The Recipe · No.963 · Galbi

Galbi, and where to source it

Galbi — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Galbi Korean 5best2buy.com

Grate a whole Asian pear into the marinade; that is the secret, not more sugar. The pear's enzymes tenderize the thin-cut beef and its natural sugar chars sweet on the grill without burning the way added sugar would.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook10 min
Makesserves 4
CuisineKorean
Cost$$$
Dairy-free
Contains  gluten · soy · sesame
Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Short ribs
Flanken-cut (LA-style) across the bones, about 1/3 inch thick for fast grilling.
3 lb
Local / market
Asian pear
Grated; the enzyme that tenderizes and the sugar that chars sweet.
1 pear
Local / market
Soy sauce
The salty savory base of the marinade.
1/2 cup
Source it →
Garlic and ginger
Lots of grated garlic with a little ginger for punch.
8 cloves, 1 in
Local / market
Brown sugar
Just enough to back up the pear; too much and it burns.
3 tbsp
Local / market
Sesame oil
Stirred in at the end for that toasted Korean aroma.
2 tbsp
Source it →
Scallion
Sliced into the marinade and more for garnish.
4 stalks
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Grill
The Method
  1. Make the marinadeBlend grated pear, soy, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, sesame oil, and scallion.
  2. MarinateRinse the ribs, pat dry, and marinate at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Fire the grillGet a charcoal or gas grill ripping hot; thin ribs cook in minutes.
  4. Grill hot and fastGrill the ribs 2 to 3 minutes a side until caramelized and charred at the edges.
  5. ServeCut off the bone, garnish with scallion and sesame, and serve with rice and lettuce wraps.
The Toolkit

Grill · Box grater · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Galbi in an air fryer? — Sometimes

Sometimes — if the pieces are small and cooked dry, an air fryer can handle it in a single layer; anything saucy or liquid needs a pan. When in doubt, the stovetop or oven is the safe call.

Can you freeze Galbi? — Yes

Yes — cool it, portion into airtight containers, and freeze; thaw in the fridge and reheat.

Can you make Galbi ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Galbi gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).

Is Galbi vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.963