Galbi Jjim aka Braised Short Ribs
Recipe from Susan Kim
Galbi jjim was almost always served on special occasions when I was growing up—it’s a celebratory dish. Like most braises, this will only get better with time, so if you have the bandwidth to braise it the day before your dinner party, it’ll get that overnight alchemy that happens in the fridge. If you’re able to make this ahead of time, simply let it cool on the stovetop before storing it covered in the refrigerator. To bring it back to serving temperature, reheat it low and slow on the stovetop, giving it a good stir to reintegrate any ingredients that have separated. The process this recipe calls for is really great for any tough cut of meat. The whole point is to bring a tough cut to a very tender place. Feel free to experiment with other tough meats like oxtail, for example. As always, don’t be afraid to talk to your butcher about substitutions if you’re ever interested in trying something different.
2 hours
4-6
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 3 pounds bone-in short ribs, cut into 11/2-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup kosher salt (preferably a low-salinity salt, such as Diamond Crystal)
- Freshly ground black pepper 2 cups soy sauce
- 1/2 cup mirin
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 4 ounces fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 6 garlic cloves, grated
- 1 pound daikon, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1/2 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 1/2 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks
- 6-inch piece fresh horseradish root, peeled and Microplaned, for garnish
- 1 bunch of perilla leaves, torn, for garnish
Directions
Step 1
Season the short ribs with the salt and pepper. If possible, do this the night before and store covered in the fridge overnight. Seasoning ahead of time allows the salt to do its job of making the meat more tender and flavorful.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, 2 cups water, the mirin, maple syrup, and vinegar. Set the braising liquid aside.
Step 3
In the Cast Iron Perfect Pot , heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, ginger, and garlic and cook together for about 2 minutes. Light browning is okay.
Step 4
Pour the braising liquid into the pot. Add the seasoned short rib pieces, then place the daikon, carrots, and potatoes on top of the short ribs. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and braise until the ribs are fork-tender and practically falling off the bone, about 2 hours.
Step 5
Serve with the potatoes and carrots, some of the remaining braising liquids, the grated horseradish, and torn perilla leaves.
Make Ahead: You can make the entire recipe 2 to 3 days before your dinner party. Once the Cast Iron Perfect Pot you used for the braise is fully cooled, cover it with the lid and store it as is in the refrigerator. To reheat, bring to a low simmer over medium heat on the stovetop.
Susan Kim
Susan Kim is the founder of Doshi, a traveling food pop-up inspired by Korean home cooking. Despite Susan’s classical culinary training (from the likes of Chez Panisse), her approach is untraditional and unfussy, which ultimately results in dishes that will have you redefining what you consider to be authentic.
