Galbi and galbi-jjim are cooked differently

If you know Korean barbecue, galbi probably means marinated beef ribs cooked over a grill. Galbi-jjim starts with ribs too, but braises them, cooking the meat slowly in a seasoned liquid until it turns tender. Jjim is the Korean word for that braised or steamed style of cooking.

That matters if you came looking for a galbi burger and expected charred, grill-marked meat. This burger is the braised version, and the menu describes it as spicy.

Braised rib vs. a grilled patty

Our other beef burgers start with a grilled patty. Ground beef cooked over direct heat has a seared outside and an even bite from edge to center. The Spicy Galbi-jjim Burger is built on beef rib slow-braised for four hours, and the menu describes the tender rib meat as piled high. Long, gentle cooking is what turns rib meat tender, and it gives the seasoning time to work into the beef. The menu calls the flavor deep.

The menu lists the burger as spicy but doesn't rate the heat. If you want beef with no heat at all, the Bulgogi Burger is the one to order.

Who it suits

This is the highest-priced burger on our menu, listed at $17.99, or $22.99 as a combo. It's also the only one whose beef braises for four hours before the burger is stacked to order. It's a good pick if:

  • you like braised short rib, pot roast or other slow-cooked beef
  • you'd rather spend on one standout burger than on extra sides
  • a spicy burger sounds good to you

Another burger may suit you better if you want the familiar bite of a grilled patty (the Cheese, Deluxe or Bulgogi Burger). The same goes if you want two proteins at once, which is what the Bulsae Burger offers. For a drink, a cheong ade goes well with a rich, spicy burger like this one. We describe our ades as a not-too-sweet sip that cuts the richness of a burger, and our drink guide covers the three flavors.

Prices are as listed and may change, so check the menu before ordering.