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HomeAsian FoodLA Galbi (Korean BBQ Quick Ribs) – Candy, Savory, and Completely Grilled

LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Quick Ribs) – Candy, Savory, and Completely Grilled


LA Galbi (Korean BBQ quick ribs) is considered one of my favourite Korean BBQ dishes – smoky, savory, and candy in all the proper methods. These skinny beef ribs are sliced flanken-style throughout the bone, which helps them absorb the marinade and grill up quick with caramelized edges.

I didn’t develop up consuming LA galbi – my mother by no means made it – so I solely found it proper earlier than I left Korea, about 20 years in the past. On the time, I saved seeing it on restaurant menus and assumed it was simply conventional galbi made with imported beef from Los Angeles. Seems, the magic is within the minimize. As soon as I attempted it, I used to be hooked – and now it’s considered one of my go-to BBQ recipes, particularly after I need huge taste with minimal fuss.

Grilled LA galbi on a black plate set on a wooden board, served with lettuce, kimchi, ssamjang, and a bowl of white rice

What Is LA Galbi?

LA galbi (엘에이 갈비) is a Korean BBQ dish made out of beef quick ribs which can be minimize throughout the bone, somewhat than alongside it like conventional Korean galbi. This flanken-style minimize creates skinny strips with three small cross-sections of bone, making the meat faster to marinate and sooner to prepare dinner.

It’s generally believed that LA galbi originated with Korean immigrants in Los Angeles who tailored conventional galbi to go well with the native butchering model – therefore the title “LA” galbi. One other idea means that “LA” refers back to the phrase lateral, describing how the ribs are sliced. Both method, this dish has grow to be a Korean BBQ favourite, each in Korea and overseas.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

LA Galbi is daring, candy, and only a contact salty – the type that makes you return for another piece… after which one other. 🙂 And actually? A part of the enjoyment is within the expertise: consuming together with your palms, licking the sauce off your fingers, and getting somewhat messy. That’s what makes it so enjoyable – and so satisfying.

As soon as it’s marinated, the meat cooks up quick – whether or not you’re grilling outside or utilizing your oven broiler. It’s tender, juicy, and filled with that wealthy, sweet-savory taste all of us love in Korean BBQ. It’s additionally nice for gatherings or meal prep – you may simply double the batch, and the ribs freeze superbly proper within the marinade.

LA galbi served on a rectangular Korean plate, garnished with crushed pine nutsLA galbi served on a rectangular Korean plate, garnished with crushed pine nuts

What You’ll Want

  • 800g / 1.8 lb LA galbi (Korean-style BBQ quick ribs) – Accessible at Korean grocery shops or Korean butchers.
  • 6 Tbsp common soy sauce (I exploit Kikkoman.)
  • 3 1/2 Tbsp darkish brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp candy rice wine (mirin)
  • 70g / 2.5 oz apple (cored) – Royal Gala, Fuji, or Pink Girl work nicely. When you’ve got Korean or Nashi pear as a substitute, they’re even higher for sweetness and tenderizing – simply peel and take away the seeds earlier than utilizing.
  • 70g / 2.5 oz onion
  • 1/2 kiwi (seed space eliminated), about 40g / 1.4 oz
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 tsp minced ginger
  • Just a few sprinkles of floor black pepper

* 1 Tbsp = 15 ml

** Need to study extra about Korean pantry staples? Take a look at my Important Korean Components Checklist for extra ideas!

The way to Make LA Galbi

1. Verify the ribs for any sinew (the silvery membrane) or thick edge fats, and trim it off for a cleaner chew and higher texture. A bit marbling is nice – simply keep away from the powerful or chewy bits.

Then soak the meat in chilly water for 15 to half-hour to assist draw out extra blood and impurities. Change the water a couple of times throughout this time, particularly if it turns into cloudy otherwise you discover fats rising to the floor.

Soaking LA galbi short ribs in cold water to remove excess blood before marinatingSoaking LA galbi short ribs in cold water to remove excess blood before marinating

2. In the meantime, add all of the marinade elements to a blender and mix till clean.

Blending LA galbi marinade ingredients in a blenderBlending LA galbi marinade ingredients in a blender

3. After soaking, pat the ribs dry completely with kitchen paper and place them in a big sealable container. Pour the marinade straight over the meat, then use your palms (sporting food-safe gloves) to softly toss and coat every bit evenly proper within the container. As soon as the meat is nicely coated, seal the lid and refrigerate.

Marinating Korean short ribs for LA galbi in a large glass dishMarinating Korean short ribs for LA galbi in a large glass dish

4. Refrigerate the marinated meat for 12 to 24 hours, turning it a couple of times throughout that point to make sure even absorption. This prolonged marination permits the enzymes from elements like pear, apple, or onion to softly break down the meat fibers whereas infusing each layer with deep, savory-sweet taste. The longer relaxation makes a noticeable distinction in each tenderness and complexity.

5. Take the meat out of the fridge about 15 to half-hour earlier than cooking to convey it nearer to room temperature.

Korean short ribs marinated overnight for LA galbiKorean short ribs marinated overnight for LA galbi

6. Cook dinner the ribs on a BBQ grill, in a skillet, or within the oven over medium-high warmth. Grill each side till properly caramelized and cooked to your liking – it often takes 2 to three minutes per aspect.

LA galbi grilling over a wavy cast iron plate, sizzling and caramelizing on the surfaceLA galbi grilling over a wavy cast iron plate, sizzling and caramelizing on the surface

7. For a of entirety, garnish the ribs with chopped inexperienced onions, toasted sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of crushed pine nuts. Serve with a bowl of heat rice, some kimchi, crisp lettuce leaves, and a spoonful of ssamjang (Korean BBQ dipping sauce) on the aspect—good for wrapping all the things up into one scrumptious chew.

Holding grilled LA galbi in lettuce wrap, ready to eatHolding grilled LA galbi in lettuce wrap, ready to eat

My Finest Cooking Suggestions

I really like cooking LA galbi within the oven – it’s hands-off, straightforward to scrub up, and ideal whenever you’re making a much bigger batch. I exploit the grill (broil) perform.

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) with the grill/broil setting on, and let it warmth for about 5 minutes. Then place the marinated ribs on a wire rack set over a tray to catch any drips. In the event you’re not utilizing a rack, you should utilize a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil – simply be aware that this methodology could create a slight “boiling” impact from the marinade pooling on the tray.

Cook dinner the ribs for two to three minutes on both sides, or till properly browned and caramelized. As a result of LA galbi is thinly sliced, it cooks quick – so hold an in depth eye on it to forestall overcooking or burning.

As soon as the meat is off the warmth, it cools quick and the floor could look barely dry – that’s simply the protein setting because it cools. Don’t fear, it’ll nonetheless be tender and juicy inside. In the event you’re not serving them straight away, loosely cowl with foil to assist retain warmth and moisture.

LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Quick Ribs) – Candy, Savory, and Completely GrilledLA Galbi (Korean BBQ Quick Ribs) – Candy, Savory, and Completely Grilled

Bonus Tip: How Michelin Cooks Make Quick Ribs Additional Tender

I haven’t examined this methodology myself, however I’ve seen some Michelin-starred cooks use sous vide to take quick ribs to the subsequent degree. Their course of usually begins with a fast sear over excessive warmth, adopted by marinating the meat in a container. After that, they switch it to a vacuum-sealed bag (with out an excessive amount of extra marinade) and prepare dinner it low and gradual at round 60°C (140°F) for as much as 12 hours. This appears to assist gently break down the collagen and switch the meat meltingly tender. A ultimate high-heat grill—only one minute per aspect—provides that impossible to resist, smoky char.

When you’ve got a sous vide machine at house, this might be a enjoyable method to attempt alongside the normal methodology!

Extra Korean BBQ Recipes to Strive

  • Korean Pork BBQ – Juicy pork slices marinated in a candy and savory sauce, then grilled to perfection – easy, daring, and so satisfying
  • Hen Bulgogi – Tender hen marinated in a light-weight, garlicky soy-based sauce – good for grilling or pan-cooking whenever you need one thing fast and flavorful.
  • Beef Bulgogi – Thinly sliced beef in a candy and savory marinade, grilled or stir-fried for that basic Korean BBQ taste everybody loves.
  • Grilled Gochujang Hen – Smoky, spicy, and just a bit bit candy – this gochujang-glazed grilled hen delivers severe taste with minimal effort.
LA Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs) | MyKoreanKitchen.comLA Galbi (Korean BBQ Short Ribs) | MyKoreanKitchen.com
  • Verify the ribs for any sinew (the silvery membrane) or thick edge fats, and trim it off for a cleaner chew and higher texture. A bit marbling is nice – simply keep away from the powerful or chewy bits.Then soak the meat in chilly water for 15 to half-hour to assist draw out extra blood and impurities. Change the water a couple of times throughout this time, particularly if it turns into cloudy otherwise you discover fats rising to the floor.
  • In the meantime, add all of the marinade elements to a blender and mix till clean.

  • After soaking, pat the ribs dry completely with kitchen paper and place them in a big sealable container. Pour the marinade straight over the meat, then use your palms (sporting food-safe gloves) to softly toss and coat every bit evenly proper within the container. As soon as the meat is nicely coated, seal the lid and refrigerate.

  • Refrigerate the marinated meat for 12 to 24 hours, turning it a couple of times throughout that point to make sure even absorption. This prolonged marination permits the enzymes from elements like pear, apple, or onion to softly break down the meat fibers whereas infusing each layer with deep, savory-sweet taste. The longer relaxation makes a noticeable distinction in each tenderness and complexity.

  • Take the meat out of the fridge about 15 to half-hour earlier than cooking to convey it nearer to room temperature.

  • Cook dinner the ribs on a BBQ grill, in a skillet, or within the oven over medium-high warmth. Grill each side till properly caramelized and cooked to your liking — it often takes 2 to three minutes per aspect.

  • For a of entirety, garnish the ribs with chopped inexperienced onions, toasted sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of crushed pine nuts. Serve with a bowl of heat rice, some kimchi, crisp lettuce leaves, and a spoonful of ssamjang (Korean BBQ dipping sauce) on the aspect—good for wrapping all the things up into one scrumptious chew.

Energy: 857kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 32g | Fats: 72g | Saturated Fats: 31g | Ldl cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 1861mg | Potassium: 570mg | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 4.1mg

The vitamin data proven is an estimate offered by an internet vitamin calculator. It shouldn’t be thought-about an alternative to an expert nutritionist’s recommendation.

I really like listening to the way you went with my recipes! Fee this recipe with a remark beneath and tag me on Instagram @MyKoreanKitchen.



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