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Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

Kalbi Ribs with Kimchi (Korean Beef Short Ribs)

Published: Feb 24, 2023 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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Kalbi ribs AKA Korean beef short ribs are tender, meaty, savory and ono-licious as they say in Hawaii! Flanken cut short ribs are marinated in a flavorful sweet and savory mixture including pear, garlic and ginger. Once grilled, serve the kalbi ribs in a bowl with rice, kimchi and a perfectly fried egg right on top!

Kalbi beef short ribs served in a bowl with rice, kimchi and a fried egg and topped with green onions.

Kalbi Ribs AKA Korean Beef Short Ribs

Growing up in Hawaii, there are a few plate lunches I always order when I go back home. One is shoyu chicken with rice and mac salad and the other is savory and slightly sweet, kalbi ribs!

You can also call these Hawaiian style short ribs because they are so poular in Hawaii and have strong Korean influences. Thinly cut flanken short ribs are marinated in a flavorful marinade with Korean chili pepper, ginger and pear, which gives the galbi ribs fantastic flavor.

Once you get your grill nice and hot, grill the short ribs until they caramelize and the meat becomes perfectly tender. Serve the grilled kalbi ribs in a bowl full of cooked rice, spicy kimchi and a perfectly fried egg right on top, because everything is better with an egg!

Ingredients for Kalbi Marinade

  • Korean Short Ribs: this style of short ribs are also called flanken short ribs, where the meat is cut through the bone into thin and long pieces. You can often find flanken short ribs in most Asian stores as well as the meat department of your grocery store.
  • Asian Pear: Pear is traditionally used in kalbi marinade to sweeten and tenderize the meat. If Asian pear isn't available, substitute with bosc pear or an apple.
  • Onion, Garlic, Ginger and Scallions: These are aromatics that give the kalbi marinade a delicious savory flavor. Use fresh ingredients instead of dried or powdered for the best flavors.
  • Korean Chili Pepper: Also called Gochucago, Korean red chili pepper is dried chili pepper with a medium spice level that is often used in making cucumber kimchi. You can find gochugaru in Asian grocery stores and online as well.
  • Soy Sauce: I like using Shoyu, which is a Japanese style of soy sauce, which gives the marinade a delicious savory and umami flavor. For a gluten free alternative, use low sodium tamari.
  • Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way when it comes to sesame oil but is necessary for layers of flavor. Look for a toasted sesame oil for a flavor punch.

How to Make Korean Short Ribs

  1. Make the Kalbi Marinade: In a blender or food processor, add all of the marinade ingredients and blend to form a lose paste.
  2. Dry the short ribs and add the ribs to a wide shallow dish or bowl and pour mixture over it, making sure to toss well so everything is coated evenly. Then cover and marinate the kalbi ribs in refrigerator for at least 8 hours to overnight.
  3. When ready to cook, pre-heat grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat and brush with a high heat cooking oil, such as avocado oil.
  4. Drip off any excess marinade from the kalbi ribs and cook the Korean short ribs for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through and charred on the outside.
  5. Once done, serve the grilled kalbi ribs in a bowl filled with cooked rice, kimchi, over easy egg and garnish with furikake and green onions.

Recipe Tips

  • Marinate the kalbi ribs for at least 8 hours, if you have the time! The longer the marinade is on the meat, the more flavorful the kalbi beef ribs will be.
  • If an outdoor grill isn't available, cook kalbi ribs in a grill pan or cast iron skillet.
Kalbi ribs with kimchi and rice served in a bowl and topped with a fried egg.
What are Kalbi ribs?

Kalbi ribs also called galbi are a popular Korean dish with thinly sliced flanken short ribs are marinated and then grilled.

Can you over marinate Kalbi ribs?

Marinate the kalbi ribs for a few hours and up to 12 hours. Because there is pear in the marinade and the short ribs are thinly cut, the acidic marinade can change the texture of the ribs, if marinated for too long.

What to Serve with Kalbi Ribs

Serve Kalbi ribs with cooked white rice. For a Hawaii style plate lunch, add a scoop of Hawaiian Mac Salad and fresh Cucumber Kimchi or your favorite style of kimchi. Garnish the kalbi ribs with sliced green onion, sesame seeds and sriracha for even more spice!

Kalbi ribs served with rice, kimchi and fried egg.

Kalbi Beef Bowl with Kimchi (Korean Short Ribs)

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

These flavorful kalbi ribs are marinaded in a mixture of pear, ginger and garlic. Serve with rice and kimchi for the perfect bite!
5 from 9 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Marinating 8 hours hrs
Total Time 8 hours hrs 35 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Main, Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Hawaiian, Korean
Servings 4 servings
Calories 447 kcal

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients
 
 

Kalbi Marinade

  • 2 pounds Korean short ribs also called flanken ribs
  • 1 large Asian pears seeds removed and cut into chunks
  • 1 small yellow onion cut into chunks
  • 4 garlic cloves roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup Korean chili pepper
  • 3 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons shoyu or other soy sauce
  • 2 scallions roughly chopped
  • 1 inch piece of ginger peeled and grated or chopped well

For Serving

  • Cooked White Rice
  • Kimchi
  • Fried Egg
  • Green onions thinly sliced
  • Furikake
  • Sriracha

Instructions
 

  • Make the Kalbi Marinade. In a blender or food processor, add all of the marinade ingredients and blend to form a loose paste.
  • Dry the flanken ribs with paper towels and add the ribs to a wide shallow dish or bowl and pour mixture over it, making sure to toss well so everything is coated evenly. Cover and marinate the kalbi ribs in refrigerator for at least 8 hours to overnight.
  • When ready to cook, pre-heat the grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat and brush with a high heat cooking oil, such as avocado oil.
  • Drip off any excess marinade from the kalbi ribs and cook the Korean short ribs for 2-3 minutes on each side until cooked through and charred on the outside.
  • Once done, serve the grilled kalbi ribs in a bowl filled with cooked rice, kimchi, over easy egg and garnish with furikake and green onions.

Notes

  • Marinate the short ribs for 8 hours to overnight but no longer than 12 hours. 
  • Shake off or wipe off any excess marinade before grilling.
  • If Asian pear isn't available, substitute with bosc pear. 

Nutrition

Calories: 447kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 34gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 98mgSodium: 617mgPotassium: 801mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 106IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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Comments

  1. Skylar says

    June 17, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is fantastic since we only do beef 1-2 times a week we were looking foreword to this, it was a huge success. I did the Kimchi last yer and keep some around now all the time, when you do make the kimchee make a big batch a get some to the neighbor like we did. We let the ribs marinate for a full 2 days and I think it made them more tender.

    Reply
  2. Tommy says

    February 19, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    5 stars
    We had this in a little spot in NYC, then we made this recipe at home. The restaurant got 3 stars and this recipe got 5 out of 5 Stars. Who thinks of putting pears into a recipe like this. WOW, the pear totally made the dish Amazing.

    Reply
  3. Coley | Coley Cooks says

    March 26, 2017 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    What a fun trip!! I've never been anywhere in the Pacific Northwest (or anywhere north of San Fran), but it is super high up on my list of places to go. I've been on a big Asian kick lately and this looks amazing. I've made a few versions of Korean short ribs and still haven't found one that I love. Can't wait to try your recipe out! Also, can we talk about that fried egg? PERFECTION!!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      March 28, 2017 at 9:57 am

      Yessss...come to PNW, honestly I find it so similar to the North East with lakes and greenery..it's beautiful up here 🙂

      Reply
  4. Alyssa | EverydayMaven says

    February 25, 2017 at 6:35 pm

    5 stars
    These pictures are AMAZING Samantha! Thanks for all of the kind words about the retreat <3 I am so glad we finally got to hang out. This is the same dish I ordered at Bites and your version has me drooling. Printing to make soon! xoxoxo

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 26, 2017 at 9:10 am

      Yay hope you make it! The marinade is so easy and I even asked Thomas from Bites for his recipe too haha But it was after I posted this one. It was sooo good!!

      Reply
  5. fabiola@notjustbaked says

    February 20, 2017 at 9:57 am

    5 stars
    This is so awesome! Love love love this. I'm so happy we got to spend some time together. And I'm totally making this!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 22, 2017 at 8:16 am

      Yay!! Thanks so much Fabi!! And same here...loved spending time with you!

      Reply
5 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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