Ssam Lettuce at Korean BBQ: How to Eat It the Korean Way (Pig Company Guide)
If you’ve ever eaten Korean BBQ in Seoul, you’ve probably seen it on every table: a basket of fresh greens, usually called ssam lettuce.
Some people treat it like a side salad. Others ignore it completely and focus only on the meat. But in Korea, ssam lettuce isn’t optional — it’s part of the actual Korean BBQ experience.
At Pig Company, we always recommend trying ssam properly at least once, because it changes everything:
the meal feels less heavy
you taste the meat differently
sauces become more balanced
you understand why Korean BBQ is built for sharing
This guide explains what ssam lettuce is, why Koreans eat BBQ in wraps, how to build the perfect ssam, and what ingredients match best with each meat cut.
What Is “Ssam” in Korean BBQ?
Ssam (쌈) means “wrap” in Korean.
In Korean BBQ, ssam is made by wrapping grilled meat with:
lettuce or leafy greens
sauces like ssamjang
garlic, chili, kimchi, or other toppings
Instead of eating meat alone, you build a single bite that combines:
hot meat + fresh greens + strong condiments
It’s one bite, one wrap, and usually eaten in one mouthful (yes, even if it looks too big).
What Is Ssam Lettuce?
Ssam lettuce is the lettuce used specifically for wraps. In Korea, it’s often served as a mix of leafy greens such as:
lettuce (common “wrap lettuce”)
perilla leaf (깻잎)
mixed greens depending on season
The goal isn’t just “green vegetables.”
The goal is texture and balance.
Ssam lettuce gives Korean BBQ:
freshness
crunch
moisture
contrast against grilled meat
If meat is the main character, lettuce is what keeps the story enjoyable until the end of the meal.
Why Koreans Eat Korean BBQ with Lettuce Wraps
This is the part most tourists don’t realize:
Ssam isn’t just a healthy choice.
It’s a flavor system.
1) Ssam Makes Rich Meat Feel Lighter
Korean BBQ cuts like pork belly, pork jowl, and brisket can feel heavy when eaten alone.
Lettuce adds water and freshness, which helps reset your mouth after each bite.
That’s why you can eat more BBQ without feeling overwhelmed.
2) It Balances Strong Sauces
Korean BBQ sauces are intense on purpose:
ssamjang is salty and deep
gochujang-based sauces are sweet and spicy
garlic is sharp
If you eat these alone, they can overpower the meat.
Lettuce acts like a buffer, making flavors taste balanced instead of aggressive.
3) It’s the Real “Korean Way” to Eat BBQ
Korean BBQ is not just grilled meat. It’s:
grill + wrap + sauces + side dishes
When you eat ssam, you’re eating Korean BBQ the way it’s meant to be eaten — not as a meat-only plate.
4) It Turns BBQ Into a Shared Experience
Ssam culture is interactive:
someone grills
someone builds wraps
everyone shares toppings
people recommend bite combos
That’s why Korean BBQ is a group meal. Ssam is part of the social rhythm.
How to Make the Perfect Ssam (Step-by-Step)
If you want to do ssam right, don’t overcomplicate it. The best wraps are simple.
Step 1: Choose Your Leaf
Start with a piece of lettuce that can hold the ingredients without tearing.
If you have perilla leaf available, it adds a stronger herbal flavor — but lettuce alone is perfectly classic.
Step 2: Add Your Meat (Not Too Much)
The biggest mistake beginners make is adding too much meat.
One bite should be balanced, not overloaded.
Choose 1–2 pieces depending on size.
Step 3: Add a Small Amount of Ssamjang
Ssamjang is powerful. You don’t need a lot.
A little adds:
salt
fermented depth
mild sweetness
Too much will dominate everything.
Step 4: Add One “Sharp” Ingredient (Optional)
Pick one:
raw garlic
green chili
grilled kimchi
One is enough. Korean wraps are about contrast, not chaos.
Step 5: Wrap It Tight and Eat in One Bite
Yes — one bite is the Korean way.
It’s not for show. It’s because ssam tastes best when:
hot meat stays hot
lettuce stays crisp
flavors hit at once
Best Ssam Combinations by Meat Cut (Pig Company Style)
If you want the best wrap pairing, match your ssam to the meat.
Pork Belly (Samgyeopsal) Ssam Combo
Best wrap:
lettuce + pork belly + ssamjang + garlic
Optional:grilled kimchi
Why it works: pork belly is rich, lettuce keeps it clean.
Pork Neck (Moksal) Ssam Combo
Best wrap:
lettuce + pork neck + ssamjang
Optional:pickled onion (if available)
Why it works: pork neck is meatier, ssam makes it feel even more balanced.
Thin-Sliced Beef Brisket (Chadolbagi) Ssam Combo
Best wrap:
lettuce + brisket + salt/sesame oil dip (light touch)
Why it works: brisket is quick and rich, lettuce stops it from feeling too heavy.
Marinated Pork Bulgogi Ssam Combo
Best wrap:
lettuce + bulgogi + chili or kimchi
Why it works: bulgogi is sweet-savory, ssam keeps it from tasting too sugary.
Pork Jowl Ssam Combo
Best wrap:
lettuce + jowl + small ssamjang + green chili
Why it works: jowl is rich, so you want a sharp topping to cut through it.
Is Ssam Lettuce “Healthy”? (Yes, But That’s Not the Main Point)
A lot of people assume lettuce wraps are about being healthy. It’s true that greens help, but the bigger reason Koreans love ssam is flavor balance.
Still, there are clear benefits:
more vegetables in the meal
less heaviness from fatty cuts
better pacing (you eat more slowly)
But the real reason you’ll keep eating ssam is simple:
it tastes better.
Common Mistakes People Make with Ssam Lettuce
Mistake 1: Treating Lettuce Like a Side Salad
Ssam isn’t “extra greens.” It’s the main eating format.
Mistake 2: Using Too Much Sauce
Ssamjang is strong. Use less than you think.
Mistake 3: Overfilling the Wrap
A perfect ssam is balanced. Overfilling makes it messy and ruins the bite.
Mistake 4: Not Using Any Sharp Ingredients
One piece of garlic or chili transforms the wrap. Don’t skip it.
Why Pig Company Serves Ssam Lettuce with Korean BBQ
At Pig Company, we serve ssam lettuce because Korean BBQ should feel complete.
A proper Korean BBQ meal should include:
meat you’re excited to grill
sauces that add character
and wraps that bring balance
Ssam lettuce isn’t decoration — it’s the difference between feeling “overstuffed” and feeling satisfied.
It also helps guests enjoy multiple cuts in one meal without everything tasting the same. The wrap creates variety, bite after bite.
Final Thoughts: If You’re Eating Korean BBQ, Eat It as Ssam at Least Once
Ssam lettuce is one of the simplest parts of Korean BBQ — but it’s also the most important if you want the full experience.
It makes grilled meat:
lighter
more balanced
more Korean
and more addictive
So if you’re at Pig Company, don’t treat lettuce as optional.
Make one wrap the proper way.
Then you’ll understand why Koreans never eat BBQ without it.
find us here!
Gangnam Location
Address : 2nd Floor, Gangnam-daero 98-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours : 11:30AM to 11:30PM daily
Contact : (+82)2-2-561-8891
Hongdae Location
Address : 28, Hongik-ro 5-an gil, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours : 11:30AM to 12:00AM daily
Contact : (+82)2-322-8891
Myeongdong Location
Address : 3rd Floor, Myeongdong 3-gil 44, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hours : 11:30AM to 2:00AM daily
Contact : (+82)2-318-2990
