Super Simple Kimchi Fried Rice (Baekpa-Chef Style)
Easy Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe by Baek Jong-won
Learn how to make the beloved Korean Kimchi Fried Rice with ease, even if you’re a beginner cook, using Chef Baek Jong-won’s simple and effective tips. Discover a method that skips the usual garlic oil but delivers incredible flavor. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal!
Essential Ingredients
- 1 cup well-fermented kimchi (using a standard paper cup)
- 100g Spam or canned ham (half of a small can)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 2/3 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), or up to 1 Tbsp for more spice
- 3-5 Tbsp water
- 1 bowl of warm cooked rice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 1 cup of well-fermented, sour kimchi. If you don’t have sour kimchi, you can add about 1/2 Tbsp of brewed vinegar to regular kimchi to achieve a similar tang. (Brewed vinegar is recommended over apple cider vinegar.)
Step 2
Use 100g of Spam or your preferred canned ham. Instead of chopping, place the ham in a plastic bag and crush it with your hands for a quick and easy preparation.
Step 3
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the crushed ham and stir-fry until it turns golden brown and slightly crispy. The ham will release its own oil, adding a delicious depth of flavor.
Step 4
Once the ham is nicely browned, add 2/3 Tbsp of sugar and mix well. Then, pour 2 Tbsp of soy sauce around the edges of the pan. Let the soy sauce bubble and caramelize slightly for about 5-10 seconds before stirring it into the ham. This step enhances the savory aroma and taste.
Step 5
Add the chopped kimchi to the pan and stir to combine with the ham and soy sauce mixture. Once the kimchi has softened a bit, add 1/2 Tbsp of gochugaru and stir-fry. If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to increase the gochugaru to 1 Tbsp.
Step 6
As you stir-fry, the mixture might start to feel a bit dry after adding the gochugaru. Add 3-5 Tbsp of water to prevent sticking and burning, ensuring the kimchi cooks evenly and the sauce becomes moist and well-blended.
Step 7
Finally, add 1 bowl of warm cooked rice to the pan. Gently mix and stir-fry until the rice is thoroughly combined with the kimchi and sauce. For best results, you can even turn off the heat briefly after adding the rice to mix everything without worrying about burning, allowing you to create a perfectly seasoned kimchi fried rice.
