갈비

Galbi (갈비) simply means 'ribs' in Korean — from the verb garida (가르다, to divide/cut). But in Korean cuisine, galbi is a specific dish: marinated beef short ribs grilled at the table.

The marinade typically includes soy sauce, garlic, sugar, sesame oil, and Asian pear or kiwi to tenderize. Each family has their own recipe, passed down through generations.

Korean barbecue restaurants began opening worldwide in the 1980s-90s. LA galbi — ribs cut thin across the bone, American-style — became a Korean-American fusion icon.

Today galbi is the gateway dish to Korean cuisine for millions of non-Koreans. The smell of grilling meat and the communal cooking style made Korean food accessible.