Even a Premier League star misses his mom’s galbijjim.
A slow-simmered Korean delicacy filled with comfort, memories, and the love of home.
"Even beneath the uniform, he missed the taste of home."
On the pitch, Son Heung-min is pure precision—clean passes, perfect dribbles, unstoppable goals.
Off the field, there's a softer side.
During an interview after a big win, when asked what food he missed most from Korea, he didn’t hesitate.
“Galbijjim. My mom's galbijjim. I think about it all the time.”
There was no glamour in the answer—just sincerity. In that quiet moment, fans saw not the football superstar, but a son remembering a warm dinner table.
Why Do Foreigners Fall in Love with Galbijjim?
Galbijjim isn't just a meat dish. It's an experience.
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Texture that melts in your mouth:
Slowly braised beef ribs are tender enough to fall off the bone, steeped in soy, garlic, pear, and sweet-savory broth. -
Aromatic comfort:
The smell of simmering galbijjim alone feels like a hug.
What Do Foreigners Say?
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Mikey Chen, famous YouTube food vlogger, called it:
“The most luxurious stew I’ve ever had. Sweet, salty, garlicky, and just... wow.”
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At a Korean restaurant in New York, a TripAdvisor user wrote:
"Galbijjim made me feel like I was in someone’s home, not a restaurant. The meat was so tender and soulful."
It’s no surprise that many non-Koreans describe galbijjim as “holiday food” or “comfort food,” even without Korean roots.
A Simple Galbijjim Recipe(for curious hearts)
Ingredients: Beef short ribs, soy sauce, pear juice, garlic, onions, carrots, potatoes
Steps:
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Soak ribs in water to remove excess blood
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Boil briefly, then rinse
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Marinate with soy sauce, garlic, pear juice
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Add vegetables, simmer for 90 minutes until tender
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Reduce sauce until rich and glossy
It’s not a quick dish. But that's the point—it takes time, just like love.
Stars Miss It Too: More Than Just a Meal
From BTS’s Jimin to EXO’s Suho, many K-celebrities have mentioned galbijjim as their go-to “home food.”
In one behind-the-scenes clip, Son Heung-min is seen quietly eating with his family after flying home.
No cheering crowd. No camera flashes.
Just one bowl of galbijjim, and a familiar silence only family brings.
Galbijjim Is Not Just Food. It's a Story.
Korean traditions reserve galbijjim for the most meaningful occasions—Lunar New Year, weddings, birthdays.
When someone serves you galbijjim, it means, “You are important. You deserve this.”
And maybe that’s why it moves people, across cultures.
Because deep down, we all miss something warm, slow, and made with care.
Even stars do. Even Son Heung-min does.