Dak-galbi

Dak-galbi, also known as spicy stir-fried chicken, is a popular Korean dish made primarily from chicken, cabbage, sweet potato, and rice cakes (tteok), stir-fried in a spicy gochujang (chili pepper paste) based sauce.

History

The dish originated in the city of Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, in the 1960s. It was initially prepared as an inexpensive meal for workers in the makguksu (buckwheat noodle) restaurants in the region. Over time, dak-galbi became popular throughout Korea and is now a staple in Korean cuisine.

Preparation and Serving

Dak-galbi is typically prepared on a large, round, hot plate that is placed in the center of the dining table. The ingredients are added in layers, with the chicken and vegetables on the bottom and the rice cakes on top. The dish is then cooked at the table, with the server or diner stirring the ingredients together as they cook.

Once the dak-galbi is fully cooked, it is typically served with lettuce and perilla leaves for wrapping, as well as various banchan (side dishes). Some restaurants also offer the option to add ramyeon (instant noodles) or bap (steamed rice) to the remaining sauce at the end of the meal, creating a flavorful fried rice or noodle dish.

Variations

There are several variations of dak-galbi, including cheese dak-galbi, where cheese is added to the dish, and seafood dak-galbi, which includes various types of seafood.

In Popular Culture

Dak-galbi has been featured in various Korean dramas and variety shows, contributing to its popularity both in Korea and internationally.

See Also

• Korean cuisine
• Chuncheon
• Gochujang
• Banchan