Spam and Kimchi Stir-Fry: The Ultimate Rice Thief!
Ultimate Spam Kimchi Stir-Fry & Aged Kimchi Recipe – Simple Lunchbox Side Dish & Hearty Meal Prep!
Has your homemade kimchi become wonderfully sour and tangy? Don’t worry! When you stir-fry well-fermented kimchi with savory Spam and fragrant perilla oil, you create an irresistible rice-pairing dish that your whole family will love. Stir-fried to perfection without excess liquid, it makes an excellent lunchbox side dish. I’ll also share a fantastic tip for taming the sourness of aged kimchi. This dish is perfect for when your appetite needs a boost!
Main Ingredients
- Aged Kimchi, well-fermented: 530g
- Spam (classic or your preference): 200g
- Onion: 1 medium (approx. 200g)
- Whole Garlic cloves: 80g
- Perilla oil: 3 Tbsp
- Butter: 1 Tbsp
Seasonings & Garnish
- Sesame oil: 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds: 1 Tbsp
- Sugar: 3 Tbsp (to balance sourness)
- Chopped green onion: 2 Tbsp (for garnish)
- Sesame oil: 1 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds: 1 Tbsp
- Sugar: 3 Tbsp (to balance sourness)
- Chopped green onion: 2 Tbsp (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here are all the ingredients prepared for making the delicious Spam and Kimchi Stir-Fry. It’s best to lightly squeeze out excess water from the aged kimchi to prevent too much liquid from forming during cooking.
Step 2
Cut the Spam into roughly 1.5cm cubes. Slice the onion into similar-sized pieces, and either mince the whole garlic cloves or cut them in half. Chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to chop it too finely, as it might clump together when stir-fried.
Step 3
Melt 1 Tbsp of butter in a medium-heat preheated frying pan. Once the butter is melted, add the cubed Spam and garlic cloves. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the Spam and garlic are lightly browned and fragrant. Add 1 Tbsp of sugar during this step to lightly coat the Spam and garlic, helping them caramelize.
Step 4
Transfer the browned Spam and garlic to a separate plate. This prevents the Spam from becoming overcooked and tough, and helps maintain its texture when added back later.
Step 5
In the same frying pan, add 3 Tbsp of perilla oil. Add the chopped aged kimchi and 2 Tbsp of sugar to help mellow its sourness. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes until the kimchi begins to soften. Then, add the sliced onion and continue to stir-fry just until the onion becomes translucent. The key is to keep the onion slightly crisp, so don’t overcook it.
Step 6
Once the kimchi and onion are sufficiently stir-fried, reduce the heat to low. Return the previously set-aside fried Spam and garlic to the pan. Gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
Step 7
Finally, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for an extra layer of nutty flavor.
Step 8
Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds evenly over the top, and add 2 Tbsp of chopped green onions for a fresh aroma and visual appeal.
Step 9
Mix everything together briefly, and your delicious Spam and Kimchi Stir-Fry is ready! The perilla oil and sugar beautifully balance the tanginess of the aged kimchi, creating a flavor profile that everyone will love. The cooked garlic adds a delightful sweetness and texture. This sweet, savory, slightly spicy, and tangy kimchi stir-fry is a true ‘rice thief’! The kimchi itself is already flavorful and spicy enough, so no additional seasoning is needed. Serve it over a bowl of warm rice for a truly satisfying meal!
