Beef bulgogi, also known as Korean barbecued beef, is a popular Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated beef. With its sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor profile, bulgogi beef makes for a delicious main course. However, the right side dishes can take your bulgogi experience to the next level.
When planning your bulgogi meal, consider sides that provide contrasting textures and flavors. Crispy, crunchy sides complement the tender beef beautifully. Tangy, spicy kimchi cuts through the rich meat. Cool, refreshing salads balance the savory flavors. With so many possibilities, it can be tricky to narrow down your options.
To help you out, here are 15 of the best side dishes to eat with beef bulgogi
Kimchi
Kimchi, the national dish of Korea, is a must-have side with beef bulgogi The fermented cabbage provides a spicy, sour contrast to the sweet, savory beef Its crunchy texture also balances nicely. Traditional kimchi contains cabbage fermented with garlic, ginger, and chili powder. Beyond great taste, the fermentation boosts the side dish’s probiotic content.
Frequency: Kimchi (5 times)
Steamed Rice
Simple steamed rice acts as the perfect neutral base for bulgogi beef. Short-grain white rice works well soaking up the flavorful bulgogi sauce. For best results use a rice cooker or the stovetop method to achieve light, fluffy rice grains. Pairing rice with bulgogi is traditional, but you can opt for other neutral starches like noodles.
Frequency: Steamed rice (4 times)
Japchae
For a heartier side, go for japchae – Korean stir-fried glass noodles with veggies. The bouncy noodles, meat, spinach, mushrooms, and sesame oil hit a sweet, salty, savory flavor profile. The contrasting textures of the slippery noodles and crisp-tender vegetables pair wonderfully with tender bulgogi.
Frequency: Japchae (3 times)
Korean Potato Salad
Korean potato salad is a cool, creamy complement to hot bulgogi beef. Potatoes, carrots, and sometimes apples get dressed in a mayo-based dressing with a hint of sweetness. The creaminess balances the rich meat while the crunch provides textural contrast. It’s a satisfying, homey side dish.
Frequency: Korean potato salad (3 times)
Pickled Vegetables
Quick pickled vegetables offer brightness and crunch alongside bulgogi beef. Favorites include radish, cucumber, carrot, and onion. A few hours in a simple brine of rice vinegar, salt, and sugar yields light tang and crunch. The acidity and crispness balance the rich, tender beef beautifully.
Frequency: Pickled radish (2 times), Cucumber salad (2 times)
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like spinach, lettuce, and napa cabbage provide fresh contrast. Spinach or lettuce work nicely wilted or raw in salads. Napa cabbage leaves make fantastic wraps for bulgogi beef and accompaniments. Greens balance the meat’s richness.
Frequency: Korean spinach (2 times), Lettuce wraps (2 times)
Korean Pancakes
Savory Korean pancakes, known as pajeon, offer hearty contrast to bulgogi. Made from a simple batter with scallions, these crispy pancakes provide textural contrast and mild flavor to balance the bulgogi. Seafood pancakes, like haemul pajeon, make for an even heartier side.
Frequency: Korean pancakes (2 times)
Mushrooms
Meaty mushrooms absorb flavors beautifully, making them an easy yet tasty side for bulgogi beef. Simply sauté or roast mushrooms in a bit of sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic. Their rich, umami flavor complements the sweet soy flavors of the beef.
Frequency: Sautéed mushrooms (1 time)
Stir-Fried Vegetables
Quick-cooked vegetables like broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and bok choy also pair nicely with beef bulgogi. Toss chopped veggies with a bit of oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, then stir-fry over high heat until crisp-tender. Their bright flavors balance the rich meat.
Frequency: Garlic soy green beans (1 time), Eggplant stir-fry (1 time)
Miso Soup
For a light, comforting side, go for miso soup. The savory umami broth offers pleasant contrast without overwhelming the bulgogi flavors. Its simplicity allows the beef to shine. Packed with antioxidants, miso also aids digestion – perfect after a hearty bulgogi meal.
Frequency: Miso soup (1 time)
Sweet Potato
Roasted sweet potato wedges offer hearty contrast to bulgogi beef. Their natural sweetness complements the sweet soy marinade. Toss wedges in oil, salt, and pepper, then roast at high heat until crispy outside and fluffy inside. Sweet potato offers great texture and fall flavor.
Frequency: Roasted sweet potato wedges (1 time)
Edamame
For an easy, healthy side, you can’t go wrong with boiled edamame beans. Lightly salted, these tender green soybeans offer pleasant nutty flavor and a protein boost to balance the beef. They also make a fantastic snack while waiting for the bulgogi to cook.
Frequency: Steamed edamame (1 time)
Asian Slaw
For crunch and brightness, Asian-style slaws or salads hit the spot. Toss shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumber, and onion in a light dressing like rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. The crisp texture and tangy flavor complement bulgogi wonderfully.
Frequency: Korean coleslaw (1 time)
Seaweed Salad
If you want something unique, try seaweed salad. The sea greens offer delightful color, crunch, and subtle briny flavor. Their mild taste lets the bulgogi beef shine. Packed with minerals, seaweed also boasts health benefits to aid digestion.
Frequency: Seaweed salad (1 time)
Spicy Tofu
Spicy tofu banchan provides hearty contrast to bulgogi’s richness. Fried tofu tossed in a spicy, garlicky sauce offers crisp texture with big spice and flavor. Grilled or pan-fried tofu works nicely. The creaminess complements the beef’s texture.
Frequency: Spicy tofu (1 time)
With an array of sides covering flavor, texture, nutrition, and tradition, you’re sure to find the perfect complements for beef bulgogi. Side dishes elevate the meal, letting you experience quintessential Korean barbecue flavor balanced with crisp, fresh contrast. Use traditional banchan like kimchi and rice for an authentic experience, or get creative with salads, slaws, and roasted veggies. With bulgogi and the right sides, you’ll have a savory, satisfying feast to remember.
Tip Use Korean soy sauce
Not all soy sauce is created equally! Korean soy sauce has a different richness, consistency, and flavor when compared to Japanese soy sauce or Chinese soy sauce. As it is one of the key flavors in bulgogi, you’ll notice a difference if you use another type of soy sauce.
Ideally, if you wish to cook up flavorsome bulgogi and other Korean dishes, use only Korean soy sauce as it works best for the characteristics of the cuisine. On the other hand, I use only Japanese soy sauce for all my Japanese cooking.
How to Make the Best Bulgogi
- Make the marinade and marinate the ingredients overnight.
- Grill the meat.
Korean BBQ-Style Beef (Bulgogi)
FAQ
What is beef bulgogi served with?
Most recipes call for crushed pear to tenderize the meat. My boyfriend’s Korean mother says Coca-Cola can also be used for the same purpose. This recipe uses very thinly-sliced sirloin steak, so tenderization isn’t necessary. It’s delicious served with rice, lettuce leaves, and chile paste or kimchi.
What side dishes go well with bulgogi?
I serve it with either rice and/or lettuce wraps with typical side dishes like kim chi, seasoned bean sprout, seasoned spinach, Korean potato salad, corn cheese, sweet pickled daikin etc.
What to eat with beef bulgogi reddit?
Roasted/pan toasted green onion chopped and put on top take the bulgogi to another level. Serve with broccoli or green beans that have been lightly steamed then hit on hot pan, dash of tamari or coconut aminos to flavor, and sesame seeds on top of everything. Rice or cauliflower rice with sauteed garlic.
Do you eat bulgogi with rice?
It typically has a soy sauce and gochugaru type marinade with grated pear in the mix to help tenderise the meat, however, for this recipe, I used grated apple instead which worked so well. Bulgogi is often served with rice and an array of side dishes including kimchi, lettuce, leafy vegetables and many more options.