Unlike many barbecue traditions that rely on generic briquettes, Korean BBQ thrives on a unique type: sut 숯 (soot), a charcoal crafted from Korean oak with meticulous care. Now, let’s start reading about “What charcoal does Korean barbecue use? Best Allure of Sut 숯 2024”.
The Information About Korean Barbecue – sut 숯
Unlike many barbecue traditions, Korean BBQ relies on a specific type of charcoal – sut 숯 (soot) – a traditional Korean wood charcoal made from oak. The sizzling of meat, the smoky aroma, the vibrant community around the grill – Korean barbecue is an experience that transcends mere sustenance. But fueling this culinary journey is a crucial element often overlooked: the charcoal.
Sut is more than just fuel; it’s the heart of the Korean barbecue experience. Made from carefully selected sections of Korean oak, sut undergoes a meticulous process. The wood is deprived of oxygen through controlled burning, removing all water and vaporous elements. This results in a dense, black charcoal that burns exceptionally hot and clean.

What charcoal does Korean barbecue use?
The high heat produced by sut is perfect for Korean barbecue. Thinly sliced meats like bulgogi and samgyeopsal cook quickly on a sut-fired grill, locking in their juices and creating the signature char that adds depth to the flavor. Additionally, sut burns with minimal smoke, ensuring the delicate flavors of the meat and marinades shine through. This clean burn is also crucial for the convivial atmosphere of Korean barbecue, where diners gather around the grill without being overwhelmed by smoke.
The long-lasting nature of sut adds another layer of practicality. A single batch of sut can keep the grill hot throughout a lengthy Korean barbecue session, ensuring a steady flow of perfectly cooked meat. This eliminates the need for constant refueling, allowing diners to focus on the social and culinary aspects of the meal.
While sut is the traditional choice, finding it outside of Korea can be challenging. However, there are alternatives. Lump charcoal made from hardwood offers similar burning characteristics – high heat and minimal smoke. Some stores even sell Korean BBQ-specific charcoal, which may be a type of lump charcoal or compressed briquettes designed for smokeless burning.
Finding the Best sut 숯 for Your Business
Using our unique heating method, we maintain stable temperatures inside the kiln and ensure even carbonization of the hardwood raw materials with high yields. We use the “dry method” throughout the cooling process, allowing the flame to die out on its own without any intervention. This results in lump charcoal that is fully carbonized, has a high calorific value, and low moisture content. We do not spray water to accelerate the cooling process since it will increase the water content, which will deteriorate the resulting charcoal quality.
High-quality sut 숯 that has been thoroughly carbonized has a glossy black color, especially on the inside, and does not break easily. It has a solid structure with no gaps and produces a loud, crisp sound when dropped from heights, which demonstrates a minimum moisture content following proper carbonization.
In here, we carry out strict quality control and best practices in each step of our production processes, from the selection of raw materials to waste management and environmental sustainability. We carefully inspect the physical appearance of the high-quality Korean wood charcoal to ensure the charcoal has low moisture, high calories, and long burning time. Only qualified batches of high-quality sut 숯 will be packed and shipped to our clients.
We also offer private label or OEM services to help you grow your business to the next level and win market shares. We gladly accept custom wood requirements and custom packaging with your own branding to differentiate your brand in the marketplace and build awareness. We will work together with you to create the perfect high-quality Korean wood charcoal for your market from start to finish. Your brand, your packaging, our factory.
Conclusion
Korean barbecue relies on sut, a unique type of charcoal made from Korean oak. Sut’s high heat, clean burn, and long-lasting nature create the perfect environment for cooking the thin, marinated meats that are the cornerstone of this culinary tradition. While finding sut might be difficult outside of Korea, lump charcoal or specific Korean BBQ charcoal – sut 숯 can offer a suitable substitute, allowing you to recreate the magic of Korean barbecue at home.