Samgyeopsal, that delicious temptation! But aren't you curious about how samgyeopsal, which we enjoy every day, became the soul food of Koreans and why it is so loved? Today, we will reveal all about the fact that samgyeopsal is not just meat, but is intertwined with culture and history through three documentaries. Each piece explores samgyeopsal from a different perspective, so you might feel like a samgyeopsal expert after watching it! Now, let's enter the world of documentaries.
'Samgyeopsal Rhapsody' (Netflix, KBS production)
The history of samgyeopsal and how it became the soul food of Koreans!
A documentary that delves deep into how samgyeopsal became the representative dining menu of Koreans, 'Samgyeopsal Rhapsody' delves deeply into the origins of samgyeopsal and the process of its popularization. How did samgyeopsal, which was initially shunned because it was oily, become the king of company dinner menus? Cooking researcher A says, "Samgyeopsal is not just meat, it's a kind of 'culture'. The moment of grilling meat and sharing it stimulates the emotions of Koreans."
This documentary covers how the economic growth and development of the dining culture in the 70s and 80s coincided with the rise in popularity of samgyeopsal, and the impact it has had on today's company dinner culture. Restaurant CEO B says, "Samgyeopsal's popularity has skyrocketed since the mid-90s. As bars changed their menus to samgyeopsal, it became a popular company dinner food." In this way, samgyeopsal has now become more than just meat; it has become a part of a special culture that accompanies company dinners.
Case:
I once covered a story about how samgyeopsal became a must-have menu item at a company dinner in Gangnam, Seoul. In the early 2000s, the CEO of a small and medium-sized company in Seoul said, "Let's recharge with protein with samgyeopsal today," which really brought up the atmosphere of the company dinner. "A glass of soju with grilled pork belly, that's the true love of office workers," said an employee who attended a company dinner, recalling his memories. This small example became evidence that pork belly has firmly established itself as the soul food of office workers.
* Available on Netflix
'Black Pork Belly' (Jeonju MBC Documentary)
Originally an unpopular cut?!
'Black Pork Belly' is a documentary that focuses on the fact that pork belly was once a neglected cut of meat. In the past, beef was more popular, and among pork, lean meat was preferred over pork belly. C, a veteran in the restaurant industry, explains how pork belly came to be loved by the public, saying, "Pork belly? Even in the 70s, not many people ate it. Back then, beef was the best. Pork belly was just cheap meat."
However, thanks to its cost effectiveness, samgyeopsal gradually gained popularity among the general public, and especially in the late 1980s, its popularity exploded as it became established as a bar menu. E, the owner of a traditional restaurant, said, "In the past, when we sold samgyeopsal, many customers would ask, 'Why is there so much fat?' However, samgyeopsal is cheap and has excellent flavor, so the perception gradually changed." Although it took time for samgyeopsal to become popular, it eventually became loved for its taste and cost-effectiveness.
Case
In the late 1980s, a famous meat restaurant in Jeonju was the first to put samgyeopsal on its menu. At that time, samgyeopsal was perceived as "cheap but fatty meat," and some customers disliked it. However, the owner emphasized its cost-effectiveness and presented samgyeopsal as a new image of "a hearty meal with the family." This strategy was a huge hit and had a great impact on changing the perception of samgyeopsal.
* Available on Jeonju MBC YouTube
'Taste of Fire, Samgyeopsal' (KBS Cheongju Headquarters Documentary)
The taste of fire determines the taste of samgyeopsal?!
Now, the documentary 'Taste of Fire, Samgyeopsal' tells us that the type of fire plays an important role in grilling samgyeopsal deliciously, and scientifically analyzes the difference in taste of samgyeopsal by comparing charcoal, flash grenade, and gas fire. Cooking experts, chemists, and meat experts appear to explain how to grill samgyeopsal to bring out the best taste. Among them, meat expert G emphasizes, "When grilled over charcoal, the surface of the meat quickly caramelizes, giving it a savory sweetness on the surface of the meat. If you take that taste away, it's not samgyeopsal, it's just meat."
In particular, samgyeopsal grilled over charcoal has the secret to maximizing the Maillard reaction, which brings out the taste of fire and meat together. Chemist I says, "The reactions that occur as the surface of the meat cooks quickly are the reason why we find samgyeopsal delicious. Temperature, flame strength, and type of fuel all play important roles." , and uncovers the secret of fire that determines the taste of samgyeopsal. Flash grenades cook quickly, but do not provide the same deep flavor as charcoal, and gas grills differ in that they have a consistent temperature but lack the flavor of fire.
Case
As samgyeopsal became popular, many people also prefer charcoal-grilled samgyeopsal. In the early 2010s, a famous samgyeopsal restaurant in Seoul introduced a method of maximizing the flavor of meat by utilizing the Maillard reaction during the process of grilling meat over charcoal, which was very popular with customers. This restaurant attracted customers by promoting “charcoal-grilled samgyeopsal” and has continued to serve charcoal-grilled samgyeopsal to this day.
* Available on KBS YouTube
Which samgyeopsal documentary is right for you?
🎬 'Samgyeopsal Rhapsody' → If you want to know the history and popularization of samgyeopsal!
🎬 'Black samgyeopsal' → If you are curious about the fact that samgyeopsal was originally an unpopular cut!
🎬 'The Taste of Fire, Samgyeopsal' → If you're curious about the scientific method of grilling samgyeopsal more deliciously!
Now, choose a documentary and gain a deeper understanding of samgyeopsal. Then, if you grill samgyeopsal and feel the science and culture of its taste, you too will become a samgyeopsal expert before you know it!
Then, how about samgyeopsal for dinner tonight?