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Milk Street Bowtie Kimchi Fried Rice

Kimchi Fried Rice

4 to 6 Servings

40 minutes

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There are countless ways to make kimchi fried rice, or kimchi bokkeum bap, as it’s called in Korea. During a visit to Seoul, we had a few lessons on how to cook up the spicy, garlicky, umami-packed marriage of rice and fermented cabbage. Chef Sung Min Lee started his kimchi fried rice by lightly caramelizing a sliced onion, which added a sweetness and texture we liked. He also used equal amounts of kimchi and rice, a ratio that we, too, found optimal. And chef Choi Dong Mae added big, bold flavor by seasoning the mix with dadaegi, a spicy sauce often stirred into noodles and soups. Choi pureed nearly a dozen ingredients for her dadaegi; we simplified the blend but kept the Asian pear, which brought sweetness and fruity notes that harmonized with the other flavors. Asian pears are seasonal; if not available, use a regular pear. In a surprising twist, we learned that freshly cooked medium- or long-grain rice is the norm for making kimchi fried rice. We, however, prefer to use cooked and chilled rice, as it stir-fries into a lighter, fluffier texture. If you own a 12- to 14-inch wok, feel free to use it in place of a nonstick skillet. It provides more space for easy tossing of ingredients, and also slightly speeds the cooking. Topped with sunny-side-up eggs, this fried rice makes a hearty and satisfying meal.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t forget to give the kimchi a squeeze to remove excess moisture. If the kimchi is very juicy when it hits the skillet, it’ll stew rather than stir-fry. The moisture also will prevent it from browning.

40 minutes

8 ounces Asian pear (see headnote), peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 bunch scallions, whites roughly chopped, greens thinly sliced, reserved separately
2 medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1 ½-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
2 1/2 tablespoons gochujang
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
8 ounces ground pork
3 tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
2-2 1/2 cups napa cabbage kimchi (from a 1-pound jar), squeezed of excess liquid and chopped, plus 2 tablespoons kimchi juice
3/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 1/2 cups cooked and chilled long- or medium-grain white rice
4-6 sunny-side-up fried eggs
Sesame seeds, toasted, to serve
Toasted sesame oil or chili oil, to serve
Ingredients
  • 8

    ounces Asian pear (see headnote), peeled, cored and roughly chopped

  • 1

    bunch scallions, whites roughly chopped, greens thinly sliced, reserved separately

  • 2

    medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

  • 1

    ½-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

  • tablespoons gochujang

  • 2

    tablespoons soy sauce

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 8

    ounces ground pork

  • 3

    tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided

  • 1

    medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

  • 2-2½

    cups napa cabbage kimchi (from a 1-pound jar), squeezed of excess liquid and chopped, plus 2 tablespoons kimchi juice

  • ¾

    cup frozen corn kernels, thawed

  • cups cooked and chilled long- or medium-grain white rice

  • 4-6

    sunny-side-up fried eggs

  • Sesame seeds, toasted, to serve

  • Toasted sesame oil or chili oil, to serve

Directions

Kimchi Fried Rice

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Reviews
Zbigniew G.
April 15, 2023
So so good
Its spicy but very flavorful.I am glad I tried another way to use kimchi. Eggs are definitely a wonderful addition.I changed a recipe a bit to make it lower in carbohydrate by adding less rice and corn but increasing meat to 1lb. Will definitely make it again and again. Another winner from Milk Streat.
Jason G.
July 11, 2023
Kinda mushy?
I followed the instructions to a T, the kimchi wasn't too wet. But I do feel like there was too much onion and puree...just way too much stuff for the rice to be the right consistency (imo). But the flavor was great, maybe I messed i up somehow.
Susan G.
January 12, 2024
Delicious way to use up kimchi!
Visiting my Asian Mom in Alaska and she mentioned that she had never tried kimchi fried rice. I remembered saving this recipe to try and incredibly, she had all of the ingredients, down to the Asian pear. The only modifications I made was to use only about half of the sauce -- it looked like a lot and I was right -- half was just the right amount. My Mom only eats a little at a time these days, but she actually went for a second serving. I saved what was left for her and she finished it off the next day. I will be making this again for her.