chilli paste – the fiery punch from the meat blends beautifully with the smoky barbecue flavours. This dish is best served in a lettuce wrap and is a great addition to a barbecue. Alternatively, you could introduce your friends to Korean chicken wings. These wings are coated in a sweet and salty, yet spicy sticky sauce. This dish is a great way to get everyone addicted to the incredible flavours of Korean cuisine.

Add Some Sides

Korean egg roll is a popular Korean side dish; it is savoury and slightly salty. You can make this dish just using egg and a pinch of salt, but you can also incorporate some other ingredients. Popular ingredients to include are peppers, carrots, ham, roasted seaweed, tuna etc. A nice summery addition to a barbecue is a cucumber salad. The salad is spicy, slightly sweet and tangy, creating a heavenly side dish. A lovely addition to a Korean barbecue is some coleslaw. There is no mayonnaise involved in this coleslaw; instead it is a blend of cabbage, chilli flakes, fish sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil. This side dish is a mixture of spicy, sweet, tangy and also crunchy. Additionally, every Korean barbecue needs some rice to go with all the meat. There are plenty of variations to choose from, but some plain rice should be on offer to your guest as everyone is sure to enjoy this! Another option is to make some fried rice with vegetables so there is some variety for your guests.

Don’t Forget the Drinks

Drinks are an essential part to any barbecue party. For your Korean barbecue, carry on the traditional cuisine and have some Korean drinks to accompany the flavoursome food! Korean rice wine (makgeolli) is arguably one of the most common alcohols in Korea. For a summery twist, incorporate makgeolli into some fruity cocktails. One recipe we believe would be perfect for a Korean barbecue party is ‘Cherry Mak and Tonic’. All you need is cherries, makgeolli, tonic water and ice – blend it all up to create a bittersweet and sour cocktail! Soju is another alcohol that is loved by many in Korea and there are plenty of recipes to choose from that include soju. Watermelon is a very summery fruit and is delicious in a cocktail; all you need is watermelon, soju and ice. The great thing about this cocktail is that you hollow the watermelon and then you can use the watermelon shell as the serving dish – no waste! It’s sweet, cold, and very refreshing, perfect for a barbecue party! Want some more cocktail ideas? Check out these Crazy Korean Cocktails To Enjoy This Summer . Has this inspired you to host your own Korean barbecue party? If so, we know it can be difficult to find Korean food in the UK but our online supermarket should have everything you need to cook some delicious barbecue food and throw the perfect party.