Monday's Bread Bowl: Kalbi

Short ribs that make your tastebuds tingle

Beef short ribs that are seasoned in a sweet soy sauce-based marinade and then grilled are called kalbi (or galbi) in Korea. Other main ingredients include garlic, sugar, green onions, and (sometimes) pepper paste, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and rice wine. Several different sweet components may be used, such as honey, lemon-lime soda, or pureed apples. There are different variations; however, the outcome is always sweet with a strong soy sauce flavor. The short ribs are sometimes deboned and other times served flanken style. Kalbi (usually the deboned version) is served at Korean restaurants with lettuce leaves, raw garlic, hot bean paste, sliced fresh green pepper, and steamed rice. The meat and other accompaniments are then rolled like a burrito inside the lettuce leaves. At some Korean restaurants, you can get the experience of cooking the ribs at your table. The seasoned beef arrives raw and the server will assist in grilling the kalbi pieces for everyone at the table.