Simple Kimchi & Beef Rice Balls
Convenient Rice Balls for Busy Mornings
Introducing a super simple rice ball recipe perfect for a quick and hearty meal on busy mornings. You can customize the filling with various ingredients to suit your taste, but this recipe uses the popular combination of beef and crunchy kimchi for a delicious harmony. Start your day with these beautiful and tasty rice balls!
Main Ingredients- 1 bowl of warm cooked rice (approx. 200g)
- 50g minced beef (pre-marinated bulgogi style is convenient)
- A little well-fermented kimchi (finely chopped)
Seasonings & Condiments- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional, for enhanced flavor)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional, for enhanced flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the marinated beef. If it’s not pre-marinated, season the minced beef with soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, pepper, and ginger powder. Heat a pan over high heat and stir-fry the prepared beef until it’s crumbly and cooked through. Be careful not to burn the meat and cook it evenly.
Step 2
Prepare the warm rice. Add 1 Tbsp soy sauce, a pinch of salt, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar to the rice. Mix gently with a spatula or spoon until well combined. If the rice is too wet, it will be difficult to form the balls, so it’s best to adjust the soy sauce by tasting rather than adding too much at once. Mix gently to avoid mashing the rice grains.
Step 3
Prepare the stir-fried beef and chopped kimchi. Crumble the cooked beef into pieces similar in size to rice grains. Finely chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 0.5cm). If the kimchi is too sour, you can add a little more sugar, or a touch of sesame oil to mellow the flavor.
Step 4
Now it’s time to form the rice balls. Wash your hands thoroughly or wear disposable gloves on one hand. Take an appropriate amount of the seasoned rice and spread it on your palm. Be careful, as the rice might be hot.
Step 5
Place a portion of the cooked beef and chopped kimchi onto the rice. If the kimchi is very watery, it can make the rice mushy, so it’s a good idea to lightly squeeze out excess moisture before adding. Cover the filling with the rice, gently enclosing the ingredients so they don’t fall out.
Step 6
Use your palms to shape the rice into a ball or your desired shape. If the rice is packed too tightly, the balls might feel hard when eaten, so gently roll them with moderate pressure. If there are any messy parts, you can lightly smooth them with a spoon or your fingers for a neater appearance.
Step 7
Arrange the beautifully shaped rice balls on a plate. You can sprinkle some sesame seeds or wrap them in seaweed flakes for garnish if you like. These Kimchi and Beef Rice Balls are delicious on their own and also make a great addition to a bento box. Enjoy your meal!
