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This bulgogi kimchi burger is a brilliant creation. It has the flavors of bulgogi and it is the classic Korean BBQ dish in burger form. 10/10 recommend this for anyone who loves the flavors of bulgogi but doesn’t want to make it!
It seems to be every year that by the time March rolls around, we’re all ready for the warm weather and to take the covers off our grills and patio furniture.
I’m thankful that we’re going to be getting more light in the evenings but I’m waiting for the weather to get its act together.
We’ve gotten so much rain this past year.
To be really honest, I’m tired of wiping Winston every time he needs to go out into our waterlogged and muddy backyard.
He’s a low-rider so his underbelly just gets soaked.
What is a bulgogi kimchi burger?
It is a burger with the flavors of the classic Korean dish, bulgogi.
It has kimchi topped on the burger along with a spicy gochujang mayo sauce.
I love that the sugars caramelize on the outside of the meat and gives it a nice crust and texture.
It’s so so good!
What is bulgogi?
According to Wikipedia, bulgogi is:
Literally “fire meat”, is a gui made of thin, marinated slices of beef or pork grilled on a barbecue or on a stove-top griddle. It is also often stir-fried in a pan in home cooking. Sirloin, rib eye or brisket are frequently used cuts of beef for the dish.
What does bulgogi taste like?
Bulgogi, to us, is a sweet and savory dish.
There is some sugar added to the dish but then there’s the soy sauce and all the Asian flavors that go into it.
If you’re interested, I do have a bulgogi recipe that my Korean friend’s mother gave her! So it’s legit.
What is kimchi?
It’s a traditional Korean side dish that is of fermented cabbage and sometimes radishes and carrots.
Where can I buy kimchi?
Most supermarkets have it now!
If not, if you have an Asian supermarket, they definitely have it there.
Can I make kimchi myself?
You could but it takes quite a while, haha
What if I don’t like kimchi?
You don’t have to top the burger with kimchi if you don’t want to.
You can do another slaw-type of topping.
What is gochujang?
It’s a spicy, sweet, and savory fermented sauce made from chilies and other ingredients.
What if I can’t find gochujang for the sauce?
You can substitute with sriracha. Not the same flavor profile but close.
Can I use ground beef instead?
You can.
Can this be made in a skillet?
Absolutely.
What can I serve with this bulgogi kimchi burger?
Spicy Chinese cucumber salad would be really refreshing and give it another spicy kick!
Chilled garlic soy cucumbers would be refreshing too!
Bulgogi Kimchi Burger
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) ground pork
- ¼ cup (55 g) dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup (59 ml) soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- Brioche hamburger buns, toasted
For the gochujang mayo sauce:
- 1 tablespoon mayo
- ½ tablespoon gochujang
Topping:
- Fresh kimchi
The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat outdoor grill to high or stovetop skillet to medium high.
- Place ground pork into a large bowl then add brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and onions. Gently mix together with your hands until just incorporated. You don't want to overwork the meat.
- Form into patties - large or small, but not too thick otherwise it'll take forever to cook.
- Grill or cook on the stovetop until fully cooked through.
- Assemble burgers with gochujang mayo sauce and kimchi on top!
Video
NUTRITION FACTS
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
Al
Sunday 26th of March 2023
I used the recipe for a pound and a half of ground pork. Instead of adding more soy sauce and sugar, I grated about an inch of ginger. The family loved it.
Cristina cooks
Saturday 3rd of September 2022
Fantastic! Indeed to add some Pablo for binding. Sautéed the kimchi to dry it out and then minced it for ease of eating. Added American Cheese + some iceberg. My goodness… we LOVED this!
Lara
Thursday 14th of April 2022
I made this last night and "almost" followed it to the letter. I used ground beef and I also topped it with thin cucumber slices with sesame seeds that had marinated in some rice vinegar and a little white sugar. (Oh and topped with a thin slice of cheese.) It was delicious - thank you for the simple and great recipe!!!
Karen
Wednesday 30th of December 2020
Ahhhh soooo gooood! I followed some tips like sauteing the kimchi in sesame oil, chilling the patties in the fridge before cooking, and adding cheese! I smushed two thin patties and stacked it together. Used wheat bread (toasted it after assembling) since I didn't have any bun on hand..so soooo good! Thank you!
Amirissa
Sunday 20th of December 2020
This was a delicious recipe, will definitely be making again. If you want to add some extra goodness, have some mozzarella added on top of the burger as you finish them off.