불고기
bulgogi[puɭɡo̞ɡi]
Bulgogi is the Korean term for a popular Korean dish, referred to as 불고기 (bulgogi).
Meaning: a Korean dish (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 불 (fire) and 고기 (meat), literally meaning "fire meat".
How do you pronounce it?
bulgogi
Did you know?
- The tender texture of 불고기 is traditionally achieved by using pear or apple juice in the marinade, which contains enzymes that break down the meat fibers.
- While 불고기 is now associated with marinated beef, it originally referred to any meat cooked over an open fire, including wild game.
- The word 고기 (meat) is a native Korean word, unlike many other food terms in Korean which are borrowed from Chinese characters.
Examples in context
- 불고기를 주문할게요.I will order bulgogi.
- 친구들과 불고기 먹으러 갈 거예요.I'm going to eat bulgogi with my friends.
- 불고기가 정말 맛있어요.bulgogiga jeongmal masisseoyo.The bulgogi is really delicious.
- 점심으로 불고기를 먹었어요.jeomsimeuro bulgogireul meogeosseoyo.I ate bulgogi for lunch.
- 식당에서 불고기를 주문하세요.sikdangeseo bulgogireul jumunhaseyo.Please order the bulgogi at the restaurant.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 도현 Do-hyeon저녁에 뭐 먹을까요?jeonyeoge mwo meogeulkkayo?What shall we eat for dinner?
- 지은 Ji-eun불고기 어때요?bulgogi eottaeyo?How about bulgogi?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요, 불고기 먹으러 가요.joayo, bulgogi meogeureo gayo.Sounds good, let's go eat bulgogi.
- 지은 Ji-eun근처 식당으로 가요.geuncheo sikdang-euro gayo.Let's go to a nearby restaurant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bulgogi” translations and entries 불고기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
