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Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)

BBQ & Meat

Thick-cut grilled pork belly — Korea's default BBQ night.

Korean name
삼겹살
Spice level
Not spicy
Flavor
savory · smoky
Typically contains
pork
Vegetarian / vegan
Not vegetarian — meat or seafood is core to the dish
Also written as
samgyupsal, samgyeobsal, pork belly, korean bbq pork belly

Spice and flavor are editorial assessments of the standard version — individual restaurants and recipes vary. Ingredient notes are typical, not guaranteed: always check with the restaurant for allergies or dietary needs.

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살)

What is Samgyeopsal?

Samgyeopsal is thick-cut pork belly — no marinade, no sauce — grilled right at your table and eaten the moment it crisps. The name literally means 'three-layer meat', after the streaks of fat that make it sizzle.

What makes it Korean isn't the pork, it's the ritual around it: scissors instead of knives, a leaf of lettuce in your palm, a dab of ssamjang, and a one-bite wrap you build yourself. It's the default choice for group dinners and the easiest Korean BBQ for a first-timer — nothing is spicy unless you add it.

🥢 How to eat it like a local How to Eat Samgyeopsal (Korean BBQ Pork Belly) Like a Local
🍳 How to make it at home How to Cook Samgyeopsal at Home: No Oil, No Marinade, No Mystery

Nutrition

Calories467 kcal
Carbohydrate0.35 g
Protein22.56 g
Fat41.69 g
Sodium576 mg

Per serving (~200g): ≈934 kcal · sodium ≈1,152 mg (58% of the WHO daily guideline, 2,000 mg)

Per 100g · total serving 200g · Official data: National Integrated Food Nutritional Information Standard Data (Korea MFDS) (DB item: 삼겹살구이, synced 2026-07-17). Values vary by recipe and portion.

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