Korean Short Ribs
Part of the problem has to be the specific way of cutting these things. It's called the "flaken cut", and they are about 1/2 inch thick cut straight through the bone. Even my mean cleaver couldn't hack through these things. You really need a band saw. Butchers have the equipment, but are often confused about the process.
Luckily, I had a short cut. I just recently found Joongboo Market, which is about 5 minutes drive away from my house. They have piles and piles of pre-cut short ribs ready to go, plus everything else I'd never for my marinade.
Even the marinade is easy. It's a mixture of ingredients you can find at normal grocery stores. But since I was at a Korean grocery store, I looked for more authentic versions of the basics. This was my first time with soy sauce that wasn't from a regular grocery store, and the difference in flavor was unbelievable. If you can imagine the difference between regular olive oil and expensive extra-virgin olive oil, that's rather like the experience of trying this. It was slightly fizzy, and almost gulpable.
The Korean grocery store had loads of premade sauces for this dish ready to go, but it was so easy to make my own. For a recipe I found this great post by Nook & Pantry. I'm not sure if there is an official recipe, but most of the ones I looked at seemed very simlar. I just loved the addition of an Asian pear to the marinade. At the end of this I actually began to wonder whether this was too easy. This recipe could have easily been a Dinner Tonight recipe. It has few ingredients, and besides a marinade, can be made in minutes.
I'm fascinated that a tough cut, loaded with connective tissue can be turned into one of the tenderest cuts of meat I've ever eaten without a long cooking process. It's an incredible dish, and one I'll be having quite often.
I still haven't solved all my problems with short ribs. Certainly, they are still fatty. Though it looks like you'll be able to gnaw on a dozen of these and still feel sprightly, the luxurious pieces are best eaten in moderation. After about three, I was stuffed. Just pair these with a lot of veggies and maybe a little kimchi, and you'll be fine.
Obviously a charcoal grill is the best fire for the meat. But it's still awfully cold here in Chicago so I used the broiler. I didn't get those nice grill marks, but the flavor was still there.
Korean Short Rib Barbecue (Galbi)
Serves 3-4
- 2 pounds flanken-style short ribs/spare ribs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 Asian pear, peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup rice wine
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 4 scallions, chopped
Puree the pear in a blender. Pour the juice into a large bowl.
Add the soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and scallions. Whisk until combined.
Dump in the short ribs. Toss until covered. Stash in the fridge for 5 hours or so.
Preheat the broiler or a grill. Remove the meat from the marinade. Place underneath the broiler or on top of the grill and cook for 4 minutes per side.
Serve.
