Spaceship Kimchi Fried Rice
Kimchi Fried Rice with a Special Spaceship Twist!
It’s been a while since I made kimchi fried rice, and this time I decided to make it a bit more special! I packed it with plenty of kimchi, savory bacon, and plump shrimp for a truly delightful meal. You know how fried rice or kimbap makes you eat so much more rice? This unique spaceship-shaped kimchi fried rice recipe is perfect for a fun and delicious dining experience.
Main Ingredients- 2 bowls of warm cooked rice
- 1.5 cups of well-fermented napa cabbage kimchi (finely chopped)
- 4 strips of thick-cut bacon (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 10 peeled shrimp
- 2 fresh eggs
- 1/3 of a white part of a leek (finely chopped)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (or 4-5 cloves thinly sliced)
Seasoning & Sauces- 1/2 cup kimchi juice
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup kimchi juice
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely chop the kimchi into about 2-3 cm pieces. Also, finely chop the leek. Similarly, cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces for easier cooking. Having your ingredients prepped beforehand will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Briefly blanch the shrimp in boiling water for about 1 minute, then rinse under cold water and drain. Overcooking can make them tough. Thinly slice the garlic. Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over low heat, add the sliced garlic, and slowly fry it. This creates garlic-infused oil, enhancing the fried rice’s flavor.
Step 3
Crack the eggs into a wide bowl. Whisk them well with a fork or whisk until smooth. You can add a tiny pinch of salt for seasoning.
Step 4
In a heated pan, use the oil from frying the garlic, or add 1 Tbsp of fresh cooking oil. Add the chopped leeks and stir-fry over medium-low heat. The sweet aroma of leeks combined with garlic will fill your kitchen, making your mouth water! As the leeks turn translucent and lightly golden, the garlic’s flavor will intensify, greatly improving the fried rice.
Step 5
Add the chopped bacon and kimchi to the pan with the fried leeks and garlic. Stir-fry together. The fat from the bacon will render out, adding a rich flavor to the kimchi. Continue stir-frying until the kimchi is softened.
Step 6
Once the kimchi and bacon are well stir-fried, add the blanched shrimp and cook for another minute. Push all the ingredients to one side of the pan. Add the warm rice to the empty space, pour in the 1/2 cup of kimchi juice, and use a spatula to press and cut the rice as you stir-fry. This helps break up the rice clumps and creates fluffy grains.
Step 7
Stir-fry everything together until the rice grains are well combined with the kimchi and other ingredients. Once the rice is fluffy and separated, add 1/2 Tbsp of fish sauce (or soy sauce) to season. Finally, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of perilla oil and sprinkle with 1 tsp of toasted sesame seeds, then mix gently to finish. The nutty aroma of perilla oil really elevates the fried rice. Making fried rice is truly easy!
Step 8
Pack the finished kimchi fried rice tightly into a rice bowl. Then, tilt the pan slightly and invert the bowl in the center to create a round rice shape, resembling the base of a spaceship.
Step 9
Pour the whisked egg mixture around the edges of the pan. Cook the egg, being careful with the heat so it doesn’t burn.
Step 10
Before the egg is fully cooked, use chopsticks to gently stir it like scrambled eggs, cooking it only halfway through. This creates a moist and soft half-cooked egg topping. You can cook it fully to your preference.
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle some seaweed flakes over the top, and your adorable spaceship-shaped kimchi fried rice is complete! It’s sure to be a hit, especially as a fun snack for kids or for special occasions.
