Hey, Sikgu! Can You Read 삼겹살?
삼겹살 — Samgyeopsal
Ah, samgyeopsal! One of Korea’s favorite comfort foods.
If you’re into Korean food, you’ve probably heard of it. Maybe you’ve even tried it!
But how much do you really know about samgyeopsal?
Let’s discover what its name means, how to order it, and how Koreans love to eat it.
Ready? Let’s dig in!
1. First, Let’s Read 삼겹살!
Take a look at these three Hangul syllables.
삼 · 겹 · 살
- 삼 (sam) = Three
- 겹 (gyeop) = Layer
- 살 (sal) = Meat
Put them together!
삼 + 겹 + 살 = 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal)
See where the name comes from?
Samgyeopsal is pork belly, with layers of fat and lean meat. That’s how it got its name, though the meat doesn’t always have exactly three layers.
Pretty interesting, right?
Now, when you spot 삼겹살 on a Korean menu, you’ll know what it means!
2. Let’s Order Some Samgyeopsal!
Imagine you’re sitting in a Korean BBQ restaurant. You open the menu, and there it is.
삼겹살!
Hey, you recognize that!
To get the server’s attention, say:
“저기요!” (Jeogiyo!)
It means “Excuse me!” and is commonly used in Korean restaurants.
Then try:
“삼겹살 2인분 주세요!”
Samgyeopsal i-inbun juseyo!
“Two servings of samgyeopsal, please!”
Easy enough, right?
How Much Should You Order?
At many Korean BBQ restaurants, meat is ordered by the serving, called 인분 (inbun).
Let’s say one serving of samgyeopsal is 150 g.
Portion sizes and minimum orders vary by restaurant, so check the menu before ordering.
Now, let’s eat!
3. Time to Eat! Don’t Forget the Ssam!
Look at that samgyeopsal on the grill!
Once it’s cooked through, you can enjoy it just as it is. Delicious!
But here’s one of the most fun ways to enjoy Korean BBQ.
쌈 (ssam)!
Ssam! Ssam!!!
Grab a lettuce or perilla leaf, add a piece of grilled pork, and top it with ssamjang (Korean dipping paste), garlic, or whatever you like.
Now wrap it all up.
Ready?
ONE BITE!!!
That’s right! Koreans often eat an entire ssam in one bite, rather than nibbling away at it like a sandwich.
Of course, don’t force it if you’ve made yours too big!
Your Korean friend might laugh and say:
“Not like that! You made it way too big!”
Remember:
쌈 (ssam) = A leafy wrap filled with meat and other tasty ingredients.
And don’t stop there! Try your samgyeopsal with salt, ssamjang, or grilled kimchi.
Finding your favorite combination is half the fun.
4. Is the Meat the End of the Meal? Nope!!!
There’s a Korean saying:
“Koreans run on rice!”
Meat is meat. But rice? That’s another story!
Even after a big BBQ meal, some Koreans like to finish with rice or noodles.
First Up: 볶음밥 (Bokkeumbap)!
Already full?
Well, you might still find room for fried rice!
At some Korean BBQ restaurants, you can order bokkeumbap, sometimes cooked right on the grill where your meat was sizzling.
Not every restaurant serves it, so check the menu.
Or How About 냉면 (Naengmyeon)?
Naengmyeon is Korean cold noodles, and there are two popular options:
- 물냉면 (mul-naengmyeon) — Cold noodles in a refreshing broth.
- 비빔냉면 (bibim-naengmyeon) — Cold noodles mixed with a seasoned sauce that can be pretty spicy!
And here’s my little tip.
Save a piece or two of samgyeopsal for your naengmyeon!
Try eating the noodles with a piece of grilled pork.
A completely different combination of flavors!
So, which sounds best to you?
Samgyeopsal with soju? Cold noodles? Or fried rice to finish?
5. One Last Thing. Can You Read This Now?
Remember those three unfamiliar Hangul syllables from the beginning?
Take another look.
삼겹살
삼 · 겹 · 살
Looks a little more familiar now, doesn’t it?
Next time you see these characters on a Korean menu, you might just smile and think:
“Hey! I can read that!”
That’s the kind of little discovery we love at Tasty Hangul.
No need to study Korean like you’re preparing for an exam.
Just start with a dish you love.
One delicious word at a time.
So, Sikgu, what Korean food should we explore next?
Read it. Order it. Eat it. Understand it.
Tasty Hangul
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