Special Spaceship Kimchi Fried Rice
Create Your Own Adorable Spaceship Kimchi Fried Rice!
Tired of the same old kimchi fried rice? Want to make it more visually appealing and fun? This recipe will guide you to create a charming spaceship-shaped kimchi fried rice that’s a hit with both kids and adults. Elevate your meal with a simple yet impressive presentation!
Main Ingredients
- Well-fermented Kimchi 250g (can be either napa cabbage kimchi or radish kimchi)
- Spam or your favorite processed ham 1/2 can (approx. 100g)
- Green onion 1/3 stalk
- Onion 1/3 medium
- Eggs 2 large
- Cooked rice (preferably day-old) 1 bowl (approx. 200g)
- Toasted sesame seeds, a pinch
- Olive oil or cooking oil, as needed
Seasoning
- Sugar 0.5 Tbsp (balances the kimchi’s tartness)
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Kimchi juice 1.5 Tbsp (adds umami and seasoning)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 0.5 Tbsp (for color and mild heat)
- Sugar 0.5 Tbsp (balances the kimchi’s tartness)
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Kimchi juice 1.5 Tbsp (adds umami and seasoning)
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 0.5 Tbsp (for color and mild heat)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely chop the green onion. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped green onions and slowly stir-fry to create fragrant green onion oil. This step significantly enhances the flavor of the fried rice.
Step 2
Once the green onion oil is aromatic, add the diced ham and thinly sliced onion. Stir-fry until the onions become translucent and tender. The savory flavor of the ham and the sweetness of the onions will blend together.
Step 3
Chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces, about 1cm. If you’re concerned about staining your cutting board, you can place the kimchi in a clean glass bowl and cut it with scissors for a neat and easy preparation.
Step 4
Add the chopped kimchi to the pan with the sautéed ham and onions. Stir-fry until the kimchi softens and wilts slightly. Ensure the kimchi’s sour and sweet flavors meld well as you stir-fry.
Step 5
Add 0.5 Tbsp of gochugaru and 0.5 Tbsp of sugar to the kimchi mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasonings and continue to cook for about 1 minute. The sugar will help to mellow the tanginess of the kimchi.
Step 6
Instead of soy sauce, we’ll use kimchi juice for seasoning. Add 1.5 Tbsp of kimchi juice and mix it thoroughly with the other ingredients. The kimchi juice adds a deep umami flavor and the perfect saltiness to the fried rice.
Step 7
Now it’s time to add the fluffy, cold rice (about 1 bowl). For the best fried rice texture, it’s better to use day-old or chilled rice rather than freshly cooked hot rice. This prevents the rice grains from clumping together. A great tip is to cook rice ahead of time and refrigerate it until cold!
Step 8
Use a spatula to break up the rice grains and stir-fry until the rice is well combined with the seasonings. Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for an extra layer of aroma and flavor.
Step 9
Spoon the well-fried kimchi fried rice into a rice bowl and press it down firmly. Packing the rice tightly into the bowl will help it hold its shape nicely when inverted later.
Step 10
Carefully invert the filled rice bowl onto the center of the empty pan. This will form the main body of our adorable spaceship.
Step 11
Whisk the 2 eggs until well combined. Pour the beaten eggs around the perimeter of the rice mound in the pan. The egg will create the outer ‘hull’ or ‘ring’ of the spaceship.
Step 12
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Cook until the egg edges are set, forming the spaceship shape. Adjust the cooking time based on your preference for egg doneness – less time for runny yolks, more for firm yolks.
Step 13
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of toasted sesame seeds over the finished spaceship kimchi fried rice. This adds a nutty flavor and a visual finishing touch.
Step 14
Ta-da! Your wonderfully cute and delicious spaceship kimchi fried rice is ready! It’s incredibly tasty when enjoyed with the soft egg border. Make this for a special and fun meal!
