The Best Cheeses To Pair With Samgyupsal

While the addition of cheese to samgyupsal is a recent trend, it is becoming increasingly popular in Korea and beyond. Although some people argue that cheese is not an authentic ingredient in Korean cuisine, others embrace the cultural evolution and borrowing that has brought dishes like kimchi to Korea. In fact, cheese sauces are often used in Korean BBQ restaurants in the U.S. and are a common drinking food in Korea. These cheese sauces typically include butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or eden cheese.

Mozzarella and cheddar cheese sauce

A combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese is a great choice for a cheese sauce to go with samgyupsal. Here is a detailed recipe and instructions for making the sauce.

Ingredients:

• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Milk
• Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Optional Ingredients:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Mustard

Instructions:

• Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
• Add flour and mix well. You can also add a teaspoon of salt at this stage.
• Cook the mixture until it starts to bubble.
• Gradually add milk, stirring continuously, until the mixture thickens.
• Add shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
• Whisk the mixture until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and sticky.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.

Tips:

• It is recommended to shred your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives to prevent clumping and may not melt as smoothly.
• For a smoother sauce, ensure that the flour and butter mixture is lump-free before adding milk.
• This sauce can be served with various dishes such as nachos, pretzels, steamed vegetables, fries, and more.

Eden cheese

When making a cheese sauce for samgyupsal, you can combine Eden cheese with other types of cheese, such as mozzarella, to create a gooey and sticky consistency. The sauce is easy to prepare and can be made by melting butter in a saucepan, adding flour and milk, and then mixing in the shredded cheese until it is fully melted. This sauce can be served hot with meats or breads of your choice.

The addition of Eden cheese to samgyupsal enhances the flavour of the grilled meats and adds a delightful twist to the traditional Korean BBQ dish. It is a popular choice for those who want to elevate their BBQ experience, whether they are hosting a party or enjoying a quiet dinner. The creamy cheese dip pairs perfectly with the grilled meats and can be enjoyed as a side or a topping.

One popular restaurant in the Philippines, Romantic Baboy, offers unlimited samgyupsal with cheese for a reasonable price. The restaurant is known for its high-quality meats and its dreamy, creamy cheese, which customers can enjoy as much as they like. The cheese at Romantic Baboy has been described as tasting similar to Eden cheese, and it blends well with all the meats on offer.

Korean corn cheese

The dish is a combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and gooey. It is traditionally made with corn, butter, mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and green onions. It is baked in the oven for about 10 minutes and then broiled for a couple of minutes to make it bubbly and brown on top.

Ingredients:

• 2 ears of fresh sweet corn kernels or 4 cups of canned or frozen corn
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie Japanese mayo)
• 4 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚F.
• Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until fully combined.
• Pour the mixture into a lightly greased baking dish.
• Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts and the mixture bubbles.
• Transfer the dish to the broiler and broil for 2 minutes or until the top is browned and bubbly.

Tips:

• Fresh corn is preferable, but canned or frozen corn can also be used. If using canned corn, drain and omit the sugar as it is already sweet. If using frozen corn, thaw and drain excess water before continuing with the recipe.
• The sugar is added to enhance the natural sweetness of the corn and balance the creamy mayonnaise and salty cheese. However, it can be omitted if desired.
• The dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 2 months.

Blue cheese dip

While samgyupsal is traditionally a grilled pork belly dish, adding cheese to it has become a recent trend. A popular pairing with Korean BBQ, a blue cheese dip can be a delightful addition to your samgyupsal. Here is a simple recipe for a delicious blue cheese dip that will be a perfect accompaniment to your grilled meats.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup shredded blue cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour and a teaspoon of salt, stirring continuously until the mixture begins to bubble.
• Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
• Add the shredded blue cheese and mustard, and continue whisking until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.

This blue cheese dip will add a rich and creamy flavour to your samgyupsal, enhancing the overall taste experience. Enjoy your homemade Korean feast!

Parmesan or queso de bola

Queso de bola, or Edam cheese, is a semi-hard cheese wrapped in a layer of red wax or paraffin. It is creamy with notes of nuttiness and salty bursts. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many recipes. For example, it can be eaten as is, with crackers, fruits, nuts, bread, and wine. It can also be used as a substitute for Parmesan cheese. When grated, queso de bola can be used as a topping for pasta, baked potato, baked macaroni, or any creamy soup. It can also be melted to make a cheese dip or a cheese sauce, which can be added to dishes like mac and cheese or used as a topping for baked salmon.

Parmesan cheese, on the other hand, is a hard, aged cheese with a strong, sharp flavour. It is often used as a topping or ingredient in dishes like pasta or chicken recipes.

When deciding whether to use Parmesan or queso de bola for samgyupsal, consider the following:

• Queso de bola is a good alternative to Parmesan when it is aged and hardened.
• Queso de bola melts well and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches, as a dip, or as a topping.
• Parmesan is often used as a topping or ingredient in dishes, while queso de bola is more versatile and can be eaten as is or used in various recipes.
• The flavour and texture of queso de bola depend on its age, with older cheese being harder and having a more intense flavour.

Frequently asked questions