Build a Bulgogi Ssam Board for Entertaining

Sep 25

2 min read

Ssam, meaning “wrap” in Korean, is a way of enjoying meat and other fillings wrapped in leafy greens with rice, sauces, and accompaniments.

A Bulgogi Ssam Board turns a Korean meal into an easy, interactive way to entertain. Instead of assembling individual plates, arrange bulgogi, fresh and cooked vegetables, rice, ssamjang, kimchi, and other accompaniments on one large board and let everyone build their own wraps.

The components can be prepared ahead and customized depending on the season, the number of guests, or what you have available.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Start with a variety of leafy greens for wrapping, such as green leaf lettuce, romaine, napa cabbage,

or perilla leaves. Add bulgogi as the centerpiece, then build around it with a combination of fresh and cooked vegetables.

Your board could include:

Bulgogi for the main protein
Leafy greens for wrapping
Rice
Ssamjang (Korean dipping sauce)
Kimchi
Fresh vegetables such as cucumber and peppers
Cooked vegetables such as onions, mushrooms and peppers
Garlic and green onions
Additional banchan or seasonal vegetables

Bulgogi for Wraps

Ingredients

1-1.5 pounds rib eye or sirloin steak, thinly sliced

1/4-1/2 onion, sliced

2 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)

Garnish: green part of green onions and sesame seeds

Marinade (adjust to taste)

½ Korean pear or apple, peeled and grated

4 garlic cloves, minced or grated

1/2 inch ginger, peeled and grated

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 Tablespoons sweetener

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 Tablespoons sesame oil

Directions

In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients. Add the sliced beef, onion, and white parts of the green onion and mix until combined.

Marinate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight in the fridge.

Heat an indoor pan or outdoor grill and arrange the beef in a single layer. If using an outdoor grill, cook in a cast iron pan or basket to prevent the beef from falling through the grates. Cook for a few minutes on each side until cooked through.

Top with green onions and sesame seeds and enjoy as ssam (wraps).

BEHIND THE POUR

A light soju spritz pairs naturally with the board and is easy to make for a group. Keep it simple and refreshing so it complements rather than competes with the savory bulgogi and ssamjang.

Soju Spritz

Soju

Fresh lemon juice

Club soda or sparkling water

Ice

Garnish: cucumber & mint

BEHIND THE EXPERIENCE

The appeal of a ssam board is that everyone builds their own. Guests can layer lettuce or perilla with rice, bulgogi, ssamjang, kimchi, and vegetables, creating a different combination with every wrap.

For entertaining, prepare the sauces, vegetables, rice, and garnishes ahead of time. Cook the bulgogi shortly before serving and add it to the board while warm.

The vegetables can be cooked outdoors on a grill or inside using a skillet or grill pan, making the idea work year-round.