If you haven’t read our blog post on the benefits of fermented foods (including kimchi), make sure you do! In it, we talk about why foods like kimchi should be introduced into your diet for your long term health.
So we thought we’d kick off a series highlighting recipes featuring kimchi — starting with the classic, kimchi fried rice. As the go-to for nights when the fridge is a bit emptier, and the question becomes, “what should we eat?” The kimchi fried rice or kimchi bokkeumbap meal is perfect if rice and kimchi are the two staples that never seem to run out.
Here’s our favorite recipe for a serving size of two:
Ingredients
▢ 4 ounces ham or spam (or a can of tuna, drained)
▢ 3/4 cup diced kimchi
▢ 1/4 small onion, diced diced
▢ 1 scallion, chopped chopped
▢ 1 small carrot, finely chopped (optional)
▢ 3 - 4 tablespoons juice from kimchi
▢ 2-1/2 cups cooked rice See
▢ Oil for stir-frying
▢ 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce
▢ 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean chili pepper paste)
▢ Salt and pepper
▢ 2 eggs fried
▢ 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
▢ 1 sheet roasted gim (dried seaweed sheet) (optional)
Instructions
- Add your spam, onion, and scallion to the pan and stir-fry quickly over high heat. Add the kimchi, optional carrots, juice from kimchi, gochujang and soy sauce. Stir fry until the kimchi turns soft and slightly transparent in color for about five minutes over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium low, and add the rice to your mix. Stir until everything is well incorporated and the rice is spread out evenly, for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Once the rice is evenly coated with the seasoning, turn the heat up to high and continue to fry the rice, turning the ingredients over occasionally. Mix in the sesame oil and the optional sesame seeds at the end.
- Top your dish with the fried egg, and garnish with sesame seeds, gim (dried seaweed) strips and/or chopped scallion and serve (these aren’t necessary, but a nice touch).
- Enjoy!
Remember, the more fermented the kimchi the tastier (and healthier!). Our kimchi refrigerators are perfect for regulating the fermentation process, check out our Dimchae kimchi refrigerators to get started.
Want to see the best selection of kimchi fridges from Samsung, LG, Dimchae in person? Visit one of our showrooms:
Flushing, NY
Fort Lee, NJ
Ridgefield, NJ
Centreville, VA
We look forward to assisting you pick the perfect kimchi for this winter season!