How does the role of *gui* in a typical Korean meal contrast with Western barbecue?
*Gui* often serves as a textural counterpoint within a larger spread, unlike Western barbecue which centers on meat.
The context and function of grilling differ significantly between Korean and Western culinary traditions. In Western barbecue, the term often implies that a large piece of meat serves as the singular, central focus of the entire cooking event and meal. In contrast, within the structure of a typical Korean home meal, the grilled component (*gui*) frequently acts as an important, sometimes smaller, element introduced specifically to provide textural variety and smoky depth alongside other dishes like stews (*jjigae*) and accompanying small side dishes (*banchan*). Thus, *gui* functions as a textural foil within a diverse spread, rather than the sole primary focus.
