Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds rib-eye or other well-marbled steak
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unrefined sugar
  • 13 cup stout or porter
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 scallions, minced
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 Asian pear, peeled and grated
  • cooked sushi rice
  • large lettuce leaves
  • scallions, chopped
  • slivered chiles
  • fresh herbs, like Thai basil, shiso, mint and cilantro
  • radishes, thinly sliced
  • baby carrots, peeled and quartered
  • Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced and marinated briefly with seasoned rice vinegar
  • chile flakes
  • garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • sriracha or other chili sauce

Method

  • Wrap the steak in plastic and place it in the freezer while you put together the marinade.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar, beer, garlic, scallions, pepper, sesame oil, honey and Asian pear.
  • Take the steak out of the freezer and slice it across the grain into 1/4-inch-thick strips.
  • Stir the steak into the marinade and let it sit for 30 minutes, while you build a very hot fire or preheat a gas grill to its highest setting.
  • When the grill is very hot, sear the steak until nicely caramelized, 2 or 3 minutes on each side.
  • Work in batches to avoid crowding the meat.
  • Serve the beef with condiments and make ssam (Korean-style wraps) by folding a piece of steak or two, some rice, vegetables and herbs inside a lettuce leaf.