Two popular types of Korean pork

Hello! Today, let’s learn about two popular types of Korean pork: 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal) and 대패삼겹살 (daepae-samgyeopsal).

Both come from pork belly, but their thickness, texture, and cooking times are quite different.

1. 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal)

삼겹살 is pork belly cut into thick slices. The name literally refers to the three visible layers of meat and fat.

• 삼 (sam): three

• 겹 (gyeop): layer

• 살 (sal): meat or flesh

At Korean barbecue restaurants, diners usually grill samgyeopsal at the table and eat it with garlic, dipping sauce, and leafy vegetables.

In English, it can be explained as: thick-sliced pork belly or simply Korean pork belly

• 삼겹살을 구워 먹었어요.
  Samgyeopsal-eul guwo meogeosseoyo.
  I grilled and ate some samgyeopsal.I

2. 대패삼겹살 (Daepae-Samgyeopsal)

대패삼겹살 is pork belly sliced into extremely thin pieces.

The word 대패 (daepae) means “wood plane,” a tool used to shave thin layers from wood. The pork is named after the thin, curled shavings produced by this tool.

In English, it can be explained as: shaved pork belly or very thinly sliced pork belly

• 대패삼겹살은 아주 얇아요.
  Daepae-samgyeopsal-eun aju yalbayo.
  Daepae-samgyeopsal is very thin.

Because the slices are so thin, they cook quickly and become crisp around the edges.

Note!

Is 삼겹살 Similar to Bacon?

Samgyeopsal and bacon come from the same part of the pig: the belly. However, they are prepared differently.

Bacon is usually cured with salt and may also be smoked. Samgyeopsal is normally fresh, uncured, and unsmoked. It also tends to be cut much thicker than typical bacon.

Therefore, samgyeopsal can be described as fresh, thick-cut pork belly rather than bacon.

✨ Today’s Korean Words

삼겹살 (samgyeopsal): fresh, usually thick-sliced pork belly
대패삼겹살 (daepae-samgyeopsal): extremely thinly sliced or shaved pork belly
대패 (daepae): a wood plane used to shave wood

Which do you prefer—삼겹살 or 대패삼겹살?

One Korean expression a day,make it yours!

하루에 한 표현을 내 것으로!