bulgogi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowCulinary / Casual
Quick answer
What does “bulgogi” mean?
A Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated beef (or sometimes pork) that is grilled or pan-fried.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated beef (or sometimes pork) that is grilled or pan-fried.
Refers specifically to the marinated meat prepared in this traditional Korean style. The term can also refer to the cooking method or the marinade itself, and has become a metonym for Korean barbecue cuisine in international contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally understood in culinary contexts in both varieties. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Conveys associations with Korean cuisine, trendy dining, and marinated, grilled meat. The connotations are identical in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, likely due to the larger number and longer history of Korean-American communities and restaurants. Usage in both varieties is increasing with the global popularity of Korean food.
Grammar
How to Use “bulgogi” in a Sentence
[verb] + bulgogi: eat, make, cook, grill, order, serve, marinatebulgogi + [noun]: bulgogi dish, bulgogi meat, bulgogi flavour[adjective] + bulgogi: Korean, delicious, marinatedVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the restaurant, food service, and culinary tourism industries (e.g., 'Our new menu features a bulgogi bowl.').
Academic
Rare, except in specific fields like culinary history, food studies, or cultural anthropology (e.g., 'The globalization of bulgogi reflects Korea's cultural influence.')
Everyday
Common when discussing food, restaurants, or cooking (e.g., 'Let's get bulgogi for dinner.' or 'I'm trying a new bulgogi recipe.')
Technical
Used in professional culinary contexts regarding preparation techniques, ingredients, or menu engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bulgogi”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bulgogi”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bulgogi”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'two bulgogis'). It is generally uncountable.
- Mispronouncing the 'g' as a hard /g/ in 'go'; it is a standard /g/.
- Confusing it with other Korean dishes like 'galbi' (ribs) or 'bibimbap'.
- Misspelling as 'bulgogi', 'bulgogi', or 'bul go gi'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, yes, bulgogi refers specifically to beef. However, in modern and international restaurants, you may find 'pork bulgogi' or 'chicken bulgogi' which use the same marinade and cooking style.
In American English, it is /bʊlˈɡoʊɡi/ (bool-GOH-ghee). In British English, it is /bʊlˈɡəʊɡi/ (bool-GOH-ghee). The stress is on the second syllable.
Yes, it is a popular home-cooked dish. The main requirements are thinly sliced beef (often ribeye or sirloin) and a marinade typically containing soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and pear or apple for tenderness.
Bulgogi is made with thin slices of meat, while galbi (or kalbi) is made with short ribs, often still on the bone. The marinades are similar but distinct, and galbi is always grilled.
A Korean dish of thinly sliced, marinated beef (or sometimes pork) that is grilled or pan-fried.
Bulgogi is usually culinary / casual in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BULL' (as in beef) + 'GO' + 'GI' (as in the martial arts uniform, suggesting Korea). 'The BULL GOes to GI (Korea) to become delicious meat.'
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS CULTURAL AMBASSADOR (bulgogi represents Korean culture globally).
Practice
Quiz
What is bulgogi?