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Pugi Korean BBQ (Fire Meat) Recipe – Make It at Home
Pugi, which literally means “fire meat” in Korean, is a delicious and popular Pugi Korean BBQ dish that’s all about thinly sliced beef, a flavorful marinade, and quick, high-heat cooking. Traditionally, it’s a restaurant favorite, but you can easily make it at home in about 15 minutes for under $20.
This recipe shows you how to prepare Pugi at home using simple ingredients and techniques, giving you a restaurant-style dish without the high cost.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, you’ll need thinly sliced beef, Korean pear, onion, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, mirin or sake, oyster sauce, black pepper, scallions, sesame seeds, and a little oil for cooking.
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Making the Marinade
Start by combining soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil in a bowl. In a blender, combine onion, Korean pear, water, and garlic, and blend until smooth. Mix the blended mixture into the soy-sugar-sesame base.
Add mirin or sake, oyster sauce, and black pepper. This will create a flavorful base that gives your beef the authentic Pugi taste. The Korean pear is key—it tenderizes the meat and adds natural sweetness.
Marinating the Beef
Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. For the best flavor, marinate the beef for 24 hours, but if you’re short on time, 30 minutes will work. As the beef marinates, its color changes from red to a rich brown as it absorbs the marinade.
Cooking the Pugi
Heat a pan over medium to low heat and add oil. Add the marinated beef and cook slowly, turning occasionally. Because the beef is thinly sliced, it cooks quickly and stays tender. Cut larger pieces into bite-sized portions as needed.
When the beef is about 70–80% cooked, add the chopped onion and scallions. Sprinkle in sesame seeds for flavor and presentation. Cook for another minute or two until everything is combined and aromatic.
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Serving and Eating Pugi
Serve your Pugi hot. For a traditional Korean BBQ experience, wrap the beef in lettuce along with rice, pickled radish, or other favorite toppings. The bite-sized wraps allow you to enjoy the beef, vegetables, and rice together for a perfect balance of flavors.
Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top. This not only adds visual appeal but also is a Korean way of showing that the dish is fresh and untouched.
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Pugi Korean BBQ (Fire Meat)
Pugi, meaning ‘fire meat’ in Korean, is a popular Korean BBQ dish made with thinly sliced beef marinated in a sweet and savory sauce with Korean pear, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for a quick homemade Korean BBQ experience.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 g beef (thinly sliced) ribeye or sirloin works best
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce optional
- 1/2 tbsp garlic minced
- 1/3 cup Korean pear peeled and roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup onion roughly chopped
- 1-2 scallions chopped for garnish
- 1 tbsp mirin or sake optional
- to taste black pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds for garnish
- oil for cooking
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Sauce Base: In a blender, combine the roughly chopped onion, Korean pear, 1/3 cup water, and minced garlic. Blend until smooth. This creates a sweet and savory base that tenderizes the beef.
- Step 2: Make the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, add soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, oyster sauce (optional), mirin, black pepper, and the blended sauce. Mix thoroughly into a smooth marinade.
- Step 3: Marinate the Beef: Place the thinly sliced beef into the marinade, making sure each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 24 hours, for best flavor.
- Step 4: Prepare Vegetables: Chop scallions and any additional onions. These will be added at the end to provide freshness, color, and crunch.
- Step 5: Cook the Beef: Heat a pan or skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil. Add the marinated beef and cook slowly, stirring occasionally. Cut larger slices into bite-sized pieces. Avoid high heat to prevent toughness.
- Step 6: Add Vegetables: When beef is about 70–80% cooked, add chopped onions and scallions. Stir gently and cook 1–2 minutes until vegetables are tender yet crisp.
- Step 7: Garnish and Serve: Transfer beef and vegetables to a serving plate. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately with steamed rice, lettuce wraps, or your favorite Korean sides.
Notes
🔹 Thinly sliced beef ensures tender texture.
🔹 Marinate 30 minutes minimum, 24 hours preferred.
🔹 Korean pear is key; canned pear can substitute.
🔹 Serve with rice, lettuce wraps, or kimchi.
🔹 Adjust seasoning as needed with soy sauce, sugar, or sesame oil.
🔹 Korean pear is key; canned pear can substitute.
🔹 Serve with rice, lettuce wraps, or kimchi.
🔹 Adjust seasoning as needed with soy sauce, sugar, or sesame oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 1634mgPotassium: 142mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 61IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?
how it was!Tips for the Best Pugi
- Use thinly sliced beef for quick cooking and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Korean pear is essential for tenderizing the meat and adding sweetness.
- Oyster sauce or a pinch of MSG enhances the savory depth of the dish.
- Add scallions and sesame seeds at the end for freshness and color.
