📝 About This Recipe
Galbijjim is the crown jewel of Korean festive cuisine, historically reserved for royalty and special celebrations like Seollal. These beef short ribs are slow-braised until the meat is succulent and literally falling off the bone, bathed in a sophisticated glaze of soy, ginger, and sweet Korean pear. The addition of chestnuts, jujubes, and vibrant vegetables creates a multi-textured masterpiece that perfectly balances savory 'umami' with a delicate, natural sweetness.
🥗 Ingredients
The Beef
- 3 pounds Beef Short Ribs (English cut, bone-in, cut into 2-inch chunks)
The Braising Liquid (Aromatic Base)
- 1/2 cup Soy Sauce (Jin-ganjang or regular dark soy sauce)
- 1/2 piece Korean Pear (Grated and squeezed for juice; can substitute with Bosc pear)
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar (Lightly packed)
- 1/4 cup Mirin (Sweet rice wine)
- 6 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger (Freshly grated)
- 2 tablespoons Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1/2 pound Daikon Radish (Cut into 1.5-inch chunks with rounded edges)
- 2 medium Carrots (Peeled and cut into thick chunks with rounded edges)
- 6-8 pieces Shiitake Mushrooms (Fresh, stems removed, caps scored with an 'X')
- 10-12 pieces Peeled Chestnuts (Fresh or canned/vacuum-packed)
- 6-8 pieces Dried Jujubes (Korean red dates, pitted)
- 10 pieces Ginkgo Nuts (Optional, for traditional garnish)
For Garnish
- 2 stalks Green Onions (Thinly sliced on a bias)
- 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Seeds
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Place the short ribs in a large bowl of cold water for at least 30-60 minutes. This essential step draws out excess blood, which ensures a cleaner, clearer sauce and removes any gamey odors.
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2
While the ribs soak, whisk together the soy sauce, pear juice, brown sugar, mirin, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Ensure the sugar is fully dissolved.
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3
Drain the ribs and rinse them under cold running water. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Blanch the ribs for 5-8 minutes until they turn grey and release foam. Drain and rinse each rib individually to remove any bone fragments or impurities.
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4
Trim any excess thick layers of white fat from the blanched ribs. Make 1-2 shallow slits in the thickest part of the meat to help the marinade penetrate deeply.
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5
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the ribs and the prepared sauce. Add 2 cups of water (just enough to almost cover the ribs). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
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6
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer gently for 60 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure the ribs on top rotate to the bottom.
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7
While the meat simmers, prepare the radish and carrots. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to round off the sharp edges of each chunk. This 'mentori' technique prevents the vegetables from breaking apart and keeps the sauce clear.
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8
After the first hour, add the radish, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms to the pot. Cover and continue to simmer for another 45 minutes.
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9
Add the chestnuts and jujubes. Simmer, covered, for a final 20-30 minutes. By now, the meat should be tender enough to pull apart with chopsticks but not falling off the bone into a mush.
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10
Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Gently spoon the sauce over the ribs repeatedly (basting) for about 5-10 minutes. This reduces the liquid into a thick, glossy glaze that coats everything beautifully.
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11
Taste the sauce. If it's too salty, add a splash of water; if it needs more sweetness, add a drizzle of honey or rice syrup for extra shine.
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12
Transfer carefully to a large serving platter, ensuring the colorful vegetables and chestnuts are visible on top. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
💡 Chef's Tips
Soaking the ribs in cold water and blanching them are non-negotiable steps for an authentic, clean-tasting Galbijjim. Rounding the edges of the radish and carrots prevents them from crumbling and making the sauce cloudy. If you can't find Korean pear, a sweet apple or even a splash of pineapple juice works as a meat tenderizer, but use sparingly as pineapple is very strong. For the best flavor, make this a day in advance; the flavors deepen overnight and it becomes much easier to skim off any solidified fat from the surface.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with a bowl of warm, fluffy short-grain white rice to soak up the delicious braising liquid. Pair with a side of spicy, well-fermented Napa cabbage kimchi to cut through the richness of the beef. A light, clear soup like Mu-guk (radish soup) or a simple cucumber salad (Oi Muchim) provides a refreshing contrast. For a traditional beverage pairing, try cold Barley Tea (Boricha) or a glass of Korean rice wine (Makgeolli).