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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
Equipment
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
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!
Great recipe. Used spicy kimchi. My first time to have bulgogi & I loved it. Thanks.
Yum! These were really easy to make and super flavorful!
Just made these tonight for dinner and they were delicious!! Followed the recipe almost exactly, and I made 3 giant patties out of 1 lb of pork because I only had 3 buns. Cooked in a Le Creuset on the stove 10-15 min until the meat was 160 degrees.
I was a little worried about my patties because they were a little loose/wet compared to normal burgers but they cooked up perfectly! Already shared the recipe with some friends and can’t wait to make them again. Thanks for such a good recipe!!
This. Was. Super! My husband had doubts, I had high hopes being Korean American, and neither of us were disappointed! I cooked the kimchi til fragrant in a bit of sesame oil. Thanks!
Love the burger ! I had tweek it a bit, reducing the sugar to 2 T, added 1/4 teaspoon each freshly grated ginger, garlic and chopped green onions. 1/4 c panko and an egg. Formed patties and had them sit in the fridge for about 30 mins to firm up! Delicious! Will be a weekly staple in our family!!
So happy to hear this!
Absolutely delicious! My son ate three! I’m making it as sliders for a dinner party next week. The flavors are fabulous.
I am so happy to hear this!! We love the flavors of this one too!
This looks so delicious! Definitely making this the next time I head to the grocery store. Thank you for sharing!
It’s so good! You’ll love it!
These burgers are unbelievable! I used store bought the spicy kimchi and gochujang mayo. I’ll be making these again… soon!
Thanks for the feedback!! So glad you loved these!
This sounds fabulous. I must try this!
I hope you love it!
I always had “the look” when I saw the word bulgogi. I could not imagine eating anything with that name! Now that I see your friend’s recipe, I’m all in! I will definitely be making this and I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for clarifying, Julie!
Haha, enjoy!