Kimchi Fried Rice
Chef Baek Jong-won’s ‘Kimchi Fried Rice’ Recipe with Two Fried Eggs
Kimchi fried rice is a success if your kimchi is delicious! This dish can surprisingly be easy to mess up. Let’s learn how to make it perfectly with Baek Jong-won’s recipe! This recipe focuses on achieving a balanced flavor profile, making it a delightful meal even for beginners.
Ingredients
- 1 bowl of well-fermented aged kimchi (approx. 200g), chopped
- 1 can of Spam or luncheon meat (approx. 100-150g), diced
- 1/2 cup of green onion (approx. 50g), chopped
- 3 tsp cooking oil
- 1/2 tsp soy sauce
- 1/3 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/3 tsp sugar
- 1 bowl of cooked rice (approx. 200g), preferably warm
- 1 egg (or 2, to your preference)
- A pinch of roasted seaweed flakes
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Heat 3 teaspoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions and diced Spam. Stir-fry until the green onions are fragrant and lightly browned, and the Spam is golden brown. This process helps to infuse the oil with aromatic flavors.
Step 2
Once the Spam is nicely browned, add 1/3 teaspoon of sugar to one side of the pan. Let it melt and caramelize slightly before stirring it into the Spam and onions. Cooking the sugar this way enhances the savory flavor of the Spam.
Step 3
Add 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce and 1/3 teaspoon of gochugaru to the pan. Stir-fry everything together to create a flavorful sauce base. Be careful not to burn the soy sauce; slightly reduce the heat if necessary and stir quickly.
Step 4
Now, add the chopped kimchi (aged kimchi works best for a tangier flavor!) to the pan. Reduce the heat to low and stir-fry gently. Cook until the kimchi softens and loses some of its sharp sourness, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5
Once the kimchi is well-cooked and coated with the sauce, add 1 bowl of warm cooked rice. Use a spatula or ladle to gently break apart the rice clumps and mix them thoroughly with the kimchi mixture. Ensure every grain of rice is evenly coated with the delicious seasoning. (Tip: You can turn off the heat after adding the rice, break up the clumps, and then quickly stir-fry over high heat at the end for a chewier texture.)
Step 6
Transfer the kimchi fried rice to a serving plate. Top with one or two perfectly fried eggs (sunny-side up is recommended!). Garnish with roasted seaweed flakes and toasted sesame seeds for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your delicious homemade kimchi fried rice!
