Pork Belly Kimchi Fried Rice: The Perfect Harmony of Tender Pork Belly and Crispy Kimchi!
Ultimate Home Cooking! Delicious Pork Belly Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe (Golden Ratio, Super Easy)
Our second child’s absolute favorite dish – Kimchi Fried Rice! It’s a complete one-bowl meal that provides growing children with a satisfying amount of carbohydrates and protein. Instead of ham, adding plenty of pork, especially tender pork belly slices, not only enhances the savory flavor but also ensures a nutritional boost. The tangy ripeness of aged kimchi combined with the rich flavor of pork belly creates a dish that’s irresistibly delicious. If your kimchi isn’t very sour, adding a tablespoon or two of sugar or vinegar can help balance the taste and bring out its umami. And for that extra indulgence, top it with a perfectly fried sunny-side-up egg and mix the creamy yolk into the rice – it’s pure bliss! Pork belly slices are easy to keep in your freezer and perfect for quick meals. Here’s how to make this ultimate home-cooked dish anytime you’re in need of a delicious meal.
Essential Ingredients
- 2 cups well-fermented aged kimchi
- 300g pork belly slices (samgyeopsal)
- 2.5 bowls cooked rice
- 1/2 green onion stalk
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thinly slice the green onion to prepare for making aromatic green onion oil. Finely chop the 2 cups of well-fermented aged kimchi into bite-sized pieces. Tip: If your kimchi is too sour, adding 1-2 tablespoons of sugar or vinegar can help balance the flavors.
Step 2
Prepare the star of today’s dish, the thin pork belly slices, by gently pressing them with paper towels to remove excess blood. Then, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces for easy cooking and eating. This helps reduce any gamey smell and allows the seasoning to penetrate better.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the sliced green onions and sauté until they turn golden brown and fragrant, creating a flavorful green onion oil. This oil is key to boosting the overall taste of the fried rice.
Step 4
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the pork belly slices and stir-fry over medium-high heat until they are nicely browned and have rendered some of their fat. Then, it’s time to add the kimchi.
Step 5
Now, add the chopped aged kimchi and 0.5 tablespoon of sugar. Stir-fry together. The sugar helps to mellow the acidity of the kimchi and enhances its savory depth, making the fried rice even more delicious.
Step 6
Continue to stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the kimchi to soften and meld beautifully with the pork belly. This crucial step ensures all the ingredients absorb each other’s flavors.
Step 7
Push the fried ingredients to one side of the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce to the empty space and let it sizzle for a moment. This caramelizes the soy sauce slightly, adding a deeper, richer flavor profile. Then, mix everything together and stir-fry.
Step 8
Add 2.5 bowls of cooked rice to the pan. Using a spatula, gently break up the rice and stir-fry, ensuring that the rice is thoroughly mixed with all the ingredients. The goal is to coat every grain of rice with the flavorful mixture.
Step 9
Turn off the heat. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of sesame oil for a nutty aroma, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Mix well to finish. Your delicious Pork Belly Kimchi Fried Rice is ready! The delightful combination of tender pork belly and crispy kimchi makes it a satisfying meal on its own, requiring no side dishes. For an extra treat, consider serving it with a sunny-side-up egg; the runny yolk creates a wonderfully rich sauce when mixed with the rice. Even picky eaters love it this way! It’s a fantastic dish to make when you’re unsure what to cook, especially since pork belly slices are so convenient. Enjoy this ultimate comfort food!
