Bulgogi is a Korean dish of thin-sliced beef (usually sirloin or ribeye) marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil, then grilled or pan-seared over high heat. The marinade tenderizes the meat and builds a sweet, savory, umami-rich flavor, and the char from grilling adds a smoky edge. It traces to older Korean grilled-meat dishes such as maekjeok and neobiani, which evolved by the 20th century into the more accessible dish eaten today. Bulgogi is typically served with steamed rice and banchan (Korean side dishes), and is often wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves with condiments like ssamjang or gochujang.