Nutritious Oyster Rice (Gulbap) – A Golden Recipe Bursting with Ocean Flavors
Experience the Sea in Every Bite! A Flavorful and Nutritious Oyster Rice Recipe
As a huge fan of oysters, I love making this oyster rice packed with plump oysters. When you mix it with the savory seasoning sauce, it feels like you’ve brought the entire ocean to your table! I recently bought a lot of fresh oysters and stored them in my kimchi refrigerator, so I need to use them up quickly. This means it’s time for oyster rice, oyster seaweed soup, and oyster pancakes – we’re practically becoming an oyster restaurant! #OysterRice #OysterSeaweedSoup #OysterPancake #OysterRecipes
Rice Ingredients- 200g Rice (approx. 1.5 cups)
- 200g Fresh Oysters
- 2 Fresh Shiitake Mushrooms
- A small amount of Dried Seaweed (Myeok)
- Cheongju (Rice Wine) for deodorizing
Seasoning Sauce Ingredients- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the rice thoroughly and let it soak in cold water for about 30 minutes. Soaking the rice helps it cook up fluffy and perfectly textured.
Step 2
Soak the dried seaweed in lukewarm water until it softens, then finely chop it. If you’re using dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrate them as well. You can use the soaking water from the mushrooms to cook the rice for an extra layer of umami! Finely chop the rehydrated shiitake mushrooms.
Step 3
Place the cleaned oysters in a small bowl and cover them with a splash of Cheongju (rice wine). This step is crucial for removing any potential fishy odor from the oysters, allowing their natural, sweet flavor to shine through.
Step 4
Drain the soaked rice and place it in a heavy-bottomed pot, like a cast-iron pot. Add water, using a slightly less amount than the rice volume for a firmer texture. For example, if you have 1.5 cups of rice, use about 1.3 cups of water. Oyster rice is best when slightly drier than regular rice.
Step 5
Arrange the rehydrated seaweed and chopped shiitake mushrooms over the rice. Add half of the prepared oysters on top. Once the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and let it steam for about 10 minutes.
Step 6
Here’s a secret to double the oyster goodness! Instead of adding all the oysters at once, reserve half of them. Add the remaining oysters during the last few minutes of cooking. This ensures they stay plump and perfectly cooked, complementing the first batch.
Step 7
After 10 minutes, carefully lift the lid and gently place the remaining half of the oysters on top of the rice. Cover again and let it steam for another 5 minutes to cook the oysters.
Step 8
While the rice is steaming, let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning sauce. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, gochugaru, toasted sesame seeds, and sesame oil. For an extra touch of freshness and aroma, finely chopped chives can be added to the sauce.
Step 9
Your nutritious oyster rice, infused with the deliciousness of oysters, fragrant seaweed, and chewy shiitake mushrooms, is now ready! Gently fluff the rice with a spatula to avoid crushing the ingredients.
Step 10
Look at this beautiful, nourishing oyster rice! The combination of ingredients promises a delightful taste of the sea.
Step 11
Scoop the warm oyster rice into individual bowls. Add a generous spoonful of the prepared seasoning sauce and mix well. This is the perfect, nourishing meal made with seasonal winter ingredients.
Step 12
See how plump and intact the oysters are? Adding them in two stages really makes a difference in texture!
Step 13
Here’s the golden recipe for delicious oyster rice: Divide the oysters and add them in two stages while cooking. Also, remember to soak the oysters in Cheongju beforehand to remove any fishiness. Follow these tips, and you’ll make fantastic oyster rice every time!
Step 14
Serve the oyster rice with the chive-infused seasoning sauce. Mix it in well – right hand, left hand – and savor the incredible taste that transports you to the seas of Tongyeong. It’s truly delightful!
Step 15
Enjoy your flavorful oyster rice with a side of kimchi made from autumn radishes. With just these two, you won’t need any other side dishes. It’s a royal feast fit for an emperor!
