[1] Gui most commonly has meat or fish as the primary ingredient, but may, in some cases also have grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients.

The term derives from the verb gupda (굽다), which literally means "grill".

[2][3] At traditional restaurants, meats are cooked at the center of the table over a charcoal grill, surrounded by various banchan and individual rice bowls.

The cooked meat is then cut into small pieces and wrapped with fresh lettuce leaves, rice, thinly sliced garlic, ssamjang (a mixture of gochujang and dwenjang), and other seasonings.

Meat-based grilled dishes are collectively called gogi gui (고기구이).