Authentic Korean-Style LA Galbi (BBQ Short Ribs)
Master the art of authentic Korean BBQ at home with these sweet and savory LA short ribs. Marinated to perfection, they grill up wonderfully caramelized and tender.
LA Galbi is a staple of Korean BBQ, distinguished by its unique lateral cut across the rib bones, which allows the marinade to penetrate deeply and cook quickly. The secret to its iconic tender texture and rich, savory-sweet flavor lies in soaking the meat to remove impurities, followed by a deeply aromatic soy and soju-based marinade. This is a must-have dish for any Korean grill night.
Ingredients
- 800 g bone-in LA short ribs
- 3 tbsp Korean BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp Mongolian soy sauce or regular soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp beef powder (dashida)
- 1/2 tsp MSG
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Jinro soju
- 1.5 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 white onion, sliced
- 1 King Oyster mushroom, sliced
Instructions
- 1Select the short ribs

To make authentic Korean BBQ, start with high-quality bone-in LA short ribs. Ensure the meat has good marbling for the best texture and flavor.
Tip: Look for short ribs with a bright red color and even fat distribution, which will keep the meat tender during grilling. - 2Soak the ribs

Place the short ribs in a container and submerge them in cold water. Let them soak for at least 3 hours to draw out impurities and excess blood from the bone.
Tip: Wash the meat gently to prevent the beef from separating from the bone. - 3Wash the Ribs

Gently wash the soaked short ribs in water to remove the blood completely, doing this three times. Be careful not to wash too hard to prevent the meat and bone from separating.
Tip: Do not scrub too aggressively so that the ribs keep their structure intact. - 4Add the marinade ingredients

Drain the washed ribs and place them into a mixing bowl. Add BBQ sauce, Mongolian soy sauce, sesame oil, beef powder, MSG, pepper powder, dark soy sauce, Jinro soju, white sugar, and minced garlic in sequence.
Tip: Adding soju helps to tenderize the beef and remove any lingering raw meat odors. - 5Massage and marinate

Using your hands, mix the ribs thoroughly with the seasonings, massaging the marinade into the meat so every piece is evenly coated. Let the ribs marinate for at least two hours to allow the rich, savory flavors to fully absorb.
Tip: Massaging the meat gently by hand helps the muscle fibers relax and absorb the marinade more effectively. - 6Grill the marinated ribs

Once fully marinated, place the short ribs onto a hot grill pan. Arrange your favorite vegetables, such as sliced onions and mushrooms, alongside the meat to cook in the rendered beef fat. Grill until sweet, savory, and perfectly browned.
Tip: Ensure the pan is preheated before adding the ribs to get a good sear and lock in the meats juices. - 7Cut the Cooked Ribs

Once the ribs are browned and cooked on the pan, use tongs and scissors to cut the meat into smaller, bite-sized pieces directly on the pan.
Tip: Kitchen shears make it easy and fast to cut hot meat right on the cooking surface.