Pork Belly Fried Rice: The Irresistible Taste of a Korean BBQ Restaurant at Home!
Create an irresistible Korean BBQ restaurant-style fried rice with pork belly in just 10 minutes! This dish surpasses regular kimchi fried rice with its deep, rich flavor, and the chewy texture of the pork belly. Master the art of Korean BBQ fried rice with our special sauce recipe.
The ultimate rival to kimchi fried rice! This is a Korean BBQ style fried rice born from the fusion of generous pork belly and a secret sauce. You can make it in a short amount of time, approximately 10 minutes, and experience the true essence of pork fried rice. We’ve included detailed recipes and tips to make it easy for anyone to follow. It will bring you the joy of home-cooked meals that rival eating out.
Fried Rice Ingredients
- 100g Pork Belly (or Pork Shoulder/Leg)
- 1 bowl of warm rice (approx. 250g)
- Approx. 10g Carrot
- Approx. 10g Onion
- Approx. 10g Green Onion (white parts preferred)
- 1/3 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 7g)
- Approx. 60g Well-fermented Kimchi
Special Korean BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 Tbsp Store-bought Gochujang (Korean chili paste) (approx. 10g)
- 1/3 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) (approx. 10g)
- 1/3 Tbsp Oyster Sauce (approx. 6g)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 5g) – reduce to 1/4 Tbsp (approx. 2-3g) for less sweetness
- 1/2 Tbsp Medium-grind Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (approx. 3-4g)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (approx. 6g)
- 3 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine) (approx. 24g)
- 1/5 Tbsp Chicken Stock Granules or Beef Dashida (approx. 2g)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
- 1/3 Tbsp Store-bought Gochujang (Korean chili paste) (approx. 10g)
- 1/3 Tbsp Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) (approx. 10g)
- 1/3 Tbsp Oyster Sauce (approx. 6g)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 5g) – reduce to 1/4 Tbsp (approx. 2-3g) for less sweetness
- 1/2 Tbsp Medium-grind Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (approx. 3-4g)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (approx. 6g)
- 3 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine) (approx. 24g)
- 1/5 Tbsp Chicken Stock Granules or Beef Dashida (approx. 2g)
- A pinch of Black Pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables that will add texture to your fried rice. Finely mince the carrot until you have about 1 tablespoon worth. You might wonder, ‘Carrots in Korean BBQ fried rice?’ But finely minced carrots add a pleasant chewiness and enhance the overall texture, making it much more enjoyable.
Step 2
Similarly, finely mince the onion. Some might consider adding onions to fried rice a beginner’s mistake, but for Korean BBQ-style fried rice, pressing and toasting the rice and sauce on the pan is key. Including moist onions helps prevent the rice from sticking and burning as it toasts, and their natural sweetness beautifully complements the rich, deep flavors of the sauce.
Step 3
Slice the green onion, focusing on the white parts, to get about 2 tablespoons. This will add a fragrant aroma.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the special sauce that will define the flavor of your fried rice. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients listed under ‘Special Korean BBQ Sauce’ and mix well. For this step, using store-bought Gochujang is recommended over homemade, as it better captures the savory, umami flavor characteristic of Korean BBQ restaurants.
Step 5
Adding a little Doenjang to the sauce helps recreate the deep, rich flavor you get when ingredients are pressed and caramelized on a Korean BBQ grill. Doenjang adds a complex layer of flavor.
Step 6
Incorporate oyster sauce to boost the umami. Oyster sauce effectively mimics the complex savory notes from the various seasonings used in Korean BBQ establishments.
Step 7
Sugar balances the saltiness and spiciness of the other ingredients and helps create a richer color and deeper flavor when cooked. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar to about half (approx. 2-3g). For Gochugaru, use medium-grind flakes rather than coarse ones, as they distribute more evenly.
Step 8
Drizzle in the sesame oil for aroma. If you’re not a fan of sesame oil flavor in fried rice, feel free to substitute with cooking oil. However, if you want to capture that subtle sesame aroma found in restaurant-style fried rice, definitely include it. Mirin adds a gentle sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Step 9
Don’t forget to add the chicken stock granules (or Beef Dashida) and black pepper. A small amount of these enhancers will help you achieve that authentic, ‘just like the restaurant’ taste.
Step 10
Add the minced carrot, onion, green onion, and 1/3 tablespoon of minced garlic to the prepared special sauce and mix everything thoroughly.
Step 11
Finely chop about 3 heaped tablespoons of well-fermented kimchi and add it to the mixture. The sweet and sour kimchi will add a wonderful dimension to the fried rice.
Step 12
Mix all the ingredients evenly with the sauce. Allowing this mixture to rest for a moment can deepen the flavors.
Step 13
Now for the star ingredient: the pork. You can use pork belly, shoulder, or leg. Cook it and then chop it into small pieces. If the cut of pork you’re using is lean, add about 1 tablespoon of cooking oil when frying.
Step 14
In a heated pan, add the chopped pork and stir-fry until fully cooked. Once the pork is done, add the seasoned kimchi and continue to stir-fry. Be cautious with high heat, as it can cause oil splatters. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors of the kimchi and pork to meld.
Step 15
Continue stir-frying until most of the sauce’s moisture has evaporated and it becomes thick and rich. This ensures the sauce coats the ingredients without burning.
Step 16
Add the warm rice and gently mix it with the sauce using a spatula, stir-frying over low heat to avoid mashing the rice grains. You can add more rice if needed, based on the color and consistency as it cooks.
Step 17
Once the rice and sauce are evenly combined, spread the rice thinly across the pan and let it sit undisturbed for 20-30 seconds. The key to Korean BBQ-style fried rice is to allow the rice grains and sauce to crisp up and toast on the pan. Repeat the process of stirring, spreading, and letting it sit for 2-3 times, ensuring it doesn’t burn, to achieve the most delicious result.
Step 18
Enjoy your deeply flavored, richly stir-fried Korean BBQ-style pork belly fried rice! You can now savor a restaurant-quality fried rice in the comfort of your own home.
