Aromatic Scallion Oil Kimchi Fried Rice
The Ultimate Kimchi Fried Rice Made with Scallion Oil at Home
This dish reminds me of the song ‘A Girl Who Looks Good in Jeans’ that was popular when I was in middle school. Do you want to be known as a girl who makes great kimchi fried rice? Just like the lyrics in Byun Jin-sub’s ‘Wishlist,’ everyone loves delicious kimchi fried rice. I originally wanted to make kimchi pancakes last night, but ended up making this flavorful kimchi fried rice infused with aromatic scallion oil. Try making this delightful meal with this recipe!
Main Ingredients- Well-fermented kimchi
- Warm cooked rice
- Fresh green onions
- Spam (or canned ham)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- Eggs
- Seasoned seaweed (optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Sesame oil
- Cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Instead of cutting kimchi on a cutting board, which can stain it and be a hassle, place the kimchi in a bowl and snip it into bite-sized pieces with kitchen scissors. This method is tidier and requires less cleanup.
Step 2
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and sauté slowly until they become fragrant and lightly golden. This process creates flavorful scallion oil, which significantly enhances the depth of flavor in your kimchi fried rice. TIP: Avoid high heat to prevent burning the scallions; slow cooking extracts their aroma effectively.
Step 3
Prepare ingredients to add extra flavor to your kimchi fried rice. Adding ham or minced meat makes it even more delicious. I had Spam in the fridge, so I diced it into small cubes. If using canned ham, draining excess oil can lead to a cleaner taste.
Step 4
Add the prepared scallion oil and diced Spam to the hot pan and stir-fry together. Once the Spam is lightly browned, add the snipped kimchi and half a tablespoon of gochujang. Stir well to combine. Be mindful of the Spam’s saltiness and avoid adding too much gochujang. TIP: If your kimchi is too sour, adding a tiny pinch of sugar (about 1/4 teaspoon) can help balance the flavors.
Step 5
Honestly, this mixture alone is incredibly delicious! The spicy and sweet seasoning, savory Spam, and fragrant scallion oil create a wonderful harmony. ^^;;
Step 6
Now, add the cooked rice to the pan and stir-fry until all ingredients are well combined. It’s important to gently mix the rice with a spatula, ensuring each grain is coated with the flavorful seasoning. Take your time with this fundamental step of frying the rice.
Step 7
The crowning glory of kimchi fried rice! Prepare a fried egg. Cooking it to a sunny-side-up with a runny yolk will add a creamy richness when mixed with the rice. Lightly oil the pan, crack an egg into it, and cook just the egg white until the yolk remains liquid.
Step 8
Finally, drizzle a circle of sesame oil around the edge of the pan to add a final layer of aromatic flavor. The nutty aroma of sesame oil will spread throughout the fried rice, making it even more delectable.
Step 9
Transfer the finished kimchi fried rice to a serving plate. Top it with the perfectly cooked sunny-side-up egg. I love seasoned seaweed, so I placed some crispy seaweed strips on the side of the fried rice. You can also sprinkle seaweed flakes over the top, according to your preference.
Step 10
Sprinkle with sesame seeds for an extra nutty crunch, and your delicious scallion oil kimchi fried rice is complete! Enjoy this special meal prepared with this recipe.
