Delicious Al-bap (Korean Rice Bowl with Fish Roe) Golden Recipe
The Easiest Way to Make Al-bap at Home!
Learn how to make Al-bap, a delightful Korean rice bowl featuring the bursting texture of fish roe and a harmonious blend of various ingredients. This recipe is perfect for using up leftover ingredients in your fridge to create a fantastic meal.
Al-bap Ingredients- 2 bowls warm cooked rice
- 4 Tbsp fresh flying fish roe (tobiko/masago)
- 1/2 bowl finely chopped kimchi
- 1/3 Spam can (diced small)
- 1/3 cucumber (finely julienned)
- 3-4 pieces pickled radish (danmuji) (finely julienned)
- 3-4 imitation crab sticks (Kani kama) (shredded or chopped small)
Kimchi Seasoning- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Making Al-bap is much simpler than you might think! You can customize the ingredients to your liking, adding or swapping them out as you prefer. Traditionally, fresh pea sprouts are added at the end for a fresh crunch, but we’ll skip them today. I’ve decided to include all my favorite ingredients for a generous mix! Feel free to add other ingredients that appeal to you. While I’ve listed specific quantities, especially for vegetables and meats like Spam, don’t hesitate to adjust them generously to suit your personal taste.
Step 2
Prepare your ingredients by dicing the Spam into small cubes, and finely julienning the cucumber and pickled radish (danmuji). Shred or finely chop the imitation crab sticks. For the frozen flying fish roe, marinate it with 3-4 tablespoons of mirin (or cooking wine) for about 5 minutes to reduce any fishy taste. After marinating, drain the roe lightly using a sieve before use.
Step 3
We’ll lightly season the chopped kimchi. Mix it with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. This simple seasoning enhances the kimchi’s sweet and spicy flavors, making it delicious even as a side dish.
Step 4
Now, prepare your dolsot (stone pot) or a small pot for cooking the Al-bap. To prevent the rice from sticking, lightly coat the bottom and sides of the pot with sesame oil. This ensures the rice cooks evenly and develops a delicious, slightly crisp texture at the bottom.
Step 5
Add the 2 bowls of cooked rice into the prepared pot. Gently press down the rice with a spoon. This helps to create a solid base for the toppings, ensuring they sit nicely on top.
Step 6
Next, artfully arrange all your prepared toppings – the fish roe, seasoned kimchi, diced Spam, julienned cucumber and pickled radish, and shredded imitation crab – beautifully over the rice! The colorful arrangement makes the dish look even more appetizing. Once everything is arranged, cover the pot and heat on high for about 5 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking uncovered for about 10 minutes, or until you hear a gentle ‘tak-tak’ sound from the bottom, indicating the rice is slightly crisping. Now, mix everything together and enjoy your delicious homemade Al-bap! See how easy it is to make?
