갈비 Galbi
Marinated beef short ribs grilled over charcoal or at the table.
Spice: Not spicy
Gogi-gui (Korean BBQ)
삼겹살 Samgyeopsal
Thick slices of pork belly you grill at the table and wrap in lettuce.
- Grilled Pork Belly
- Spice: Not spicy
- Contains pork
At a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Pork belly |
| How it's served | Raw slices grilled at your table, with lettuce, garlic, dipping paste and side dishes |
| Spice level | Not spicy — No chili heat. |
| Diet | Contains pork — Pork is a standard ingredient. |
| Allergens | Soy · Sesame |
| Ask about | Dipping paste (ssamjang) usually contains wheat; kimchi grilled alongside contains fish and shrimp. |
| On the menu | 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal) |
| Also called | samgyupsal · samgyeobsal · pork belly · Korean BBQ pork belly |
| Region | Nationwide |
Based on the usual recipe. Restaurants vary, so always tell the staff.
How to eat Grilled Pork Belly
Grill and cut the meat
Staff sometimes grill it, but often you do it yourself. Cut the slices into bite-size pieces with the scissors provided.
Dip it or wrap it
Dip a piece in sesame oil with salt, or wrap it in lettuce with dipping paste (ssamjang) and garlic.
Finish with rice or noodles
After the meat, many people order rice with soybean paste stew, or a bowl of cold noodles.
How to order it
Order it as 삼겹살. Many restaurants require at least two servings, so it is usually shared rather than ordered alone.
- On the menu: 삼겹살
- Usually sold: Usually 2 servings minimum
Where it comes from
The name refers to its three layers of lean meat and fat. Pork belly was traditionally eaten steamed, boiled or braised. Restaurants specializing in grilling it seem to have appeared from the late 1970s. It became widely popular during the slump after the 1997 financial crisis. Samgyeopsal with soju came to be seen as part of Korean culture.
Sources: Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (encykorea.aks.ac.kr)
Similar dishes
곱창 Gopchang
Pieces of beef small intestine finished on a hot pan at the table, often eaten with soju.
Spice: Not spicy
Questions about Grilled Pork Belly
How spicy is samgyeopsal?
Not spicy. The meat is usually grilled plain, with no marinade. Any heat comes from what you add, such as green chili peppers or kimchi.
Can you eat samgyeopsal alone?
Sometimes. Many restaurants require at least two servings, though some accept one. Ask the staff before you sit down.
What is the difference between samgyeopsal and galbi?
Samgyeopsal is plain pork belly, usually grilled without a marinade. Galbi is ribs, beef or pork, usually marinated before grilling.
- By Jason Kim (Bumsoo)
- Last reviewed October 10, 2026