Perfect Stir-Fried Kimchi: A Delicious Side Dish Using Overripe Kimchi
Transforming Sour Kimchi into a Delicious Dish: Stir-Fried Kimchi Recipe
What do you usually make when your kimchi turns sour? Stews, pancakes, or fried dishes, right? Overripe kimchi is incredibly delicious when stir-fried or simmered! So, this time, I decided to make stir-fried kimchi using my slightly aged kimchi. It’s a fantastic side dish that perfectly complements rice!
Main Ingredients- 1/8 head of overripe kimchi (approx. 200-250g)
- 3 Tbsp perilla oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 0.5-1 Tbsp sugar (adjust based on kimchi’s sourness)
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For a delicious batch of stir-fried kimchi, prepare 1/8 of a head of overripe kimchi. If you make too much at once, you might not finish it and it won’t get eaten, so I recommend making small batches frequently! This way, you can always enjoy fresh and tasty stir-fried kimchi.
Step 2
In the past, I used to lightly rinse overripe kimchi before stir-frying. However, nowadays, to preserve the original flavor of the kimchi, I just squeeze out the excess liquid from the seasoning and then stir-fry it. You can simply squeeze out the seasoning water from the kimchi with your hands. Then, cut the kimchi into bite-sized pieces. If they’re too large, they’ll be difficult to stir-fry, and if they’re too small, the texture might be less satisfying, so cutting them into a manageable size is best.
Step 3
Heat a stir-fry pan over medium-low heat. Add 3 tablespoons of perilla oil and 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. The nutty aroma of perilla oil and the right amount of cooking oil will help soften the kimchi and enhance its flavor.
Step 4
Once the pan is hot, add the pre-cut kimchi and begin to stir-fry lightly. Because stir-fried kimchi can easily burn due to the seasoning, it’s crucial to cook it slowly over medium-low or low heat. For the sugar, start with 0.5 tablespoon to balance the sourness, and taste as you go. If the kimchi is very sour, you might want to increase it up to 1 tablespoon.
Step 5
Continue stir-frying until the white parts of the kimchi are fully cooked, turning translucent and a deep red color. The key is to cook the kimchi until it feels tender and well-done! Once the kimchi has a mouthwatering color, finish by sprinkling a generous amount of toasted sesame seeds for added nuttiness. Served over warm rice, it’s an absolute delight!
