Crispy and Delicious Kongnamul-bap (Bean Sprout Rice)
How to Make Flavorful Kongnamul-bap at Home: A Nutritious Bean Sprout and Vegetable Rice Bowl
Worrying about what to make for lunch, I decided to make some delicious Kongnamul-bap at home after a long time. It’s not just fresh bean sprouts, but also includes sweet zucchini, crunchy carrots, and colorful bell peppers! With the addition of savory stir-fried minced meat, it becomes a perfectly balanced meal that you can enjoy even with just a simple egg soup on the side. To preserve the delightful crispiness of the bean sprouts, I didn’t season them separately but placed them directly on the rice. I also seasoned the meat slightly on the saltier side, so when mixed with the seasoned soy sauce, the overall flavor is just right! This Kongnamul-bap is packed with nutrients and flavor. Try making it today!
Main Ingredients- 200g fresh bean sprouts
- 1 zucchini
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 carrot
- 200g ground pork
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly under running water. It’s best to remove any loose husks or debris for a cleaner result.
Step 2
Place the washed bean sprouts in a pot and add enough water to cover them. Cover with a lid and boil over high heat for about 10 minutes. You can prepare the other ingredients while the bean sprouts are cooking to save time.
Step 3
(This step reiterates the previous one: boil the bean sprouts for 10 minutes. Boil the bean sprouts for 10 minutes.)
Step 4
Once the bean sprouts are cooked, immediately rinse them under cold water 2-3 times to quickly cool them down. This step is the key to maintaining their delightful crispiness!
Step 5
After rinsing and cooling, drain the bean sprouts thoroughly in a colander. Any remaining water can make the rice soggy, so ensure they are well-drained.
Step 6
Now, it’s time to season the ground pork. In a mixing bowl, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
Step 7
Add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and mix well with the garlic.
Step 8
For enhanced flavor and to remove any gamey smell, add 1 tablespoon of soju (or cooking wine/mirin).
Step 9
Add 1/2 tablespoon of stevia sugar for a touch of sweetness. You can use regular sugar as well.
Step 10
Add a pinch of black pepper to enhance the savory notes of the meat.
Step 11
Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 12
If you’d like to add a hint of ginger flavor, include a small amount of grated ginger or ginger powder. (Optional)
Step 13
Combine all the prepared seasoning ingredients with the ground pork. Knead thoroughly with your hands, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed. Kneading for at least 5 minutes will yield a more delicious result.
Step 14
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned ground pork and stir with a spatula to prevent burning. Cook until the moisture evaporates and the pork becomes crumbly. Stir-frying until slightly crispy will improve the texture.
Step 15
Once the pork is fully cooked, transfer it to a separate plate and let it cool slightly.
Step 16
Prepare 1 zucchini. Wash it thoroughly under running water, trim off the ends, and peel if desired.
Step 17
Cut the prepared zucchini into strips approximately 0.5 cm thick. Ensure the cuts are uniform, not too thin or too thick.
Step 18
Sprinkle 1/3 teaspoon of salt over the julienned zucchini and let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture. This prevents the zucchini from releasing water when stir-fried and improves its texture.
Step 19
Gently squeeze out the excess water from the salted zucchini. Heat a pan over high heat with a little oil and quickly stir-fry the zucchini. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become mushy.
Step 20
Turn off the heat when the zucchini becomes slightly translucent and still appears a bit undercooked. Allow the residual heat of the pan to finish cooking it. This method helps retain its crispiness.
Step 21
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over the stir-fried zucchini for added aroma.
Step 22
Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds for an extra nutty flavor. Your delicious stir-fried zucchini is ready!
Step 23
Remove the seeds from the yellow bell pepper, wash it, and julienne it to a similar thickness as the zucchini.
Step 24
Heat a pan with a little cooking oil. Add the julienned yellow bell pepper and stir-fry quickly with a pinch of salt to season. Cook just until it slightly wilts.
Step 25
Peel and julienne the carrot to the same thickness as the zucchini. Blanch the carrots in boiling water for about 1 minute. Avoid overcooking them, as they can become soft.
Step 26
Drain the blanched carrots. Heat a pan with a little oil over high heat and stir-fry the carrots very quickly. Stir-frying briefly helps maintain their vibrant color and texture.
Step 27
Transfer the stir-fried carrots to a separate bowl and let them cool down.
Step 28
Now it’s time to assemble the Kongnamul-bap attractively. Place a generous portion of freshly cooked rice in a large mixing bowl.
Step 29
Arrange the prepared ingredients around the rice. Place the drained bean sprouts, stir-fried yellow bell pepper, stir-fried zucchini, and blanched & stir-fried carrots in a colorful pattern. Then, top the center with a generous amount of the savory stir-fried minced pork.
Step 30
Serve with your favorite seasoned soy sauce mixture (soy sauce, chili powder, sesame oil, minced garlic, sesame seeds, etc.) and mix everything together. Enjoy a perfectly balanced and incredibly delicious Kongnamul-bap, featuring the crisp bean sprouts, fresh vegetables, and flavorful meat!
