Galbi
also known as Kalbi, Korean Barbecued Beef Short Ribs
What is Galbi?
Galbi is a Korean dish that is an important part of Korean barbecue culture. It involves grilling of beef short ribs after marinating in a flavorful sweet and savory sauce.
- The word itself means ‘rib’ in Korean.
- If meats other than beef are used, then the name of the dish would be different.
The meat is tender and juicy and has a reddish brown color of roasted meat. It has a sweet and salty flavor from the mixture of mirin and sugar, plus soy sauce.
Some of the most popular Korean barbecue dishes include:
- Galbi
- Bulgogi
- Jeyuk Bokkeum
- Dwaeji Galbi
- Dak Bulgogi
- Samgyupsal Gui
- Maekjeok
- Grilled Gochujang Chicken
- Gochujang saewu gui
- Salmon Bulgogi
Origin of galbi
This dish is believed to have originated in the Gyeonggi-Do province of South Korea in the 1940s. Suwon had the largest cattle market in the country at the time, and several beef dishes were invented during that period. Galbi was first served in a restaurant called Hwachunok. Shortly after that, this short ribs dish began to gain popularity. Today, kalbi remains a staple in the world of Korean barbecue.
Nutrition
Nutritional profile for galbi (1 short rib/141 g):
High beef consumption can lead to diseases such as colon cancer, inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, macular degeneration, as well as infertility. However, if consumed in moderation, beef is a nutrient-dense food that increases the bioavailability of certain micronutrients.
Commercial production
Traditionally, the cut of meat used in galbi is the English-cut short ribs (wang-galbi cut), though the LA cut has also become popular. Ideally, the meat is marinated in a mixture of Asian pear and cooking alcohol or vinegar to tenderize it. Other ingredients used may be garlic, ginger, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and soy sauce. Then, sugar or honey is used to add more sweetness to the dish. Once marinated thoroughly, the meat is then grilled. It is usually served with rice, or some type of banchan, pickled Korean dishes, or Korean salads. Gochujang or ssamjang may also be served along with this.
Galbi recipes
This dish basically refers to the cut of beef in Korean cuisine. It is often served barbecued but may also be used in other dishes. Here are a few recipes:
FDA regulations
The USDA regulates all meat products, including beef, which is defined as meat from full-grown cattle about 2 years old. The main cattle breeds used for producing beef are Angus, Hereford, Charolais, and Brahman. In the US, hormones are allowed to promote the growth of cattle. Grading of beef is voluntary and is graded as Prime, Choice, and Select.
References
Alisson-Silva, Frederico et al. “Human risk of diseases associated with red meat intake: Analysis of current theories and proposed role for metabolic incorporation of a non-human sialic acid.” Molecular aspects of medicine vol. 51 (2016): 16-30. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2016.07.002, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5035214/
Klurfeld, David M. “What is the role of meat in a healthy diet?.” Animal frontiers : the review magazine of animal agriculture vol. 8,3 5-10. 7 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1093/af/vfy009, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7015455/