Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi Recipe
A Perfect Side Dish Made with Well-Fermented Kimchi: Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi
My kimchi refrigerator settings were off, and two batches of last year’s homemade kimchi fermented too much at the bottom! Since neither my husband nor I are very fond of overly sour tastes, I decided to stir-fry it to make it more palatable. This recipe transforms that intensely fermented kimchi into a delicious, slightly sweet and savory dish.
Main Ingredients- Aged Kimchi (Mugeunji) – 1/2 head
- Minced Garlic – 0.5 Tbsp
- Green Onion – 1 stalk
- Perilla Oil (Deulgireum) – 3 Tbsp
- Sugar – 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently rinse the aged kimchi under running water to wash off some of the outer seasoning. Be careful not to rinse too vigorously, as it might diminish the kimchi’s flavor. After rinsing, cut the kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm wide) and then squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands. Thoroughly draining the kimchi is crucial for a non-mushy, firm texture when stir-fried.
Step 2
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add 3 tablespoons of fragrant perilla oil and the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic over low heat until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This step infuses the oil with a wonderful aroma.
Step 3
Once the perilla oil begins to gently simmer over medium heat, add the well-drained aged kimchi. Let it cook for a moment to absorb the savory flavors of the perilla oil and garlic.
Step 4
Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to the kimchi. The sugar helps to balance the strong sourness of the aged kimchi, enhancing its overall umami flavor. Now, turn the heat up to high. Stir-fry the kimchi continuously, making sure it doesn’t burn, for about 3-5 minutes. Avoid overcooking, as this can make the kimchi mushy and unappetizing.
Step 5
Once the sugar has dissolved and most of the liquid has evaporated, the kimchi is almost ready. Add the thinly sliced green onion (cut on the diagonal) and stir-fry briefly to combine. The fresh, mild flavor of the green onion will complement the rich kimchi.
Step 6
Turn off the heat as soon as everything is well combined. To preserve the nutty aroma of sesame seeds, wait for the dish to cool down sufficiently before sprinkling them on top. Once fully cooled, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor and nutty texture. This delicious stir-fried aged kimchi is now ready to be enjoyed with a bowl of warm rice!
