Aged Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe
Hearty Solo Meal! Simple Aged Kimchi Fried Rice
Transform your aged kimchi into delicious fried rice. You’ll finish a whole bowl!
Essential Ingredients- 1 cup rinsed aged kimchi (approx. 200g)
- 1 bowl warm cooked rice (approx. 200g)
- 3 frozen dumplings
- 1 piece green onion (approx. 6cm)
- A little carrot
- 1 egg
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all the ingredients for your delicious kimchi fried rice. Rinse the aged kimchi once under water, squeeze out any excess moisture, and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Split the green onion in half lengthwise and slice thinly. Finely mince the carrot. For the frozen dumplings, you can thaw them slightly and then slice, or dice them directly for cooking.
Step 2
First, we’ll make soft scrambled eggs to add a creamy texture. Whisk the egg until smooth. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan, then pour in the whisked egg. Stir with chopsticks as it cooks to create fluffy scrambled eggs. (Tip: Adding scrambled eggs makes the fried rice creamier, offering a different flavor profile than a sunny-side-up egg.)
Step 3
Heat a good amount of cooking oil in your pan over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced green onions and stir-fry until fragrant, creating a fragrant green onion oil. Once the aroma of the green onion intensifies, add the minced carrot and sauté together to enhance the flavors. If you’re dicing the dumplings directly, you can add them at this stage and stir-fry.
Step 4
When the green onions and carrots are sautéed, add the chopped aged kimchi and stir-fry. Cook until the kimchi softens and the flavors meld together. Next, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar. Add the sliced frozen dumplings and continue to stir-fry. (Tip: If your aged kimchi is already quite sour and seasoned, you can omit or reduce the sugar. Too much sweetness can overpower the classic fried rice flavor.)
Step 5
Once the ingredients are well-stirred and cooked, it’s time to add the rice. Add 1 bowl of warm cooked rice and break up any clumps with your spatula as you stir-fry. Add the prepared scrambled eggs and mix them thoroughly with the rice. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma. Press the fried rice firmly into a bowl to shape it, then invert onto a plate for a visually appealing presentation. Your kimchi fried rice is complete!
Step 6
We’ve made delicious kimchi fried rice using aged kimchi! Even without fancy ingredients, the deep flavor and crisp texture of the aged kimchi create a wonderful meal. Using rinsed aged kimchi reduced its sourness while enhancing its umami, resulting in a cleaner and tastier dish. It’s perfect for a solo meal or a satisfying, hearty dinner!
