What is the Difference Between Japanese and Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ and Japanese BBQ are two different methods of grilling meat and vegetables in Korean and Japanese cuisine. Although both share similarities, like being cooked on a grill at the dining table, they also have several differences that make each method unique.

What is the difference between Japanese and Korean BBQ? Korean BBQ grills marinated meats and comes with various side dishes, while Japanese BBQ grills unmarinated meats and often include raw vegetables to be grilled alongside the meat.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Japanese BBQ
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Korean BBQ
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Japanese and Korean BBQ
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Japanese and Korean BBQ
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Japanese and Korean BBQ
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Japanese BBQ, Korean BBQ

What is Japanese BBQ

There are many types of BBQ in Japanese cuisine. One traditional type is called Irori, which is a sunken stone hearth that used to be found in homes. People would gather around it and grill local ingredients together. These days, you’ll only see Irori in special restaurants. It is considered a luxury experience. Another style is Robatayaki, which comes from ancient fishermen in Hokkaido. They grilled fish using charcoal (called binchotan) while still out on their boats, using stone or wood boxes.

The most popular and widely known type of Japanese BBQ is Yakiniku. This style became popular in the 1960s and was inspired by Korean immigrants who began selling grilled meat in Japan. Over time, the style was adapted and became a favorite.

In Yakiniku, the meat is usually not marinated before cooking. Instead, the focus is on the natural taste of high-quality meat. Diners cook the meat themselves on small grills at the table and enjoy it with dipping sauces, which are often sweet soy, citrusy, or spicy. 

What is Korean BBQ

Korean BBQ, also called KBBQ, is the Korean way of grilling. The meat is usually marinated in flavorful sauces like soy sauce, sesame oil, or spicy gochujang before it’s grilled. In many Korean BBQ restaurants, there’s a small grill built into the table, so you cook the meat yourself while eating. They also offer various small side dishes, called banchan. These can include kimchi, seasoned vegetables, rice, and green onion salad. They are served in little bowls and are often refilled during the meal.

The main part of Korean BBQ is the meat. You can choose beef, pork, or chicken, and pick the cut you like. Pork belly (samgyeopsal) is a popular choice. You grill the meat, flip it with chopsticks, and cut it into bite-sized pieces with scissors. Once the meat is ready, you can make a ssam—this means wrapping the meat in lettuce or perilla leaves with some vegetables and dipping it in a special sauce called ssamjang.

Popular Korean BBQ Dishes

1. Bulgogi – Thinly sliced marinated beef with soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and sometimes fruit like pear or kiwi to tenderize.
2. Galbi – Beef short ribs marinated in a sweet soy sauce mixture, often grilled over charcoal for extra flavor.
3. Jumulleok – Juicy steak or duck slices marinated with sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Dwaeji Bulgogi – Spicy pork marinated in gochujang (Korean chili paste) and chili powder—rich and flavorful.
5. Chadolbaegi – Very thinly sliced beef brisket, not marinated, cooked super quickly on the grill.
6. Samgyeopsal – Thick cuts of unsalted pork belly—fatty, tender, and very popular in Korea.

Similarities Between Japanese and Korean BBQ

• Both Japanese and Korean BBQ are cooked right at the table.
• They use thin cuts of meat that cook quickly on the grill.
• Both offer dipping sauces on the side to add flavor to grilled meat.

Difference Between Japanese and Korean BBQ

Definition

• Japanese BBQ is a style of cooking or grilling meat, which is often served with dipping sauces and vegetables, whereas Korean BBQ is a style of cooking where diners grill their own meat at the table, often accompanied by a variety of side dishes like kimchi, rice, and vegetables.

Meat Preparation

• In Japanese BBQ, the meat is usually not marinated before cooking, but in Korean BBQ, the meat is often marinated in sauces.

Flavor Focus

• Japanese BBQ focuses on the natural taste of the meat, whereas Korean BBQ highlights bold flavors that come from marinating the meat.

Side Dishes

• In Japanese BBQ, diners grill raw vegetables alongside the meat. Korean BBQ comes with many small side dishes called banchan, like kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and rice.

FAQ: Japanese and Korean BBQ

1. What is the difference between Japanese yakiniku and Korean BBQ?

The main difference is that Japanese yakiniku usually uses plain, high-quality meat with dipping sauces served on the side, while Korean BBQ often uses marinated meat and comes with many small side dishes called banchan.

2. What makes Korean BBQ different?

Korean BBQ is different because the meat is often marinated before grilling. It comes with many side dishes (called banchan) like kimchi, vegetables, and sauces. You also cook the meat right at the table.

3. What is the Japanese version of Korean barbecue?

The Japanese version of Korean barbecue is Yakiniku. It involves grilling small pieces of meat, usually beef, on a charcoal grill. Unlike Korean BBQ, the meat in Yakiniku does not undergo marination.

4. What is the most expensive BBQ in the world?

​The world’s most expensive barbecue grill is the Beefeater Gold-Plated Barbeque Grill, and its value was approximately $164,000.

Reference:

1. “What is Korean BBQ?” MasterClass.com.
2. “An Introduction of Japanese BBQ.” Jittiusa. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Korean barbecue-Grill and banchan” By suksim – originally posted to Flickr as 횡계 한우 1 (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Raw Meat And Vegetable On Grill Pot” (CC0) via Pexels.com.