Dinner

Korean Bulgogi Beef Tacos

Name: Korean Bulgogi Beef Tacos
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 500 g rib-eye, very thinly sliced against the grain 45 ml soy sauce 30 ml brown sugar 15 ml toasted sesame oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 5 ml fresh ginger, grated 15 ml neutral oil 2 cups finely shredded cabbage 1 small carrot, julienned 15 ml rice vinegar 5 ml sugar 1/2 tsp salt 8 to 10 small tortillas kimchi, for serving sliced scallions, for serving toasted sesame seeds, for serving lime wedges

Prep

20 Minutes

Cook

10 Minutes

Savory-sweet Korean bulgogi beef tacos bring caramelized edges, quick slaw, and plenty of contrast in one fast dinner.

Ingredients

500 g rib-eye, very thinly sliced against the grain 45 ml soy sauce 30 ml brown sugar 15 ml toasted sesame oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 5 ml fresh ginger, grated 15 ml neutral oil 2 cups finely shredded cabbage 1 small carrot, julienned 15 ml rice vinegar 5 ml sugar 1/2 tsp salt 8 to 10 small tortillas kimchi, for serving sliced scallions, for serving toasted sesame seeds, for serving lime wedges

Instructions

1
Whisk the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger until smooth. Add the beef and toss until evenly coated. Let it sit while you make the slaw. Toss the cabbage and carrot with rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1 teaspoon oil until lightly dressed but still crisp. Heat a wide skillet or wok over high heat and add a little neutral oil. Cook the beef in batches in a single layer until dark at the edges and lightly caramelized, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the beef to a plate and repeat with the remaining batches. Warm or char the tortillas. Assemble by adding slaw first, then kimchi, then the beef, and finishing with scallions and sesame seeds.

Best Served With

lime wedges, charred corn, cucumber salad, or extra kimchi

Cook's Note

Slice beef as thinly as possible so it sears quickly and catches color before it overcooks. Cook in batches and keep the pan hot, or the meat will steam instead of caramelize.

Why This Recipe Works

Thin-sliced beef cooks fast and picks up deep color from the sweet-savory marinade. The flavor follows the same fast, balanced logic as All-Purpose Savory Marinade , while crisp slaw and kimchi cut through the richness so the tacos stay balanced instead of heavy.

Make It Yours

Add gochujang to the marinade for more heat and depth. Swap rib-eye for sirloin or flank steak. Use lime juice in the slaw for a brighter finish. Add sliced cucumber for extra crunch. Use flour tortillas for a softer taco.