Korean-Style Charcoal Grilled Meat Rice Bowl

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Experience the smoky perfection of Seoul's popular charcoal-grilled rice bowls. Tender sous-vide pork and charred vegetable skewers combine for a savory masterpiece.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

Straight from the vibrant food streets of Yeonnam-dong, this Korean-style grilled meat rice bowl has quickly become a local favorite. The secret lies in the meticulous preparation: combining a deep, aromatic marinade with precise sous-vide cooking, followed by a final blast of heat over hot charcoal to achieve that signature smoky finish. It is a harmonious balance of texture and flavor that makes every bite memorable.

A perfectly charred Korean grilled meat rice bowl, served with fresh vegetable skewers and white rice.
A perfectly charred Korean grilled meat rice bowl, served with fresh vegetable skewers and white rice.
Prep45 mins
Cook2 hr
Total2 hr 45 mins
Yield2 servings
DifficultyMedium
Calories650 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Slice the pork neck
    Uniform square blocks of pork neck neatly arranged on a red cutting board.

    Place the thick-cut pork neck on a cutting board and slice it into uniform square blocks. Preparing the meat into consistent portions ensures that it cooks evenly during the subsequent marinating and grilling stages.

    Tip: Keep the slices consistent in size so they reach the desired level of tenderness at the same time.
  2. 2Prepare and trim the pork belly
    Pork belly with excess fat trimmed away, ready for marinating.

    Pat the pork belly dry with a paper towel to remove moisture, which helps achieve a better texture. Carefully trim away any excess or unwanted fat using a sharp knife to ensure the meat is lean and pleasant to eat.

    Tip: Removing excess surface moisture helps the meat sear better later on the charcoal grill.
  3. 3Sauté the aromatics
    Sautéed onions, garlic, and green onions in a pan, lightly caramelized.

    Add chopped onions, green onions, and garlic to a pan. Sauté the vegetables over medium heat until they are soft and lightly browned, releasing their fragrant oils to build the base of the marinade.

    Tip: Sautéing the aromatics before adding them to the sauce deepens the savory flavor profile.
  4. 4Marinate the pork
    Pork pieces resting in a dark marinade within a metal container.

    Submerge the prepared pork neck and belly pieces into the metal container filled with the dark, flavorful marinade. Ensure every piece is thoroughly coated to absorb the savory essence of the ginger, garlic, and onion-infused sauce.

    Tip: Let the meat soak in the marinade long enough to ensure it penetrates the interior of the thicker cuts.
  5. 5Sous-vide the marinated meat
    Vacuum-sealed bags of pork being cooked in a professional sous-vide water bath.

    Place the marinated meat into vacuum-sealed bags and submerge them in a temperature-controlled water bath. This cooking method ensures the pork remains tender and reaches a perfect, consistent doneness throughout.

    Tip: Using a sous-vide machine provides precise control over the texture, making the meat exceptionally tender.
  6. 6Prepare vegetable skewers
    Colorful skewers of eggplant, peppers, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes ready for the grill.

    Thread pieces of eggplant, green peppers, mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes onto wooden skewers. These vegetable skewers will be grilled alongside the marinated pork to add freshness and variety to the meal.

    Tip: Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces so they grill evenly on the skewers.
  7. 7Grill the meat and skewers
    Meat blocks and vegetable skewers roasting over hot charcoal coals.

    Place the prepared meat blocks and vegetable skewers, including eggplant, green peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms, onto the hot charcoal grill. Cook at high temperatures, turning occasionally, until the meat achieves a crispy exterior and tender interior.

    Tip: Grilling over charcoal infuses the meat and vegetables with an authentic smoky flavor.
  8. 8Glaze the meat
    A pair of tongs dipping a piece of grilled pork into a metal container filled with dark marinade.

    Once the meat is seared, dip the pieces into the prepared marinade sauce. Dipping provides a quick and efficient way to coat the meat, ensuring it remains flavorful and juicy.

    Tip: Dipping is a time-saving alternative to brushing that ensures even coverage.
  9. 9Slice the grilled meat
    Grilled pork being sliced into uniform strips on a green plastic cutting board.

    Place the grilled meat on a cutting board and slice it into thin, even strips. This makes the meat easier to arrange in the rice bowl and ensures each bite is perfectly sized for the customer.

    Tip: Use a sharp knife to get clean slices without tearing the tender meat.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store grilled meat and rice in separate airtight containers.
Reheating
5 min
Reheat meat in a pan over medium heat to maintain the crispy exterior. Avoid microwaving to prevent the pork from becoming rubbery.

Burn It Off

Running
~65 minutes at a moderate pace (~9 km/h).
Brisk Walking
~2 hours and 10 minutes at a steady pace (~5 km/h).
Gym
~1 hour and 30 minutes of strength training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, pork shoulder or even chicken thighs work exceptionally well with this marinade and grilling method. Just ensure you adjust cooking times based on the thickness of the meat.
Sous-vide cooking ensures the pork reaches the perfect internal temperature and tenderness before it hits the grill. This allows you to focus the grilling process solely on achieving a charred, flavorful crust without overcooking the inside.
Soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the vegetables. This significantly reduces the chance of them charring or breaking during the grilling process.
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