Hearty Oyster Rice (Gulgukbap)
A Nourishing and Flavorful Oyster Rice Recipe
Experience the ocean’s bounty with this wonderfully flavorful Oyster Rice (Gulgukbap)! Made with plump, fresh oysters and a medley of nutritious vegetables, this dish is a true delight. We gently thaw frozen oysters and cook them into a fragrant rice dish that’s perfect for a nourishing meal. The tender oysters, combined with aromatic rice and vegetables, create a symphony of textures and tastes. Served with a savory and slightly spicy seasoned soy sauce, it’s a meal that warms the soul. Let’s cook up this delicious taste of the sea!
Rice Ingredients- 2 cups short-grain rice
- 2 shiitake mushrooms
- 1/3 medium onion
- A small amount of carrot
- 1 handful shredded radish
- 15 ginkgo nuts
- 3 dates
- 1 handful large fresh oysters
Broth Ingredients- 2 sheets dried kelp (kombu), 5×5 cm each
- 1.5 cups water
Seasoned Soy Sauce Ingredients- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp kelp broth
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 2 sheets dried kelp (kombu), 5×5 cm each
- 1.5 cups water
Seasoned Soy Sauce Ingredients- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp kelp broth
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced green onion
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the 2 cups of short-grain rice thoroughly and let it soak for about 30 minutes. Drain the rice well. To make the cooking liquid, place 2 sheets (5×5 cm each) of dried kelp in 1.5 cups of water and let it steep for about 10 minutes to create a kelp broth. This broth will add a wonderful depth of flavor to your rice.
Step 2
Gently wash the oysters with a pinch of coarse salt to remove any grit or impurities. Rinse them under clean water and drain. Thinly slice the 2 shiitake mushrooms and shred the radish. Finely dice the carrot and onion. Remove the seeds from the dates and slice them thinly. (Tip: Adding shredded radish enhances the refreshing taste of the rice and complements the natural oyster flavor.)
Step 3
In a pot or rice cooker, spread the soaked and drained rice evenly at the bottom. Generously layer the sliced shiitake mushrooms, shredded radish, diced carrot and onion, and sliced dates on top of the rice.
Step 4
Pour the prepared kelp broth (1.5 cups) over the ingredients as the cooking liquid. If using a rice cooker, simply adjust the water level according to the cooker’s markings. For a pot, bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent boiling over. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium. When you hear a gentle simmering sound (‘tak-tak’), lower the heat to low. Carefully stir the rice once with a spatula to prevent it from becoming mushy. Continue cooking on low heat. When a fragrant steam starts to rise, stir the rice gently once more. Then, arrange the cleaned oysters attractively on top of the rice. Cover the pot with a lid and let it steam for about 10 minutes to finish cooking the rice.
Step 5
While the rice is steaming, let’s prepare the delicious seasoned soy sauce. In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp kelp broth, 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced green onion, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds. Mix everything together well until evenly combined.
Step 6
And there you have it! Your beautiful and nutritious Oyster Rice is ready. Enjoy this delightful dish with the freshly made seasoned soy sauce – a true taste of the sea!
