Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi: A Savory and Clean Side Dish That’s a Rice Thief
Aged Kimchi Stir-Fry Using Well-Fermented Kimchi
We’ve made a delicious aged kimchi stir-fry using aged kimchi. It’s savory and clean thanks to the perilla oil, truly a rice-stealing dish. This is the story of kimchi stir-fry made with aged kimchi, a national side dish loved by both adults and children.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 head aged kimchi
- 1/2 stalk green onion
Seasoning & Others- 2-3 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (or adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (optional)
- 2-3 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar (or adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If your aged kimchi has filling, scrape it out. Trim off the tough root parts and tear the kimchi vertically into bite-sized pieces. You can chop it with a knife, but I prefer using disposable gloves to tear it by hand as it helps the seasoning penetrate better.
Step 2
Inspired by Chef Baek, I stir-fried it with scallion oil. Finely chop the green onion, add it to a pan with a generous amount of perilla oil, and simmer until fragrant to create scallion oil. This adds a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor.
Step 3
Once the scallion oil is ready, add the prepared aged kimchi. Stir-fry it over medium heat until well-cooked, adjusting the cooking time to your preference. I cooked mine for about 10 minutes to achieve a tender yet still slightly crisp texture.
Step 4
Add about half a tablespoon of sugar. Sugar helps to mellow out any sourness or ‘fermented’ smell from the aged kimchi and also balances the flavors.
Step 5
I also added one tablespoon of minced garlic. While garlic isn’t strictly necessary, it does add an extra layer of flavor that many enjoy. Feel free to omit it if you prefer.
Step 6
And just like that, your aged kimchi stir-fry is complete! You can wash the kimchi before stir-frying for a cleaner taste, or stir-fry it as is to enjoy the full flavor of the aged kimchi. Stir-frying it with a bit of doenjang (soybean paste) makes a delicious doenjang-kimchi stir-fry, but my children prefer it this way. It’s a fantastic side dish for busy days, perfect for lunchboxes, and a truly satisfying meal starter.
