How to Make Traditional Instant Bulgogi

Original Korean YouTube video — embedded (no download)

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    1. Meat and Fruit Preparation Cut the beef into 3 large sections and carefully separate the thin layers so the seasoning can penetrate quickly . Peel 1/2 pear and 1/2 apple, then grate them finely using a grater to tenderize the meat and add natural sweetness .

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    2. Initial Seasoning Mince 8 cloves of garlic by crushing and then chopping them to release maximum flavor . Grate a small amount of ginger (about 1/2 tsp) directly into the beef . Add 1/2 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of freshly ground black pepper . Mix the beef with the fruit purée and aromatics by hand. Let the meat sit for about 10 minutes while preparing the vegetables .

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    3. Vegetable and Stock Preparation Thinly slice one large onion . Wipe a piece of kelp with a damp cloth and soak it in 300ml of water for 10 minutes to make a light stock . Julienne 1/3 of a carrot and diagonally slice the red and green chilies . Cut the green onion into 5cm pieces and shred them lengthwise . Slice the shiitake mushrooms into 0.5cm thick pieces . Scrape the skin off the burdock root with a spoon, then use a peeler to make thin shavings directly into water with a splash of vinegar to prevent browning .

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    4. Final Seasoning Mix Add 4 tablespoons of soy sauce to the meat and vegetable mixture . Drain the burdock shavings and squeeze out excess water, then add them to the bowl . Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to help tenderize the meat and 3 tablespoons of sesame oil for a nutty aroma . Mix all ingredients thoroughly with chopsticks, then gently fold in the shiitake mushrooms at the very end .

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    5. Cooking and Finishing Heat a cast iron pan over high heat until very hot. Add a tiny bit of olive oil if needed and place the marinated beef on the pan . When one side is nicely browned, flip the meat over . Pour in about 100-150ml of the kelp stock (adjust based on the amount of meat) to keep the bulgogi moist and create a delicious broth . Once the beef is fully cooked, transfer to a serving plate and enjoy .

Inspired by YouTube cooking creators.
Original video embedded from YouTube.