When most people think of Philly cheesesteaks, they think of the traditional American dish made with thinly sliced beef, onions, and cheese. However, did you know that you can also make a Philly cheesesteak with Korean ingredients? Yessir! You heard that right. Korean Fusion at its finest baby. In this article, I will show you how to make a Korean BBQ Philly Cheesesteak using Bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef) and Kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage). So if you’re looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy your favorite sandwich, read on! Even if you don’t really like Philly cheesesteaks, read on anyways! Who knows, maybe I could convince you to try it. Cheers!
Disclaimer: “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I hope to use it to buy ingredients for my next new recipe. Thank you for your support!”
What is a Philly Cheesesteak?
The Philly Cheesesteak is a sandwich that was created in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is made up of thinly sliced beefsteak, sautéed onions, and melted cheese on a hoagie roll. The cheesesteak has been around for quite some time, with the first mention of it being in the 1930s. Its popularity has only grown since then and can be found all over the United States. I often find myself going all the way to Philly from NYC just to get another bite of that delicious goodness. Man, a bite that you won’t forget!
How is it made?
Honestly, all the Philly restaurants, food trucks and places where they serve these sandwiches are so quick at their craft that I’m not really able to watch how they make them. I did my own research and found out that in order to make an authentic Philly Cheesesteak, you need some thinly sliced beef, sautéed onions, and provolone cheese at minimum. You can either buy these ingredients pre-made at a grocery store or make them yourself.
If you want to make them yourself:
Start by heating up a pan on medium heat and adding some oil (I like using a good quality extra virgin olive oil). Cut the beefsteak into thin strips and add them to the pan. Sauté the beef for 3-5 minutes or until it is browned. Then, add in the onions into the pan with all that delicious fat from the beef and sauté for an additional 5 minutes or until they are softened. Lastly, add the cheese and allow it to melt.
To assemble the Philly Cheesesteak, you may toast the hoagie roll with a little bit of butter or oil. Then, add in the beefsteak strips with sautéed onions and top with melted cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Variations on the traditional recipe
There are many variations of the Philly Cheesesteak, but the most popular is the one with thinly sliced beef, sautéed onions, and melted cheese. However, you can get creative with it and add in your own favorite ingredients. For example, some people like to add mushrooms or peppers. I especially love adding in some jalapeño peppers and maybe some Truff mayo for a nice spicy kick.
Another Variation
Another variation that is becoming increasingly popular is the Korean-Style Philly Cheesesteak, which is what my recipe is all about. This version replaces the traditional beef with Korean BBQ Bulgogi and replaces the American cheese with provolone cheese. Furthermore, I like to add some fresh kimchi into the mix to be sautéed with the bulgogi and onions. This adds a nice spicy and textured bite. The combination of flavors is amazing and will leave you wanting more. It’s to DIE for!
How to make a Korean-Style Philly Cheesesteak (Step-by-step + Video Tutorial)
1. Start by heating up a pan on medium heat and adding some oil. Cut the bulgogi into thin strips and add them to the pan. (Or use the pre-sliced ones from the Korean market). Sauté the bulgogi for 3-5 minutes or until it is browned.
Snag my easy and delicious Bulgogi Recipe here!
2. Then add in the onions and kimchi and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes or until they are softened. (You could even cook the onions together with the bulgogi).
3. Lastly, add the scallions and provolone cheese and allow it to melt (Cover the pan with a lid to speed up the process).
4. To assemble the Korean-Style Philly Cheesesteak, toast the hoagie rolls with some butter or oil and add in the sautéed kimchi and bulgogi topped with melted cheese and scallions. Serve immediately and enjoy!
The best places to get a Philly Cheesesteak in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is home to the original Philly Cheesesteak and there are many places where you can get a great one. However, if you want the best of the best, then these are the five places you need to check out.
1. Dalessandro’s Steaks (600 Wendover St, Philadelphia, PA 19128) – 2700+ reviews on Yelp here
Dalessandro’s is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving up some of the best Philly Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia for over 60 years. They use only the freshest ingredients and make everything from scratch. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten here. But this is place is awesome. You can’t go wrong with their classic Philly Cheesesteak.
2. Tony Luke’s (39 E Oregon Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148) – 1900+ reviews on Yelp here
Tony Luke’s is a popular chain with several locations throughout Philadelphia. They are known for their signature Philly Cheesesteak, which is made with USDA choice beef and served with crispy onions on a toasted Amoroso roll. I loved this place more than Jim’s Steaks. This is my other favorite spot that I used to go to grab a sandwich before heading to the riverfront for a nice meal and view.
3. Jim’s Steaks (400 S St, Philadelphia, PA 19147) – 2700+ reviews on Yelp here
Jim’s Steaks is another Philadelphia favorite and has been serving up steaks since 1939. They are known for their delicious cheesesteaks, which are made with fresh ingredients and served on a warm, toasted roll. Back in 2015, I used to buy a sandwich and head straight to the riverfront for an awesome view with my meal. You should try it! It’s my secret getaway spot from all the high stress and fast pace of NYC.
4. + 5. Pat’s King of Steaks + Geno’s Steaks (1237 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147) – 4200+ Reviews and 3400+ Reviews on Yelp, respectively found here.
Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks are two of the most famous Philly Cheesesteak joints in the city and are a must-try for any cheese steak lover. They’re known to be “rivals” located right across the street from each other. I always find myself going back there just to get one from each store and judge which one tastes better. They are known for their delicious and juicy cheesesteaks, which are made with fresh ingredients and served on a warm, toasted roll. In my opinion, Pat’s is definitely the King. My wife would say otherwise, but I’ll let you be the judge.
What is the best cheese to use for Philly Cheesesteak?
There are many different types of cheese that can be used for Philly cheesesteaks, but the most popular is provolone. Provolone is a smooth and creamy cheese that melts perfectly and pairs well with the other flavors in the dish. If you can’t find provolone, mozzarella or American cheese are good substitutes.
What cut of meat is used for Philly Cheesesteak?
The most popular cut of meat for Philly cheesesteaks is the Ribeye! Ribeyes are a tender and juicy cut of beef that are perfect for grilling. Other good choices for Philly cheesesteaks include:
flank steak
skirt steak
hanger steak
Just remember to always trim any excess fat before cooking your steak and season them with salt, pepper, and herbs.
How do you store and reheat the leftovers?
Personally, I almost NEVER have leftovers (I’m a big fat lover of these sandwiches). That being said, Philly cheesesteaks are best eaten fresh, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge for a few days. My wife usually eats half and leaves the other half in the fridge for the next day. Simply place it in an airtight container and store it in the middle or top shelf of the fridge. To reheat, place the cheesesteaks in a microwave-safe container and heat them on high for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, you can also use an air fryer and heat at 360 for 3-5 minutes.
The nutritional value
Philly cheesesteaks are high in calories and protein. A single sandwich can contain more than 800 calories and 50 grams of protein. My Korean-Style Philly Cheesesteaks contain about 966 calories per sandwich. They are also high in saturated fat and sodium. If you’re looking for a healthy alternative or you’re worried about special dietary restrictions, try making your own Philly cheesesteak using grilled chicken or turkey instead of beef and use a little less soy sauce and sugar.
So there you go! I think it’s safe to say that Philly cheesesteaks are popular and amazing sandwiches in America, but they can be made even more delicious by adding a Korean twist! The combination of bulgogi and kimchi makes for an amazing flavor profile that will amaze your taste buds. Be creative with how you assemble your sandwich and feel free to add other ingredients like onions or peppers. I hope you enjoy this recipe on how to make a Korean Philly Cheesesteak as much as I do! Let me know in the comments below what YOU love in your sandwich.
If you’re looking for more Korean Fusion recipes, check out these other YangYummm favorites:
Bulgogi Beef – Either thinly slice it yourself or buy it pre-sliced from H-Mart (like this)
Hoagie Buns – The traditional bread used for Philly Cheesesteaks (but you may substitute with French Baguette or Hero Rolls)
Unsalted Butter – To toast the buns (may use olive oil instead)
Onions + Scallions – for added flavor
Kimchi – For extra Korean flavor and texture
Provolone – the traditional cheese used in Philly Cheesesteaks (may swap with American, or other cheeses or even mix them in together)
Sesame seeds – for garnish (optional)
Korean BBQ Philly Cheesesteak
Equipment
- 1 nonstick skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb Bulgogi beef, raw marinated & thinly sliced (may use pork or other meats and may buy pre-sliced and pre-marinated from store)
- 2 Hoagie Buns (may use french baguette or hero rolls)
- ¼ cup Kimchi, roughly chopped
- 1 (4oz) small onion, thinly sliced
- 2-3 scallions, chopped into 1" pieces
- 6 slices provolone cheese (may swap or mix with other cheeses)
- 1-2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (OPTIONAL)
Instructions
- Toast your hoagie buns first on a nonstick skillet with some melted unsalted butter. Set aside.
- Heat up a nonstick skillet on medium-high heat and saute your marinated bulgogi for about 3-5 minutes (flipping halfway to cook each side). About 1 minute before finishing, add in your chopped kimchi and cook together for about 2 more minutes.
- Add in your scallions and provolone cheese and cover with lid. Lower heat to med-low and cook for about 1 minute until cheese is fully melted. Then, remove from heat.
- Assemble your sandwich: Open your toasted hoagie buns. Place your bulgogi and kimchi stir fry on top with the melted cheese. Finish with sesame seeds and enjoy! Yummmy!
Video
Notes
- Feel free to add on some more toppings like: Truff mayo, hot sauce, pickled jalapenos, sliced mushrooms, peppers, lettuce and tomato.
