Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly)

Make authentic Korean Samgyeopsal at home with this flavorful and easy grilled pork belly recipe. Served sizzling hot with dipping sauces, lettuce wraps, and Korean side dishes, this dish brings Korean BBQ right to your table.

Samgyeopsal, meaning “three-layered meat” in Korean, refers to the distinct layers of fat and meat in pork belly slices. Grilled tableside or over a backyard grill, this dish is a staple in Korean cuisine and a beloved communal meal.

Why This Samgyeopsal Is So Popular

Samgyeopsal gui is more than a meal—it’s a dining experience. Grilling your own meat at the table fosters a sense of sharing and togetherness. It’s also completely customizable with dipping sauces, fresh veggies, and Korean banchan (side dishes). The crispy, savory pork belly paired with the fresh crunch of lettuce and zingy ssamjang (fermented soybean sauce) makes each bite irresistible.

Korean BBQ isn’t just about the food—it’s a ritual of togetherness. Samgyeopsal is traditionally grilled at the table over a gas or charcoal grill, often accompanied by shots of soju and laughter. The process of grilling, flipping, cutting, and wrapping each piece of pork with vegetables and condiments transforms dinner into an event. This social style of eating reflects the communal heart of Korean culture.

DIETARY INFORMATION

Samgyeopsal is gluten-free and dairy-free by nature.
To make it lower in calories, opt for thinly sliced pork shoulder or turkey bacon instead.
For a vegetarian version, replace pork with thick slices of king oyster mushrooms or tofu, grilled and served with the same accompaniments.

INGREDIENTS FOR SAMGYEOPSAL

Protein:

• Pork belly slices (uncured, unsalted, skinless)

Seasonings and Dipping Sauces:

• Sesame oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Ssamjang (fermented soybean paste with garlic and chili)
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste)

Vegetables and Wraps:

• Romaine or green leaf lettuce
• Perilla leaves (optional)
• Garlic (thinly sliced)
• Green chili peppers (sliced)
• Scallions

Optional Side Dishes (Banchan):

• Kimchi
• Pickled radish
• Steamed rice
• Korean potato salad

HOW TO MAKE SAMGYEOPSAL (GRILLED PORK BELLY)

1. Prepare the grill or grill pan. Preheat to medium-high heat. No oil needed due to pork belly’s natural fat.
2. Slice pork belly. Use pre-sliced pork belly or cut into ¼-inch thick strips.
3. Prep dipping sauces. In one bowl, mix sesame oil with a pinch of salt and pepper. In another, serve ssamjang and gochujang.
4. Prepare vegetables. Rinse lettuce, perilla leaves, scallions, garlic, and chilies. Arrange on a platter.
5. Grill the pork. Place pork belly slices on the grill. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
6. Serve immediately. Cut pork into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a serving platter.
7. Wrap and eat. Take a lettuce leaf, add a slice of pork, ssamjang, garlic, and chili, then fold and eat in one bite.

Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly)

Authentic Korean BBQ at home! This grilled pork belly recipe for samgyeopsal is sizzling, savory, and perfect for sharing. Wrap in lettuce with spicy ssamjang and banchan for a traditional experience.

Servings 4

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  

• 1½ lbs pork belly slices ¼-inch thick

Seasonings and Dipping Sauces

• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp ssamjang dipping sauce (Recipe available on blog)
• 2 tbsp gochujang

Vegetables and Wraps

• 1 head green leaf lettuce
• 10 perilla leaves optional
• 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
• 2 green chili peppers thinly sliced
• 2 scallions chopped
• Optional banchan: kimchi, steamed rice, pickled radish

Instructions

 

• Preheat grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. No oil needed due to pork belly's natural fat.
• Arrange pork belly slices and grill 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp.
• Mix sesame oil, salt, and pepper for dipping. Place in small serving bowls.
• Rinse and prepare lettuce, perilla leaves, and toppings.
• Transfer cooked pork to a platter. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Serve hot with sauces, veggies, and banchan.
• To eat, wrap pork in lettuce with ssamjang, garlic, chili, and enjoy!

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Serving Size: 1 portion (approx. 6 oz pork belly with wraps)
Calories: 520
Carbohydrates: 6g (2% DV)
Protein: 21g (42% DV)
Total Fat: 46g (59% DV)
Saturated Fat: 17g (85% DV)
Cholesterol: 80mg (27% DV)
Sodium: 540mg (23% DV)
Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
Sugar: 2g (4% DV)
Vitamin A: 30% DV
Vitamin C: 20% DV
Calcium: 4% DV
Iron: 8% DV

*Nutrition data is an estimate and can vary based on brands used and portion size.*

Calories: 520kcal

Course: main dish

Cuisine: korean

Keyword: how to make samgyeopsal, Korean bbq at home, Korean bbq meat, Korean grilled pork belly, low-carb Korean recipe, samgyeopsal recipe

Recipe Tips

• For crispier pork, grill over charcoal for authentic smokiness.
• You can prep the vegetables and sauces up to a day in advance and refrigerate.
• To make this dish vegetarian, grill thick slices of king oyster mushrooms or tofu instead of pork.
• Want a low-calorie version? Use lean pork shoulder or turkey bacon.

Serving Ideas

Serve samgyeopsal with:

• Steamed white rice or cauliflower rice
• Spicy Korean kimchi
• Pickled daikon or radish
• Japchae (Korean glass noodles)
• Korean soju or makgeolli for traditional pairing

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @wokwithsam on Instagram and hashtag it #wokwithsam.