Galbi (grilled short ribs)
Meat dishes
Beef or pork rib meat, grilled either plain or after soaking in a sweet soy marinade, then wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves.
Why this list cannot be complete
Many Korean restaurants are franchises whose recipes are not published, and shops create their own versions of the same dish. A menu name often does not tell you what is inside. This page covers the traditional recipe and the variations that have spread widely, not every shop.
When you are not sure what a shop puts in, show your card to say what you cannot eat, or show the list below and ask the staff to point to what is in theirs.
What usually goes in
이 음식에 아래 재료 중 들어가는 것이 있나요?
For the staff: does this dish contain any of the ingredients below?
Galbi originally meant beef ribs, but pork ribs are now often called just galbi or charcoal galbi as well. Ask which meat it is.
Marinated galbi soaks in soy sauce, and even plain grilled ribs are wrapped with ssamjang or doenjang, both made from fermented soybeans.
Minced garlic goes into the marinade, and raw or grilled garlic cloves are tucked into the lettuce wraps as well.
Pork galbi made from pork ribs is also common and often goes by the same name, so ask which animal the ribs are from.
Sesame oil and sesame seeds go into the marinade for seasoned galbi. Plain saeng-galbi is often dipped in gireumjang, the sesame oil and salt dip that barbecue restaurants commonly serve.
Onion is listed among the marinade ingredients along with pear juice, which softens the meat before grilling.
Any wheat in galbi would come through the soy sauce marinade, since soy sauce brands differ on whether roasted wheat goes into the brew.
Cheese back ribs come with melted mozzarella for the pork ribs.
Seasoned galbi often has grated pear or pear juice in the marinade to tenderize the meat. It is marinated in advance, so it is hard to leave out when you order.
Some recipes also add grated apple or apple juice to the marinade.
Seasoned galbi such as LA galbi sometimes has grated kiwi in the marinade to tenderize the meat.
- Usually in it
- Most kitchens put this in. Assume it is there unless the staff tell you otherwise.
- Sometimes in it
- It depends on the recipe and the brand of sauce, so it is worth asking.
- Rarely in it
- The usual recipe does not call for it, but some kitchens still use it.
Checked 11 of the 33 ingredients this site covers. An ingredient that is not listed here has simply not been checked yet — that is not the same as it not being in the dish.
This page describes how the dish is usually made in Korea. Every kitchen works differently, so always show your card and ask the staff before you order.
Going on your card
- Beef (쇠고기)
- Soybean (대두)
- Garlic (마늘)
- Pork (돼지고기)
- Sesame (참깨)
- Onion (양파)
- Wheat (밀)
- Milk (우유)
- Asian pear (배)
- Apple (사과)
- Kiwi (키위)
Common variations
If you see one of these names on a menu, expect the ingredients below on top of the basic dish. Shops differ, so check with the staff.
- 돼지갈비Pork galbi
Adds: Pork (돼지고기)
Pork ribs replace beef ribs and are grilled after soaking in a soy marinade, and many places sign it only as galbi.
- 치즈등갈비Cheese pork back ribs
Adds: Milk (우유), Pork (돼지고기)
Spicy marinated pork back ribs are served with melted mozzarella cheese on top or on the side for dipping.
Diets
- VeganNot suitable
The dish is grilled rib meat.
- Lacto-ovo vegetarianNot suitable
The ribs are the whole dish; the lettuce and sides are what they are wrapped in.
- HalalAsk first
Pork galbi is common under the same name — confirm it is beef and ask where the meat comes from.
- No porkAsk first
Beef is usual, but pork galbi shares the name — ask for so-galbi (beef ribs).
Other dishes with the same ingredients
- BulgogiBeef · Soybean · Sesame · Garlic — Usually in it / Onion · Pork · Wheat · Asian pear · Apple · Kiwi — Sometimes in it
- Sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew)Soybean · Garlic · Onion — Usually in it / Pork · Beef · Sesame · Wheat · Milk — Sometimes in it
- BibimbapSoybean · Sesame · Garlic — Usually in it / Wheat · Beef · Onion · Asian pear — Sometimes in it
Read more
- Soy in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Beef in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Gluten-free travel in KoreaWhere wheat hides in sauces and broths
- Vegan dining in KoreaWhere meat and seafood hide in Korean cooking
- Emergency allergy help in KoreaWhat to do and say if a reaction starts
- Halal food in KoreaWhere pork, alcohol, and non-halal meat hide in Korean cooking
- Temple food and Buddhist vegetarian dining in KoreaWhere garlic, green onion, and other pungent vegetables hide
Sources we checked
Each finding on this page lists the recipes and references it is based on. Source titles appear in their original language and are not translated, and each link opens the other site in a new tab.
Show the 18 sources behind each finding
What usually goes in
Beef · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, 「갈비」 — 쇠갈비나 돼지갈비를 구운 것을 갈비라 부르기도 함 (opens in a new tab)
- 나무위키, 「갈비(고기)」 — 지금은 소갈비와 돼지갈비를 통틀어 갈비라 부름 (opens in a new tab)
- 나무위키, 「숯불갈비」 — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 모두 있음 (opens in a new tab)
Soybean · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
Garlic · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
Pork · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
Sesame · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
- 나무위키, 「기름장」 — 참기름에 소금, 삼겹살 · 소고기 · 갈비 구이에 대부분의 고깃집이 기본 제공 (opens in a new tab)
- 위키트리, 「고기 찍어 먹는 기름장」 — 참기름과 소금 (opens in a new tab)
Onion · Sometimes in it
Wheat · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Soy sauce" — made from soybeans and roasted grain; most Japanese soy sauces include wheat; tamari contains little or no wheat (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "Ganjang" — hansik ganjang is made entirely of meju and brine; gaeryang ganjang ferments soybean, soybean meal or other grains (opens in a new tab)
Milk · Sometimes in it
Asian pear · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「LA갈비 양념 황금레시피」 — 배 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「돼지갈비 황금레시피」 — 배 · 사과 (opens in a new tab)
Apple · Sometimes in it
Kiwi · Sometimes in it
Common variations
Diets
Vegan · Not suitable
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
Lacto-ovo vegetarian · Not suitable
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
Halal · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
No pork · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Galbi" — usually beef short ribs, also pork spare ribs; marinade of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, scallions, ginger, pepper, toasted sesame, sesame oil; saeng-galbi unmarinated, yangnyeom-galbi seasoned; wrapped in lettuce or perilla with ssamjang, garlic, doenjang and gochujang sauce (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "갈비구이" — 소갈비 · 돼지갈비 · 닭갈비가 흔함; 간장 · 소금 · 설탕 · 후추 · 참깨 · 양파 · 마늘 · 참기름 · 배즙 양념 (opens in a new tab)
Each dish is researched by hand from the sources we checked, and nothing here is generated automatically. Recipes vary from kitchen to kitchen, so always confirm with the staff before you order.