Bulgogi literally means «fire meat» in Korean, and it's one of the country's oldest grilling traditions, dating back centuries. The dish is defined by its sweet-savory marinade, which uses grated Asian pear as a natural tenderizer alongside soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and sesame oil.

The beef is sliced very thin so it absorbs the marinade quickly, and it's traditionally grilled on a tabletop grill placed at the center of the table so everyone can cook together.