The Prometheus Myth: BBQ Tradition Is Born
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There is nothing like the scent of smokey charcoal and burning wood on a lazy summer afternoon. Once the winter chill is gone, it’s time to break out your charcoal-laced grill. Cooking on the kitchen stove is satisfying, that’s true. But there is something much more primal and deeply elemental in preparing your favorite meat and vegetables over a real raging fire.
We don’t know if the myth about Prometheus stealing the fire from Gods and gifting it to humans is true or not. But if it’s true, we should be forever grateful to him for it! On our side of the globe, barbeque season means grilling up ribs while trying to resist temptations to buy outdoor grills from the catalog. Other cultures have their own unique barbeque traditions you have never heard about! In this article, we discover six unique grilling traditions from around the world:
Korean Gogigui
Korean barbeque, mostly known as Gogi Gui, has taken the world by storm along with the rise of K-pop and mukbang videos. This dish comes in many sizes; it can be a perfect option for big parties and romantic dinners.
The food preparation process looks a bit different in Korea. If you want to do everything according to tradition, you need to put the tabletop grill at the center of the table and then allow your guests to grill food of their choice. They could either choose traditional umami-marinated beef called bulgogi, or kalbi short ribs and neobiani grilled beef. There are also many veggie-based side dishes (with kimchi being the most important) and aromatic sauces, and doenjang (fermented bean paste). The rule is simple – you are the chef, so if you like it, you grill it.
Indian Tandoori and Chula
India’s barbeque tradition originated centuries ago among nomadic groups that used clay ovens for cooking meat. Today, tandoor ovens look like cylinders with thick walls and a heat source in the middle. Chefs place food into this “oven” through a hole at the top. In this charcoal-flamed grill, they prepare the most iconic Indian dishes. You probably heard about naan bread and tandoori chicken here and there.
Another India’s best-kept secret is a brick oven called chulha. It has a cube shape with a hole cut in the front for feeding the fire. Over it, you place pots filled with aromatic dishes. If you ever tried Indian chapati, it probably came out of one of those devices. Here you can see the whole mesmerizing grilling process.
Argentine Asado
Argentina has the world’s top-rated beef and one of the unique barbecue traditions. Asado is the name of the grilling technique and the whole event, an epitome of Argentine gastronomy. The meat (typically beef) is cooked on a custom-made brick grill called la Parilla and flamed with charcoal.
Though this tradition originated in Argentina, it is also popular in many South American countries, like Chile and Uruguay.
One of the most exciting things about this barbecue style is that people grill whole animals using iron crosses. Does it sound interesting? If so, you can find plenty of videos from Asado festivals on YouTube, just like this one.
Hawaiian Luau Feast
Hawaiian luau barbecue is one of the most joyful experiences for foodies! You don’t even need to use a conventional grill to prepare a great meal. If you want to make Hawaiin-style barbecue, you need to place a kalua pig in a sandpit known as an imu, and then place some rocks on the top and light it on fire. It’s important to cook meat for at least a few hours until the fire goes out.
Luau feast is not only a cooking event accompanied by traditional music rhymes, but it’s also an ancient Hawaiian ritual meant to unite people in celebration of life.
Thai Charcoal Cooker
These cookers are small and portable and made specifically for cooking the thinnest slices of meat and vegetables. You will find it in most Thai households, as it is extremely useful. It is usually made out of clay and has two “cooking levels.” The first one is reserved for meat and vegetables. The second one is for juices that drip down during the cooking process. Interestingly enough, you can later make a nutritious soup with this juice.
Barbecue Is a Universal Language
While we all speak different languages and have our unique cultures, grilling delicious meat and veggies is a universal tradition we all share. While Americans bring out their stainless steel outdoor grills for Independence Day celebration, Korans celebrate over pulled pork and kimchi, and Indians use their tandooris and spices for cooking the most aromatic dishes known to exotic food connoisseurs.
No matter who you meet during a summer hike or a beach holiday, barbecue is a universal language we all understand and appreciate.
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