Spicy & Savory Kimchi Fried Rice: A Deliciously Simple Recipe
Shockingly Good Kimchi Fried Rice: Your Go-To Quick Meal!
Whip up a satisfying meal in minutes! This easy kimchi fried rice is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. A fried egg on top takes it to the next level!
Main Ingredients
- Finely chopped aged kimchi: 1/2 cup (measured with a Korean rice cup)
- Cooked rice: 1 bowl (preferably warm)
- Spam or luncheon meat (optional): a small amount, diced
- Egg (optional): 1, for frying
Seasoning for Flavor
- Soy sauce: 1 Tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp (balances the kimchi’s sourness and enhances umami)
- Perilla oil (Deulgireum): 1 Tbsp (adds a nutty aroma)
- MSG or flavor enhancer (optional): 1 tsp
- Black pepper: a pinch, to taste
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 1/2 Tbsp (for color and mild heat)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1 tsp (for deep flavor and thickness)
- Soy sauce: 1 Tbsp
- Sugar: 1 tsp (balances the kimchi’s sourness and enhances umami)
- Perilla oil (Deulgireum): 1 Tbsp (adds a nutty aroma)
- MSG or flavor enhancer (optional): 1 tsp
- Black pepper: a pinch, to taste
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes): 1/2 Tbsp (for color and mild heat)
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1 tsp (for deep flavor and thickness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by finely chopping your kimchi. In a wide pan or pot, combine the chopped kimchi with 1 Tbsp of perilla oil, 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 tsp MSG (if using), 1 tsp sugar, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir-fry over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until the kimchi is softened and the seasonings are well incorporated. If your kimchi is quite sour, feel free to add a little extra sugar.
Step 2
Once the kimchi is nicely sautéed, add 1 bowl of warm cooked rice and 1 tsp of gochujang to the pan. Increase the heat to high and stir-fry quickly. It’s crucial to break up any clumps of rice with your spatula and toss everything together until the rice grains are separated and coated evenly with the kimchi mixture. If you’re adding diced meat like Spam, toss it in at this stage for extra heartiness.
Step 3
After your kimchi fried rice is ready, top it with a perfectly fried egg, cooked sunny-side up. For the ultimate experience, break the yolk and mix it into the hot rice. The creamy yolk beautifully complements the spicy, savory fried rice, making for an incredibly satisfying meal!