Preparation and serving
When is the meat marinated when cooking bulgogi?
Bulgogi
"Bulgogi" is made from thin slices of sirloin or other prime cuts of beef. Before cooking, the meat is marinated to enhance its flavour and tenderness with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, pepper and other ingredients such as scallions, ginger, onions or mushrooms, especially white button mushrooms or "matsutake". Sometimes, cellophane noodles are added to the dish, which varies by the region and specific recipe. "Bulgogi" is traditionally grilled, but pan-cooking has become popular as well. Whole cloves of garlic, sliced onions and chopped green peppers are often grilled or fried with the meat. This dish is sometimes served with a side of lettuce or other leafy vegetable, which is used to wrap a slice of cooked meat, often along with a dab of "ssamjang", or other side dishes, and then eaten together.