Do you know what is the most famous food in Texas, the hometown of cowboys? That is “barbecue”. Authentic Texas-style barbecue is becoming more and more popular not only in the United States but also in the world, and Korea is no exception. Last year, in a TV liberal arts program, a well-known anchor visited the old Dezhou barbecue restaurant. Since then, various media have rushed to introduce Texas barbecue.
Why is Texas barbecue famous?
Even in Texas, the way of barbecue is slightly different in each region. I would like to introduce the barbecue in central Texas, where I am an exchange student. When we hear the word “barbecue”, the common barbecue that comes to mind is the Central Texas style. It is said that it originated from Czechs and Germans who settled in central Texas in the 1840s. At that time, immigrants raised cattle on the vast land of Texas, and many ran butchers. Therefore, in order to preserve the leftovers, they started making bacon and serving it to the guests. This practice became so popular that today’s Texas barbecue was born.
Unlike Korean barbecue, where meat is directly cooked at high temperature for a short time, Texas barbecue slowly cooks hard meat until it becomes soft and juicy. Using native oak and hickory wood, using only smoke and hot roasting, without direct contact with the fire, the meat absorbs the natural smoke and obtains a unique flavor. The cooking time varies with the type of meat. “Brisket” is 12 to 18 hours, “Pork Ribs” is 9 to 12 hours. Bake for about 1 hour.
Austin Local Flavor Texas Barbecue
I went to a famous restaurant to try the local-style Texas barbecue. Take Franklin, who has been rated as the best barbecue restaurant in Austin for many years, for example. The waiting time is more than five hours, and the inventory will quickly run out, so you may have to wait until dawn to eat something. It’s a pity that I couldn’t visit Franklin, but under the recommendation of the locals, I went to a restaurant where you can taste the taste of Texas barbecue.
When you enter the restaurant, you will choose a side menu before ordering the meat. The side menu includes smoked sausage, brioche, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw and cheese, all of which have a German flavor. Especially you can see many people enjoying barbecue while eating beer.
I ordered 1.5 pounds of brisket and ribs, two rows of sausage, brioche, coleslaw and cheese. The most popular side dish is brioche, even the clerk told us. It is usually reasonable to order 1/2 to 2/3 pounds of meat per person.And because the characteristic of Texas Barbecue is to eat with white bread, it comes with its own bread, so there is no need to order it separately. In the process of placing an order, I think the method may be a bit tricky. For tourists or exchange students visiting Texas, in many cases they are not familiar with barbecue food, but if you do not understand barbecue knowledge or how to order, then it seems a bit difficult to estimate the quantity of food.
Finally, the food we ordered came out. The visual effect is great, isn’t it? Eating is very simple. Put the right amount of meat on the bread. There are also brioches, salads, kimchi and onions, which we ordered as a side menu. You can also add sauce, but be aware that the meat and vegetables are seasoned, so if you add too much sauce, the liver may count. Add the right amount of sauce, roll the bread into a round shape, and start eating!
My Texas barbecue in Austin exceeded my expectations. The meat is very tender and has a unique taste. The price is not too expensive relative to the quantity, so you can choose from a variety of side menus, and the taste will vary according to the combination of ingredients in the bread. It is said that after eating a few times, you will find a way that suits your taste. However, don’t forget that the meat is too thin, it’s hard to eat without bread, otherwise the greasy meat will become a burden!
But did you know that there are also Texas barbecue restaurants in Korea?
The Texas barbecue I tried when I was reminiscing in Austin, South Korea
Dezhou barbecue restaurant located in Jiangnan Station. The rustic wood interior creates a quaint atmosphere, and you will be mistaken for Texas as soon as you enter the restaurant.
Unlike the locals, the types of food sold in Korean Texas BBQ restaurants are very diverse. The barbecue menu includes a platter for 1, 2, and 3 people. If the quantity is not enough, you can order extra meat and bread. In addition to the side menu that can be eaten with the barbecue, you can also order burgers, rice types, salads and nachos. I ordered a party set, which included a three-person platter, farmhouse salad and potatoes.
Finally, the food we ordered came out. The visual effect is great, isn’t it? Eating is very simple. Put the right amount of meat on the bread. There are also brioches, salads, kimchi and onions, which we ordered as a side menu. You can also add sauce, but be aware that the meat and vegetables are seasoned, so if you add too much sauce, the liver may count. Add the right amount of sauce, roll the bread into a round shape, and start eating!
Surprisingly, its taste is very similar to the barbecue I ate in Texas. The meat is tender and tastes strong, similar to American barbecue. Of course there are others. The meat seasoning is not as strong as in the United States. It suits the taste of Koreans. I can taste the sweetness. The difference in the side menu is that breakfast bread is served in the United States instead of white bread, and in the case of corn salad, the difference is that the cream cone contains more vegetables than the cream cone made of only cream and corn. Interestingly, everyone who meets a local barbecue says that they miss the brioche they eat in the United States. It must remind you of the soft and sweet brioche mixed with meat, right?
As I said before, there are some differences, but I think the atmosphere of Texas and the taste of barbecue are well preserved. For a moment, I felt like I was in Texas. And because the meat has a relatively weak seasoning and the side dishes familiar to Koreans such as French fries, I think even those who are new to Texas barbecue can try it without hesitation.
Due to the recent Corona 19 issue, South Korea has increased social distancing, and overseas visits are restricted all over the world, so it seems difficult to eat barbecue directly in Texas, USA for the time being. However, I think you can taste the taste of Texas even in Korean specialty stores. If Corona 2.5 is relieved, you still have a chance, why not try Texas Barbecue in nearby South Korea?