These are seriously the best Korean beef tacos EVER. The tender beef quick slaw amazing sauce is so easy to make and tastes so good that you’ll dream about it for a long time.
There are some meals you eat simply to sustain necessary life, and then there are those meals. You know the ones. The meals that you can’t stop thinking about, that you could eat every day and still want more, that set the bar for every other meal you eat from then on up.
These crazy, crazy, crazy good Korean beef tacos definitely fall into the latter category. They are so incredible, you guys. I’ll be sad if you don’t find a way to experience the deliciousness as soon as possible. Like maybe today would be good?.
The succulent, flavorful beef bathed in simple but dramatic flavors is the definite star of the show. Tender and caramelized, it’s whoa-good. And dangerously easy to keep snitching piece by piece from the pan. This recipe might need a disclaimer that says: if you have more self-control than Mel, you might get tacos in the end.
Korean beef tacos have become a sensation, and for good reason. Savory, sweet bulgogi beef marries perfectly with warm corn tortillas But the right side dishes can take your Korean taco experience from great to epic.
The flavors of bulgogi, like soy, sesame, garlic, and ginger, pair well with a variety of sides. Cool, crunchy components help balance the rich beef. Fermented kimchi adds tang A touch of spice keeps things interesting And fresh, bright produce brings everything together.
Read on for 21 sensational sides to serve alongside your Korean beef tacos. From kimchi to mango salsa, these dishes complement the tacos perfectly.
1. Kimchi
You can’t have Korean food without kimchi, and beef tacos are no exception. The fermented cabbage and radish provide the perfect pungent, sour contrast to the sweet marinated beef. Keep a jar of kimchi in the fridge to top your tacos with or serve it on the side. The bold, spicy flavor is addictive.
2. Pickled Cucumbers
Quick pickled cucumbers are easy to make and add great crunch to tacos. Simply soak sliced cucumbers in a mix of rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper for 30 minutes. Drain and top your tacos or enjoy them on the side. The pickles cut through the richness.
3. Daikon Radish Salad
Shredded daikon radish and carrots dressed in a bright vinegar mixture makes a refreshing salad. Daikon has a crisp, mild flavor that pairs well with the seasoned beef. Carrots add sweetness while the vinegar dressing cuts the fattiness.
4. Asian Cucumber Salad
This cool, crunchy salad has just a few simple ingredients, like English cucumbers, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes. It’s super easy to throw together and gives a nice fresh, acidic crunch alongside the tacos.
5. Quick Soybean Sprout Salad
Soybean sprouts have an earthy, nutty flavor that complements Korean beef well. Toss the sprouts with sliced onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and a dash of fish sauce for an easy, protein-rich salad.
6. Cabbage Slaw
Shredded green and red cabbage tossed with carrots, cilantro, and an Asian vinaigrette makes a colorful slaw. For the dressing, combine soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and honey. The crisp slaw balances the rich taco fillings.
7. Mango Salsa
The sweet juiciness of mango salsa freshens up the palate between tacos. Dice mango with red onion, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeño for a salsa that pops with flavor. The tangy sweetness pairs perfectly with the Korean beef.
8. Edamame Succotash
Make a quick succotash by sautéing fresh or frozen corn and edamame with garlic and red pepper flakes. The sweet corn and savory soybeans complement the tacos wonderfully. Toss in cherry tomatoes for extra color.
9. Cucumber Sunomono
This light Japanese cucumber salad soaked in a sweet vinegar dressing provides nice contrast beside the tacos. Simply soak thinly sliced cucumbers in rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and dashi powder. Chill for 20 minutes before serving for cool, tangy crunch.
10. Asian Pear Salad
Thinly sliced Asian pears, romaine lettuce, and radishes topped with a soy vinaigrette is an easy, flavorful salad. The sweetness of the pears goes great with the beef. Toast sesame seeds to sprinkle on top for extra crunch.
11. Cilantro Lime Coleslaw
To make this super simple dressed coleslaw, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss with shredded cabbage and carrots for a tangy, herbaceous side to serve with tacos.
12. Vietnamese Banh Mi Slaw
This spicy slaw mimic’s the fillings of a banh mi sandwich. Toss shredded cabbage and carrots with rice vinegar, sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, cilantro, mint, cucumber, jalapeño, and roasted peanuts. The flavors marry wonderfully with Korean beef.
13. Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Silken tofu lightly cooked with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic makes a great light, protein-filled taco topper or lettuce wrap filling. Cut the tofu into strips or crumbles and serve the savory sauce alongside for drizzling.
14. Garlic Baby Bok Choy
Briefly stir fry sliced baby bok choy with minced garlic, sesame oil, and soy sauce for a simple side. The fresh, crisp greens brighten up the rich tacos. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds for extra texture.
15. Kale Kimchi
Make kimchi with chopped kale instead of cabbage for a super healthy taco topping. Mix the kale with spicy gochugaru paste, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and rice flour. Ferment for a few days to let the flavors develop before trying it on your tacos.
16. Korean Potato Salad
This flavorful spin on potato salad has potatoes, carrot, onion, cucumber, and hard-boiled egg tossed in a spicy gochujang mayo dressing. The slight heat is fantastic with the sweet bulgogi beef in the tacos.
17. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Cubes of sweet potato roasted until caramelized and tender make a sweet, satisfying accompaniment. Toss the sweet potato chunks with oil, cumin, chili powder, lime juice and cilantro before roasting for delicious flavor.
18. Sesame Snap Peas
Blanch snap peas briefly then toss them with toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds for an easy side with lovely sesame notes to complement the tacos. The crisp texture balances the rich beef filling.
19. Korean Spinach Salad
Fresh spinach topped with sesame seeds, shredded carrot, cucumber, and an umami soy dressing is excellent alongside the tacos. Use soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds for the dressing.
20. Stir Fried Shiitake Mushrooms
Meaty shiitake mushrooms stir fried with garlic, soy sauce, and brown sugar caramelize beautifully. Shiitakes have a great umami flavor that pairs wonderfully with the seasoned beef in the tacos.
21. Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
Fluffy jasmine rice cooked in an Instant Pot is a breeze and perfect for tacos. The neutral grains soak up the delicious flavors of the beef and toppings. Cook jasmine rice with a 1:1 rice to water ratio then let the pot release pressure naturally for tender grains.
Put Together a Korean Beef Taco Bar
Offering a variety of sides allows people to customize their tacos and puts out an impressive spread. Set up your own Korean taco bar at home with a few different components:
- Bulgogi beef and warm tortillas
- Assorted crunchy vegetables like cabbage, radishes, cucumbers
- Fermented kimchi and pickles
- Fresh salsas and chili sauces
- Cool, creamy components like mango salsa and cucumber sunomono
- Rice, beans, or grains like jasmine rice or edamame succotash
- Fried crispy components like tofu or roasted potatoes
With an array of sides and toppings to load their tacos up with, your guests will be coming back for seconds and thirds. Elevate your next Korean taco night by complementing the star filling with a variety of fresh, tasty sides and condiments. The possibilities are endless, so get creative with colors, textures, flavors and try new dishes along with the classic kimchi.
What Type of Beef is best?
I highly recommend flank or skirt steak for this recipe. Both are great cuts of beef for marinading and slicing thinly.
Beef short ribs or other types of steak, like sirloin or round, could be used instead, but the beef might not be as tender. However, I like to cook the steak in a cast iron or nonstick skillet, but I’ve added a quick note to the recipe about how to grill it instead.
The star of the show is the crazy good Korean beef, but the quick slaw and sauce to end all sauces give it a run for its money. Both are easy to make and taste great together. The tortilla, tender beef, tangy vegetable slaw, and spicy creamy sauce are the main reasons I can’t stop thinking about this meal.
When I look at these pictures, it’s hard for me to type coherent thoughts because all I want to do is make sure that these Korean beef tacos are on the menu for dinner tonight.
Let’s talk about that sauce
That creamy, spicy sauce is so tasty you’re going to want to drizzle it on EVERYTHING.
That version has already shown up in this quick and easy banh mi flatbread recipe, and I’m not sure we won’t see it in at least 100 more recipes before this blog is over. It’s a testament to me how a few, simple, pantry-staple ingredients can combine into something so completely magical.
These Korean beef tacos are a total explosion of flavor and texture. I’m not the only one who goes bananas over them, either. The last time I made them, my 12-year-old son and I were arguing over who would clean up dinner first, so the last bits of beef in the pan could be “cleaned up” without anyone noticing.
While the list of ingredients may seem daunting, I promise that everything comes together super fast. Both the quick slaw and the sauce to end all sauces can be made in advance. And because the beef marinates for at least 4 hours (or up to 24 hours!), putting it all together takes very little time (20 minutes or less).
Every recipe I post on this blog makes me happy, but I can’t wait to hear what you think of these Korean beef tacos. I hope they rock your world like they’ve rocked mine.
Korean Beef Tacos – Marion’s Kitchen
What to serve with Korean tacos?
Many restaurants in Korea will add their variations to Korean tacos, such as different marinades or additional ingredients like cheese and mayonnaise. When serving Korean tacos, it’s best to serve them with a side of rice and a small salad. This will help balance out the savory taste of the Korean tacos.
What food goes well with kimchi?
Foods that go well with kimchi are Korean barbecue pork, avocado toast, Korean dumplings, shrimp pineapple fried rice, braised short ribs, cheese omelette, kimchi loaded fries, beer-battered fish tacos, chicken wings, Korean sushi rolls.
What to serve with Korean beef?
The best side dishes to serve with Korean beef are fried rice, cilantro lime rice, quinoa salad, macaroni salad, Brussels sprouts, charro beans, broccoli, stuffed peppers, zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, spicy cucumber salad, kimchi fried rice, Korean green salad, bao buns, and radish salad. Now, let’s get cooking! 1. Fried Rice
What are Korean tacos?
Korean tacos are a variation of this dish that uses Korean ingredients instead of Mexican ones. The most common Korean taco recipes include marinated bulgogi, kimchi, and gochujang. The taste of Korean tacos varies depending on the ingredients in the recipe.