Bulgogi” is known as one of the most famous Korean dishes. Bulgogi is made from thin slices of prime cuts of beef. The meat is marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and other ingredients for the enhancement of its flavour and tenderness. It is then grilled or pan-cooked to be served, sometimes with a side of lettuce or other leafy vegetable. Its history starts as ancient as from the Koryo Period (918~1392) when the meat culture was called “Mac-joek”. The taste of Bulgogi has developed throughout the history with every region’s culture which has now led to a creation of various Bulgogi in the present time.

Bulgogi, however, contains another meaning that is not as widely known as it is recognized as a beef dish; its literal meaning contains the meaning of “fire” (bul) and “meat”(gogi), therefore referring to the meaning of “cooking the meat on fire”, the barbeque.

During the 20th century, Korean barbeque became widespread in Japan, most notably after the Second World War, and created the famous Japanese style of Yakiniku, a Japanese term referring to grilled meat dishes. Today, due to its Korean origins, Yakiniku is referred to as either “Japanese barbeque” or “Korean barbeque”.