TASTY HANGUL · KOREAN FOOD GUIDE
Quick Help: Jeyuk Bokkeum
- What it is: Pork stir-fried in a red chili sauce (gochujang / gochugaru). Sweet, savory, a little spicy.
- Order: Just say “jeyuk.” Some restaurants need a 2-portion minimum, so ask if 1 portion is OK.
- Contains: Pork, chili paste/flakes, onion, garlic. Recipes vary by restaurant, so ask if you have allergies.
- Spice: Usually medium. You can ask for less spicy, though some restaurants may not be able to adjust it.
- Say this: 제육 2인분이요! (Jeyuk 2 portions, please!)
Hey, Sikgu!
Wondering what “Sikgu” means? Find out here →
Today, let’s talk about the ultimate go-to meal of Korean guys: Jeyuk Bokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork)!
Why do Korean guys go crazy for jeyuk bokkeum? Why can’t we live without it? Let’s find out!
Top photo: Yep, I made this myself. Haha.
01 Read the Name First
You already know Korean dishes usually have their ingredients right in the name, right?
LET’S READ HANGUL
제육볶음
jeyuk bokkeum · spicy stir-fried pork
제육
je + yuk → jeyuk
= pork
볶음
bok + eum → bokkeum
= stir-fried dish
제육 (jeyuk, pork) + 볶음 (bokkeum, stir-fried) = 제육볶음: pork stir-fried in a red chili sauce!
Don’t confuse it with beef bulgogi! And watch out for jeyuk deopbap (제육덮밥). Same pork, but served over rice in one bowl. Here’s a quick guide for menus:
| Menu | What it is | How it’s served |
|---|---|---|
| 제육볶음 Jeyuk bokkeum | Spicy stir-fried pork | Usually served separately from rice |
| 제육덮밥 Jeyuk deopbap | Same pork over rice | Spicy pork served over rice |
| 소불고기 So-bulgogi | Beef in a sweet soy sauce, not spicy | Served on a plate or in a pan |
| 오징어볶음 Ojingeo bokkeum | Spicy stir-fried squid | Usually served separately from rice |
Spice note: Jeyuk is sweet and spicy, and the heat level varies by restaurant. If Shin Ramyun is already spicy for you, ask first. (Not sure how spicy is too spicy? Check our spicy food guide.)
02 Why Korean Guys Can’t Live Without Jeyuk
Honestly, I’ve never met a Korean guy who hates jeyuk. (And yes, Korean women love it just as much. Haha.)
It’s the perfect lunch. It’s often stir-fried fresh to order, and for some reason you can eat it every day without getting tired of it. It’s good at home, good at a restaurant, and even good in the military. (Most Korean men serve in the military, and many remember eating jeyuk there!)
03 Where to Find It
Most Korean restaurants have it, including gisa sikdang (기사식당) and Gimbap Cheonguk (김밥천국).
LET’S READ HANGUL
기사식당
gisa sikdang · driver’s restaurant
기사
gi + sa → gisa
= driver (mostly taxi drivers)
식당
sik + dang → sikdang
= restaurant
기사 (gisa) + 식당 (sikdang) = 기사식당: a restaurant for taxi drivers!
Drivers know the good spots around town, and many gisa sikdang are famous for their jeyuk, so regular people go too.
Can’t find a place for jeyuk? Try a gisa sikdang!
04 How to Enjoy It Like a Korean
| Way to eat | How | Why it’s great |
|---|---|---|
| With rice | Eat it with a bowl of rice | The classic. Never fails. |
| Ssam (쌈) lettuce wrap | Wrap a piece in lettuce | It takes the flavor to another level! |
| DIY jeyuk deopbap | Scoop some rice into the jeyuk and mix | Wait, this tastes different! |
| With soju | Pair it with a shot of soju | Perfect if you have no plans after. Haha. |
Love ssam? See how Koreans wrap grilled meat in our Korean BBQ guide.
05 Let’s Order!
Tip:
Koreans usually just say “jeyuk,” without the “bokkeum.” And how do you call the staff? Just say “Sajangnim~!” (사장님). It literally means “owner,” but you often can’t tell who’s the owner and who’s staff. So Koreans just call everyone sajangnim. If it’s the owner, perfect. If it’s staff, they’ll happily take it. Haha. It works for everyone! (New to Korean restaurants? Read our Korean restaurant guide.)
Note: Some restaurants only take orders for 2 portions or more.
SAY THIS
사장님~ 여기 제육 2인분이요!
Sa-jang-nim~ yeo-gi je-yuk i-in-bun-i-yo!
Excuse me! Two servings of jeyuk, please!
SAY THIS
덜 맵게 해 주세요
Deol maep-ge hae ju-se-yo
Less spicy, please.
SAY THIS
1인분도 돼요?
Il-in-bun-do dwae-yo?
(sounds like “i-rin-bun-do”)
Can I order just one portion?
06 Not a Pork Fan? Try Ojingeo Bokkeum!
LET’S READ HANGUL
오징어볶음
ojingeo bokkeum · spicy stir-fried squid
오징어
o + jing + eo → ojingeo
= squid
볶음
bok + eum → bokkeum
= stir-fried dish
오징어 (ojingeo) + 볶음 (bokkeum) = 오징어볶음: squid stir-fried in a red chili sauce!
It’s the same idea as jeyuk, just with squid instead of pork, and it has its own charm.
Going with friends? If the restaurant allows it, order one of each and compare!
Wrap-up
Jeyuk bokkeum… Make sure you try it in Korea and taste Korean guys’ favorite go-to meal for yourself!