Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos
Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos are a fusion dish that combines sweet-savory Korean-style marinated beef with the handheld style of Mexican tacos. They’re popular because they balance smoky, salty, sweet, spicy, crunchy, and tangy flavors all in one bite. Member’s Mark™ Fine Ground Black Pepper and Garlic Powder add the perfect amount of flavor to this popular recipe!
What are Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos?
What “Bulgogi” Means
Bulgogi is a classic Korean dish made from thinly sliced beef — often ribeye or sirloin — marinated in ingredients like:
- Soy sauce
- Garlic
- Sesame oil
- Brown sugar or pear
- Ginger
- Green onion
The beef is usually grilled or quickly cooked in a hot skillet until caramelized and slightly charred.
What Makes it a Taco
The cooked bulgogi beef is tucked into tortillas instead of being served traditionally with rice and Korean side dishes.
Typical toppings include:
- Kimchi
- Crunchy cabbage slaw
- Pickled cucumbers or carrots
- Cilantro
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Spicy mayo or gochujang sauce
Corn tortillas give a slightly earthy flavor, while flour tortillas make them softer and more burrito-like.
Flavor Profile
Korean beef bulgogi tacos are:
- Sweet and savory from the marinade
- Smoky from grilling
- Tangy from kimchi or pickles
- Spicy from gochujang or sriracha
- Fresh and crunchy from slaw and herbs
They’re rich but still feel bright because of the acidic toppings.
Popular sides to serve with them
Great pairings include:
- Korean street corn
- Cucumber salad
- Sesame fries
- Fried rice
- Edamame
- Pickled vegetables
- Asian slaw
Korean Beef Bulgogi Tacos
Ingredients
For the Beef Bulgogi Marinade
- 4 tbsp Toasted sesame oil
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger grated
- ¼ cup Soy sauce
- ¼ cup Light brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp Member's Mark™ Fine Ground Black Pepper
- ¼ cup Hot water
For the Korean Beef Tacos
- 1½ lb Flank steak
- 12-14 small 6-inch flour tortillas
- 1 small Purple cabbage shredded
- ⅓ bunch Fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 Avocado sliced
For the Taco Sauce
- ⅓ cup Sour cream
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Member's Mark™ Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Sriracha
- 2 tbsp Fresh lime juice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all marinade ingredients.
- Thinly slice beef against the grain and place in medium bowl. Pour marinade over sliced meat and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight for best results. Let beef stay at room temp 30 min before cooking.
- Heat a large, heavy non-stick pan on high heat. Add meat and sauté without stirring for 2-3 min or until lightly browned. Stir and continue cooking additional 3-5 min, stirring occasionally or until fully cooked, liquid has evaporated, and the sauce has caramelized on the beef.
- Heat tortillas on a hot dry skillet or directly on the grates of your gas stove-top, turning frequently.
- Stir together all taco sauce ingredients.
- To assemble tacos, place meat over toasted tortillas and top with purple cabbage. Add sprigs of cilantro, diced avocado, and drizzle generously with taco sauce.