Crispy & Cheesy Kimchi Fried Rice (Pyo Kimchi Bap)
Super Simple Cheesy Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe: Making ‘Pyo Kimchi Bap’ Crispy Outside, Cheesy Inside
On a special day when the kids are away, here’s a spicy treat for the adults! Introducing the ‘Pyo Kimchi Bap’ recipe, which is crispy on the outside and generously filled with melted cheese on the inside. While kimchi fried rice can be a bit cumbersome to make when you have children around, this special recipe offers a unique way to enjoy it. You can use leftover cold rice, or even freshly cooked rice that has cooled down. The rich flavor of cheese combined with the spiciness of kimchi will captivate your taste buds. Let’s start making this simple yet impressive cheesy kimchi fried rice!
Main Ingredients- 1 bowl of well-fermented kimchi (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1 handful of mozzarella or cheddar cheese (about 100g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If you’re using warm rice, scoop it into a bowl and let it cool slightly. This helps prevent the rice grains from clumping together, resulting in fluffy fried rice. (Total for 2 servings)
Step 2
We’ll start by making fragrant green onion oil to enhance the flavor of the fried rice. Remove the leafy parts of the green onion, and finely mince the white and green parts. Slicing them thinly is also a good option.
Step 3
Chop the well-fermented kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 cm). You don’t need to remove too much of the inner core. Chopping them smaller can make the fried rice easier to eat.
Step 4
Heat a wide pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of cooking oil. Add the minced green onions and stir-fry them, being careful not to burn them, until a gentle green onion aroma is released, creating a fragrant green onion oil. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5
Once the green onion aroma is prominent, add the chopped kimchi and turn up the heat to high. Stir-fry the kimchi until it becomes slightly translucent and is cooked through.
Step 6
If the kimchi is too sour, add 1/3 tsp of sugar to mellow out the tanginess. This helps to enhance the savory flavor of the kimchi as it fries.
Step 7
Pour 2 tsp of soy sauce to one side of the pan. Let it bubble slightly on the hot pan before mixing it with the kimchi. This method deepens the soy sauce’s flavor and ensures it coats the ingredients well.
Step 8
Add 1 tsp of gochugaru (red pepper flakes) and stir-fry everything together. Gochugaru adds a vibrant color and a pleasant spicy kick to the kimchi fried rice. Be mindful of the heat to prevent burning.
Step 9
Stir-fry all the ingredients evenly to create a delicious kimchi stir-fry. Let it cool slightly before mixing with the rice.
Step 10
Add the cooled kimchi stir-fry to the bowl of rice.
Step 11
Using a spatula or spoon, thoroughly mix the rice and kimchi stir-fry. Ensure each grain of rice is coated with the kimchi flavor and seasoning for the best taste.
Step 12
Wipe the pan used for stir-frying kimchi clean with a paper towel, or prepare a clean pan. Add 1 Tbsp of butter (or 1 Tbsp of cooking oil) to the pan and melt it over low heat to coat the bottom. The rich, buttery flavor will elevate the fried rice.
Step 13
Once the butter is melted, add the mixed kimchi fried rice to the pan. Spread it out evenly with a spatula, pressing down gently to create a thin layer. Allowing the rice to lightly crisp up on the bottom is a key feature of this recipe.
Step 14
Sprinkle your desired amount of shredded cheese generously over the kimchi fried rice. You can adjust the quantity based on your preference for cheeseiness.
Step 15
Cover the pan with a lid and maintain a very low heat. Allow the cheese to melt slowly from the heat of the pan, blending with the rice, for about 5-7 minutes. Check periodically to ensure the rice isn’t burning.
Step 16
Once the cheese is fully melted and beautifully combined with the rice, carefully fold the kimchi fried rice in half, similar to an omelet. Gently lift it from the pan and transfer it to a plate.
Step 17
Serve the folded kimchi fried rice neatly on a plate.
Step 18
Finally, sprinkle with seaweed flakes if desired. Your ‘Pyo Kimchi Bap’, crispy on the outside and filled with cheese on the inside, is ready! It’s simple yet looks wonderfully appealing.
Step 19
Enjoy it immediately while it’s warm. The rice at the bottom of the pan will form a crispy, golden-brown crust, reminiscent of nurungji (scorched rice). The combination of savory cheese and spicy kimchi is utterly addictive – you’ll find yourself reaching for more!
Step 20
This delicious kimchi fried rice reminds me of my eldest child, who loves kimchi. Of course, this version might be a bit spicy for them, but children generally enjoy kimchi dishes. (For a child-friendly version, reduce the amount of kimchi and adjust the spiciness!)
Step 21
This was the recipe for ‘Cheesy Kimchi Fried Rice (Pyo Kimchi Bap)’, perfect for a simple yet special meal on a weekend or any occasion. We highly recommend you try making it!
