A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Beef Bulgogi
A popular Korean grilled meat dish, pronounced with a clear 'ghee' sound at the end.
beef bulgogi
BEEF bool-GOH-ghee
/bif bʊlˈɡoʊ.ɡi/ · beef · bool · goh · ghee
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's also a popular dish to make at home and frequently appears in food blogs and cooking shows.
Where the word comes from
The word 'bulgogi' comes from Korean 'bul' (불), meaning 'fire', and 'gogi' (고기), meaning 'meat'. It literally translates to 'fire meat'.
Common ways people get it wrong
- bif bʊlˈɡoʊ.ɡi Some might pronounce the 'g' in 'gogi' like the 'j' in 'judge', but it's a hard 'g' sound like in 'go'.
- bif bʊlˈɡoʊ.ɡi The final syllable is 'ghee', rhyming with 'see', not 'guy'.
Frequently asked
What does bulgogi mean?
Bulgogi is a Korean term that literally means 'fire meat'. It refers to thinly sliced marinated meat, usually beef, that is grilled.
Is bulgogi spicy?
Traditional bulgogi is not typically spicy, as the marinade is usually soy sauce-based with sweet and savory flavors. However, some variations might include chili paste for heat.
