Sausage Kimchi Fried Rice: A Soulful Comfort Food, Simple Yet Deeply Flavorful
Golden Ratio! Secrets to Making Delicious Sausage Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi fried rice, the ultimate soul food of Korea! It’s one of my absolute favorite dishes because it’s so satisfying for a single meal. Adding juicy sausages with their satisfying ‘pop’ makes this kimchi fried rice even richer and more delicious. Today, I’ll guide you through a detailed recipe for sausage kimchi fried rice that anyone can easily follow. Enjoy the best kimchi fried rice at home, bursting with simple yet profound flavors!
Essential Ingredients
- 1 cup well-fermented kimchi (cup measure)
- 10 cm green onion
- 8 sausages
- 1.5 bowls of cooked rice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, slice the sausages into bite-sized pieces (about 1 cm thick) and set aside. Finely chop the green onion. The fragrant aroma of the green onion will infuse into the oil, creating delicious scallion-infused oil.
Step 2
Using well-fermented kimchi will result in a tastier fried rice. Chop the kimchi finely with scissors or a knife. If the pieces are too large, they might not cook evenly or have an optimal texture when stir-fried.
Step 3
Heat cooking oil (1 Tbsp) in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry slowly until they become fragrant and lightly golden, creating ‘scallion oil.’ Stir-frying both the white and green parts of the onion enhances the aroma. Be mindful of the heat to prevent burning.
Step 4
Once the scallion oil is fragrant and infused, add the sliced sausages. Stir-fry them together until the surface of the sausages is lightly browned and they start to release their oils. This adds a wonderful savory depth.
Step 5
When the sausages are nicely browned, add the finely chopped kimchi. Continue to stir-fry until the kimchi softens and becomes slightly translucent. This process helps to concentrate the flavors as the kimchi’s moisture evaporates.
Step 6
Once the kimchi is well-stirred, add 2 Tbsp of sesame oil and 0.5 Tbsp of sugar. The sugar helps to balance the sourness of the kimchi and adds a touch of sweetness and depth. Stir-fry until everything is well combined and fragrant.
Step 7
After stirring in the kimchi and seasonings, add 1 tsp of Dashida (beef flavor) and stir-fry once more. Dashida is a secret ingredient that elevates the umami of your fried rice. Ensure it’s evenly distributed.
Step 8
Now it’s time to add 1.5 bowls of cooked rice. Using warm rice is preferable to cold rice, as it prevents clumping and results in fluffier fried rice. Use a spatula to gently break apart the rice grains and mix them with the kimchi and sausage mixture until everything is well combined.
Step 9
Once the rice and ingredients are somewhat mixed, turn off the heat temporarily. Use the spatula to thoroughly combine the rice, kimchi, and sausages. Taste and, if needed, add 0.5 Tbsp of oyster sauce to adjust the seasoning. Oyster sauce adds both saltiness and a savory kick, completing the flavor profile of the fried rice.
Step 10
Finally, turn the heat back on to high. Stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 1-2 minutes. This high-heat, quick stir-fry helps to dry out the rice grains for a fluffy texture and imparts a wonderful ‘wok hei’ (breath of the wok) flavor, making your kimchi fried rice even more delicious. You’re all set!
