If it's your first time going into a Korean BBQ, especially as a foreigner rolling with locals, you may feel like you're entering a completely different world. The bustle of your party, the sizzling grills, the rest of your party ordering a bunch of food while you're confused over all the little side dishes; the waiter asked you something in Korean, and are just now trying to figure out which meat is which on the menu.

Don't worry about it. As always, I got you. This is like your survival kit so that you don't just sit there nodding while your friends order everything.

Here are the dishes you should order if you want to feel like you've been doing K-BBQ your entire life.

Samgyeopsal (삼겹살) – Grilled Pork Belly 

This is the Beyoncé of Korean BBQ. It’s a thick cut of pork belly with no marinade, just delicious slabs of meat sizzling on the grill till it is golden and crispy. You take a piece, dip it in ssamjang (that's spicy bean paste), wrap it up in your piece of lettuce, with some garlic, and some kimchi, and pop it in your mouth in one bite. That’s the law. If you went to K-BBQ and did not order samgyeopsal, you were just there for the vibes.

Galbi (갈비) – Marinated Beef Ribs 

Now this is what you call luxury. Galbi is marinated in soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil until it is dripping with flavor. When it goes on the grill, the wonderful medley of flavors can make a vegetarian want to try meat (sorry, not sorry). If samgyeopsal is the leading role, then Galbi is the award-winning best supporting character.

Dak galbi (닭갈비) – Spicy Grilled Chicken

This one is for the spice champs. I mean, people who breathe spicy food for a living. Dak galbi is chicken marinated in a gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce that’s sweet, smoky, and spicy at the same time. It cooks fast on the grill, and once you smother it in some kimchi or rice, then your taste buds are going to start singing soundtracks like in a K-Drama.

Chadolbaegi (차돌박이) – Thinly Sliced Beef Brisket

This one is so thin, it cooks in about 5 seconds flat. It’s that speedy in the BBQ realm. Because there is no marinade, you dip it straight in sauces or even just salt-and-sesame oil for that simple, melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Think of it as the intro track of your BBQ playlist; light, fast, and surprisingly addictive.

Moksal (목살) – Pork Neck 

Don't be put off by the name. This is a total sleeper. It's fatty, juicy, and packs more flavour than the regular pork belly cut. Once you grill it and get some colour on the meat, it's going to emit a smoky, "I'm about to impress you" vibe. If you want to look like a local K-BBQ guru, just order moksal, and everyone else at the table will nod to you in respect.

Now that you're armed with the essentials, hopefully, there will be no more awkwardly pointing at the K-BBQ menu and saying, "I'll have...whatever that guy's having." Now you can walk confidently into any K-BBQ and order like you've been eating K-BBQ since the moment you came out of the womb.

So, tell me, which of these will you add to your K-BBQ starter pack?