How to make Korean tacos at home
Posted by Cyrus Farivar on May 31, 2009[Image: David Dickey/Gourmet]
Everyone seems to be enjoying Korean (and other fusion tacos) in Los Angeles lately. There’s another Korean truck in Portland. And don’t forget about Marination Mobile, the new Hawaiian-Korean fusion truck hitting Seattle soon!
But what if you’re nowhere near Los Angeles or the Pacific Northwest? Fear not.
Gourmet magazine has done some homework and has come up with a few Korean taco recipes for your to try at home, reprinted below:
BULGOGIAdapted from Kye Soon Hong
Makes enough for about 18 tacos
Note: the same marinade may be used for kalbi, thin-sliced bone-in short ribs
• 1 1/2 pounds beef rib eye, thinly sliced (preferably from a Korean or Japanese market)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons mirin
• 2 teaspoons waterCombine all ingredients and marinate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Cook meat on a grill or in a skillet, then chop for tacos.
DWAEJI (SPICY PORK) BULGOGI
Adapted from Kye Soon Hong
Makes enough for about 12 tacos
• 1 pound pork shoulder, thinly sliced (preferably from a Korean or Japanese market)
• 3 tablespoons coarse-ground hot Korean red pepper powder
• 1 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• pinch of black pepperCombine all ingredients and marinate at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Cook meat on a grill or in a skillet, then chop for tacos.
KIMCHI FRIED RICE
Adapted from Kye Soon Hong
Makes about 5 cups, enough for 4 burritos
• 4 cups cooked rice, cooled and chilled in refrigerator
• 4 strips bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 cups Napa cabbage kimchi, the riper the better, diced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• salt
• sesame seeds, for garnish
• sliced scallions, white and green parts, for garnish1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the kimchi and cook several minutes.
2. Raise the heat to high, add the rice and stir-fry several minutes, until rice is beginning to brown.
3. Stir in butter and sesame oil. Season with sesame seed and salt to taste and garnish with scallions.
NAPA-ROMAINE SLAW
Makes about 6 cups, enough for many tacos, with leftovers
For the dressing:
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sugarFor the salad:
• 4 cups (5 ounces) shredded romaine lettuce
• 2 cups (3 ounces) shredded Napa cabbage
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) thinly sliced onion
• toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Toss the salad in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon of the dressing. Add more dressing to taste and garnish generously with sesame seeds.
In other news, the city of Yountville, CA has approved its first taco truck! No word on when or where it will be open. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.


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Never had Korean tacos before. They look really enticing. Thanks for sharing.
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