Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly) — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

The belly goes on the grill plain — no marinade. The whole ritual is the wrap: a lettuce leaf, a grilled slice, a dab of ssamjang, raw garlic and scallion. Season the meat only with the dip and the ssam.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 4 servings

Pork belly

Skinless, sliced about 3/8 inch thick; too thin and it dries, too thick and it won't crisp.

2 lb

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Ssamjang

The wrap dip — a blend of doenjang and gochujang. Buy it or mix your own.

1/2 cup

Local / market

Lettuce

Red leaf or perilla leaves for wrapping; sturdy enough to hold the meat.

2 heads

Local / market

Garlic

Sliced raw to grill alongside, or eaten fresh in the wrap.

1 head

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Scallions

Slivered and tossed with chili flakes and sesame oil for pa-muchim.

4 stalks

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Kimchi

Grilled on the plate beside the pork, it caramelizes and turns mellow.

1 cup

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Gochugaru

Korean chili flakes for the scallion salad.

1 tbsp

Local / market

Sesame oil

With salt and pepper as a second dip for the meat.

2 tbsp

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The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge

A light hand — your arteries say thanks.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

No-cook

The Method

Make the scallion saladToss slivered scallions with gochugaru, a splash of vinegar and sesame oil.
Set the tableArrange lettuce, ssamjang, sliced garlic, kimchi and the sesame-salt dip.
Grill the bellyCook pork belly on a hot grill plate, turning, until deeply browned and crisp at the edges.
Snip and grill sidesCut the belly into bite pieces with scissors; grill garlic and kimchi in the rendered fat.
Wrap and eatLay pork on a lettuce leaf with ssamjang, garlic and scallion salad; wrap and eat in one bite.

The Toolkit

Grill plate · Kitchen shears · Tongs

Straight Answers

Can you make Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly) in an air fryer? — Not needed

It’s a salad — nothing to air-fry once it’s tossed. You can crisp a topping in one, though: croutons, bacon, or chickpeas in a single layer while you build the rest.

Can you freeze Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly)? — Best fresh

Not really — the vegetables and dressing turn to mush once thawed. Salads are a make-fresh thing.

Can you make Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly) ahead of time? — Best fresh

Dress it just before serving — the greens wilt and brown once coated. Wash, cut, and chill the components ahead, then toss at the last minute.

Is Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly) gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly) 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.1006

Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly), and where to source it