Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim (Korean Braised Short Rib)

Are you ready to indulge in a mouthwatering Korean dish that combines tender braised short ribs with spicy and cheesy flavors?

Bring this popular restaurant dish right into your own kitchen with our delicious Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim recipe!

Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim is a modern version of the centuries-old Korean braised short rib dish. Made with beef short ribs, spices, and vegetables cooked over many hours, it is a popular dish served in Korean restaurants for its rich taste and bold flavors.

In this blog post, we’ll share with you an irresistible, home-cook friendly recipe for Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim that will surely satisfy your cravings.

You’ll have the option of cooking it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, depending on your preference and available cooking equipment.

Keep reading for more details on how to make this mouthwatering dish!

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Table of Contents

Exploring the Deliciousness of Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim

If you love Korean cuisine, then Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim is a must-try dish. Its combination of tender beef short ribs, spicy flavors, and gooey melted cheese make it a heavenly delight for your taste buds.

The dish is made with beef short ribs that are braised in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and gochujang.

The addition of grated asian pear helps to tenderize the meat and add a subtle sweetness to balance out the spiciness.

Once the meat is cleaned and ready, it is combined with a medley of vegetables such as carrots, onions, and shiitake mushrooms to create a robust and aromatic base for the dish.

For an interesting mix of textures, crunchy water chestnuts and chewy tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes) are added to the dish.

Lastly, a generous amount of mozzarella cheese is sprinkled over the top of the dish, creating a gooey and cheesy crust that adds an irresistible element both visually and taste-wise.

When you take a first look at the Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim, you won’t be able to resist digging in and doing a cheese pull!

Each ingredient plays a role in the harmony of flavors and textures that make Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim so special. Rich, savory, and slightly sweet, this dish will leave you wanting more with every bite!

The Perfect Fusion: Korean Braised Short Rib with Cheese

While galbijjim is a traditional Korean dish known for centuries, the addition of a cheese topping is a modern twist that adds a whole new level of indulgence to the dish.

The combination of braised short rib and cheese creates a fusion of savory, spicy, and creamy flavors that meld together perfectly.

The most popular Korean restaurants we know that offer Spicy Galbijjim with Cheese are Daeho (located in San Francisco and Las Vegas) and Sun Nong Dan (located in Los Angeles.)

We have visited both restaurants many times, and this is where our love for this Korean dish began.

Asian Americans are divided over which restaurant serves the best Spicy Galbijjim with Cheese, as both places have a loyal following for their delicious versions of this dish.

But one thing that we can all gree on is that both of these restaurants deserve a visit from you!

What Equipment You’ll Need to Make Spicy and Cheesy Korean Short Ribs at Home

To make Spicy and Cheesy Korean Short Ribs at home, you’ll need the following equipment:

• cast iron pan
• mixing bowl(s)
• Our Place Chef Knife
• slow cooker (for slow cooker method)
• Our Place Perfect Pot (for stovetop method)
• culinary torch (optional)
• grater

Choosing the Cooking Method: Slow Cooker or Stove Top

For Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim, you have the option of cooking it on the stovetop or using a slow cooker.

We have tested and cooked this same recipe with both methods and found that both methods yield excellent results.

Both methods result in deliciously tender and flavorful short ribs, so it ultimately depends on your personal preference and time constraints.

Also, the resulting dish slightly varies in flavor and texture depending on the cooking method chosen.

Here are some key points to consider when deciding which cooking method to use:

Slow Cooker method:

• Offers convenience as you can set it and forget it while the dish cooks.
• Longer cook time (about 6 hours)
• More developed flavor and fall-off-the-bone meat (meat has likely already fallen off the bone during the slow cooking process)

Stovetop method:

• More hands-on approach
• Shorter cook time (about 2 1/2 hours)
• Intense, concentrated flavors and a slightly firmer texture (guests can experience pulling the tender meat off the bone with satisfaction)
• Provides more control over the cooking process and allows for adjustments and taste testing along the way.

Which method you choose ultimately depends on your cooking style, time availability, and preferred outcome. Let us know in the comments which cooking method you use for this recipe!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim

Main Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs bone-in beef short ribs
• 1 sweet onion chopped
• 1 cup carrots chopped
• ½ cup dried shiitake mushrooms
• ½ head garlic chopped
• 3 slices ginger
• 1 lb daikon radish sliced
• 1 cup water chestnuts sliced
• 2 cups tteokbokki
• 3-4 cups water enough to submerge ingredients

Sauce

• ½ cup beef stock
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup mirin
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 asian pear grated
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) mild spice level. Adjust for your spice preference
• ¼ cup gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) mild spice level. Adjust for your spice preference

Toppings

• ½ bunch chives chopped
• shredded mozz
• toasted sesame seeds

A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim

Clean and prepare ingredients

1. In a large bowl, soak the beef in cold water for 30 min. This will remove excess blood and bone fragments.
2. Rinse clean and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine sauce ingredients together. Taste to desired spice preference.

Option A. Slow Cooker Method (6 hours)

1. Heat oil in a cast iron pan over high heat. Sear the beef for 2 min or until all the sides are browned. Work in batches if needed to prevent over crowding. Place the seared beef in the slow cooker.

1. Add onions, carrots, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, and sauce to the slow cooker.
2. Fill with water up to the top of the ingredients. Set the slow cooker to low for 6 hours.

1. 2 hours before serving, add daikon radish and water chestnuts.
2. 20 minutes before serving, add tteokbokki.

1. To serve, place in a heat safe pan or dish. Add shredded mozzarella then torch to melt the cheese.
2. Garnish and serve with rice.

Option B. Stove Top Method (2-2½ hours)

1. Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Sear the beef for 2 min or until all the sides are browned. Work in batches if needed to prevent over crowding.
2. Lower the heat down to medium high. Add back in all the beef and fill with just enough water to submerge it. Bring the pot to a boil.
3. Once boiling, add the sauce.
4. Hard boil for 30 min then lower to a simmer for another 30 min.
5. Add vegetables. Simmer for 20 min.
6. Add tteokbokki and simmer for 10 min.
7. Test ingredients for fork tenderness. Cook for additional time if needed.
8. To serve, add shredded mozzarella on top and cover the pot for about 5 min to let the steam melt it. Alternatively, use a culinary torch.
9. Turn off the heat. Garnish and serve with rice.

How to Change the Spice Level in this Galbijjim Recipe

Our recipe for Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim can be easily adjusted to suit your spice preference.

Our given ingredient measurements will yield a mild level of spiciness, because we wanted to give plenty of room for customization.

There are several ways to adjust the spice level in this Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim recipe.

First, you can increase or decrease the amount of gochugaru (Korean dried red pepper) used.

Second, you can add or remove gochujang (Korean chili paste) to your desired spice level.

And third, you can swap out your brand of gochujang to one that is labeled as “extra spicy” or “mild” depending on your preference.

Finally, if you prefer an even milder dish, you can also reduce the amount of red pepper flakes or omit them altogether.

Spiciness is very subjective, so we encourage you to experiment and customize the spice level to your liking! The best home cooked food is one that your taste buds will enjoy.

Love spicy food? Click here to explore more spicy recipes on our blog!

Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim

You can serve Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim with a side of steamed rice and Korean banchan (assorted side dishes) such as kimchi, pickled vegetables, and seasoned spinach.

As for beverages, we highly recommend pairing Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim with a yogurt soju cocktail, a refreshing and light Korean rice wine called Makgeolli, or a crisp, cold lager like Hite or Terra.

Whatever beverage you choose, we recommend going light and refreshing to balance out the rich flavors of the dish.

How to Store and Reheat Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim

To store leftover Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

If you can, store the leftovers without the cheese topping. Then when it is time to reheat, add a fresh layer of shredded cheese and melt it.

To reheat, place the galbijjim in an oven safe dish and cover with foil. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the covered dish for about 20-30 minutes or until heated through. Add cheese and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.

If you prefer to reheat individual servings, you can use a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave.

As for the cheese topping, melting cheese in the microwave can be a bit tricky and can result in rubbery cheese. We recommend melting the cheese over the stove with a little bit of water to steam it, then pouring it on top of your reheated dish.

Final Thoughts

Tender, savory, and irresistibly rich, Spicy and Cheesy Galbijjim is a must-try dish for any Korean food lover. Make it at home using either the slow cooker or the stovetop method, and adjust the spice levels to your liking!

We hope you enjoy this recipe! Share your creations on Instagram and tag us @itsforkandspoon!

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References & Further Reading

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galbi-jjim

https://koreatownlosangeles.com/articles/what-is-galbi-jjim/

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100213000018#:~:text=During%20the%20Goryeo%20Dynasty%2C%20the,it%20on%20the%20Seollal%20table.

https://daehokalbijjim.com/

https://sunnongdankfoods.com/