Golden Recipe! Baek Jong-won’s Kimchi Fried Rice
Hearty and Satisfying Solo Meal! Baek Jong-won’s Kimchi Fried Rice Golden Recipe
Here’s Baek Jong-won’s kimchi fried rice recipe, perfect for using up ripe kimchi and creating a delicious solo meal. It’s simple yet packed with deep flavor, making it an ideal quick and satisfying dish. Even slightly under-fermented kimchi can be transformed into something amazing with this recipe!
Main Ingredients- 2 bowls of cooked rice (day-old rice recommended)
- 1 bowl of well-fermented kimchi
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1/2 cup ham or bacon (to taste)
- 1/2 onion (optional)
- 2 eggs (for fried egg topping)
Seasoning for Fried Rice- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the kimchi, the star ingredient of kimchi fried rice. Well-fermented, ripe kimchi yields the best flavor, but this recipe can also liven up slightly under-fermented kimchi. Instead of using a cutting board, which can absorb the kimchi juice and make cleaning difficult, place the kimchi in a bowl and snip it with scissors. This keeps things tidy and allows the seasoning to penetrate better. Use about one bowl’s worth of kimchi for a rich flavor.
Step 2
Next, prepare the additional ingredients that will enhance the flavor of your fried rice. For the signature ‘scallion oil’ in Baek Jong-won’s kimchi fried rice, chop about one whole stalk of green onion. Dice the ham (or bacon) into small cubes according to your preference. If you like a bit of crunch, you can add about half an onion, sliced or minced. (While Baek Jong-won’s original recipe doesn’t include onion, it adds a pleasant texture.) Finally, set aside two eggs for making fried eggs to serve on top.
Step 3
It’s convenient to make the fried eggs before you start stir-frying the rice. This way, you won’t have to use the frying pan again after the rice is done, saving you from extra washing up. Cook the eggs to your desired doneness – sunny-side up or over-easy – and set them aside on a plate.
Step 4
Now, let’s begin stir-frying. Heat about 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry until they release their fragrant aroma, creating scallion oil. Infusing the oil with scallion flavor is key to achieving the deep taste of kimchi fried rice.
Step 5
Once the scallion oil is fragrant, add the diced ham (or bacon) and onion to the pan. Stir-fry them together until they are lightly browned. You can also substitute ham or bacon with canned tuna or ground pork for a different variation of kimchi fried rice.
Step 6
When the added ingredients are nicely sautéed, add the finely chopped kimchi. You can chop the kimchi into larger pieces if you prefer, but smaller pieces blend better with the rice for a more enjoyable texture. I personally prefer finely chopped kimchi for its texture.
Step 7
Stir everything together and stir-fry over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, ensuring the ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to burn the ingredients.
Step 8
Now it’s time to season the fried rice. Add 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes (gochugaru) and stir-fry briefly with the kimchi to toast the flakes and remove any raw taste.
Step 9
Next, add 1/2 tablespoon of sugar to balance the sourness of the kimchi and enhance the overall flavor profile.
Step 10
Pour in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Here’s a pro tip from Baek Jong-won: tilt the pan to one side and let the soy sauce bubble up along the edge before mixing it in. This caramelizes the soy sauce slightly, deepening its flavor and adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
Step 11
Add the 2 bowls of cooked rice. For the best texture in fried rice, it’s ideal to use cold rice or rice that has been cooked and then cooled. Using cold rice prevents the grains from clumping together, resulting in perfectly fluffy and delicious kimchi fried rice.
Step 12
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Gently toss the rice to combine it with the seasonings without mashing the grains. Continue stir-frying for another 1-2 minutes until the rice is well coated and heated through. Transfer the finished kimchi fried rice to a serving bowl and top it with the pre-made fried egg. Your delicious Baek Jong-won kimchi fried rice is ready to enjoy!
