How to Make DIY Samgyupsal at Home (A Pinoy-Friendly Guide)

Let's be honest: samgyupsal isn't just food, it's an event. It's the fun of grilling, the chismisan with friends, and the ...

Let's be honest: samgyupsal isn't just food, it's an event. It's the fun of grilling, the chismisan with friends, and the satisfaction of building that perfect, one-bite ssam (wrap). The good news? You don't need to line up at a crowded K-BBQ restaurant to enjoy it.

You can create an authentic, delicious samgyupsal experience right in your own home. And no, you don't need a special, expensive grill.

This is your complete Pinoy-friendly guide to setting up the perfect DIY samgyupsal night. We'll cover the meat, the "sawsawan," and the simple setup.

1. The Meat: What to Buy

Samgyupsal (삼겹살) literally means "three-layer-flesh," which refers to pork belly.

• The Best Cut: Look for thinly sliced pork belly.

• The "Pro" Tip: Go to any Korean mart, and they will have this pre-sliced, either fresh or frozen. It's the easiest way to get the perfect thickness.

• The "Palengke" Tip: You can absolutely use liempo from your local butcher. Just ask your suki to slice it "as thin as possible" for samgyupsal. A thickness of about 1/4 inch is ideal. If it's a bit thick, it will just take a bit longer to get crispy.

For this guide, we are focusing on the classic, un-marinated pork belly. The flavor will come from the dipping sauces!

Want marinated pork?

• For spicy pork, bulgogi, and other flavors, check out our guide: [4 Easy Samgyupsal Marinade Recipes (Pinoy-Style)]

2. The Dips ("Sawsawan"): The Heart of Samgyupsal

The sauces are what make samgyupsal so addictive. You need two main dips.

Dip 1: The Ssamjang (The Rich, Red Paste)

This is the main K-BBQ dipping sauce. While you can buy it pre-made, it's incredibly easy to make your own simple version.

Easy 2-Ingredient Ssamjang Recipe:

• 2 tablespoons Doenjang (fermented soybean paste)

• 1 tablespoon Gochujang (Korean chili paste)

That's it! Mix them together in a small bowl. The doenjang provides the salty, umami-rich base, and the gochujang adds a touch of sweetness and spice.

• Don't know what Gochujang is? Learn all about it here: [What is Gochujang? A Pinoy's Guide]

Dip 2: The Sesame Oil Dip (The "Nutty" Dip)

This simple dip is perfect for bringing out the pure, savory flavor of the pork.

Recipe:

• 3 tablespoons sesame oil

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Mix in a small bowl. That's all! Some people like to add a pinch of MSG (like Aji-no-moto) for an extra umami kick.

3. The "Ssam" (The Wrap) & Veggies

The "ssam" (쌈) is the Korean word for a wrap. This is how you combine all the flavors in one perfect bite.

• Lettuce: The most common and affordable option in the Philippines is Green Ice Lettuce. Romaine Lettuce also works perfectly. Wash the leaves and let them dry.

• Garlic: Slice fresh garlic cloves thinly. You can eat them raw in the wrap or grill them on the pan with the pork fat.

• Green Chili: Slice some siling haba (green finger chilies) for a mild kick.

4. The "Pinoy-Friendly" Setup: No Grill? No Problem!

This is the secret: you don't need a special K-BBQ grill pan.

• The "Kawali" Method: A regular, wide non-stick frying pan or a cast-iron kawali works perfectly.

• The Butane Stove: The best setup is to place a portable butane stove (the kind used for shabu-shabu) in the center of your table with your pan on top. This lets everyone cook and eat together.

• The "Kusina" Method: If you don't have a portable stove, just cook the pork in batches on your kitchen stove and bring it to the table. It will still be delicious.

5. How to Eat: The 5-Step Perfect Bite

1. Grill the Pork: Place a few slices of pork belly on your hot pan. Grill until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Use kitchen scissors to cut the pork into bite-sized pieces.

2. Take a Leaf: Place a lettuce leaf in the palm of your hand.

3. Dip the Meat: Dip a piece of cooked pork into the ssamjang or the sesame oil dip.

4. Load It Up: Place the dipped meat onto the lettuce. Add a slice of grilled garlic, a piece of chili, and (most importantly) some kimchi.

5. Wrap and Eat: Fold the lettuce leaf into a small parcel. The "rule" is to eat it all in one big bite!

That's it! Samgyupsal at home is easy, affordable, and one of the best ways to share a meal with your barkada or family.

Want to complete your K-BBQ table?

• A samgyupsal meal isn't complete without side dishes. Check out our guide: [5 Easy Korean Side Dishes (Banchan) You Can Make]

✉️ Get Invites to K-Culture Events

  Join our exclusive K-Culture list. We will *only* email you about special events, new products, or opportunities related to Korean food and culture in the Philippines.
    Join the Fan List