Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi with Perilla Oil
Savory and Universally Loved Stir-Fried Aged Kimchi
Take out some aged kimchi that’s been taking up space in your kimchi refrigerator and stir-fry it with fragrant perilla oil! You all know how surprisingly delicious this is, right? Stir-fried in perilla oil, it becomes even nuttier and leaves your palate feeling refreshed. This is a #StirFriedAgedKimchi that’s both delicious and invigorating. I remember when my mom used to pack stir-fried kimchi in my lunchbox when I was little. Back then, I hated it so much! The smell of kimchi would make me frown as soon as I opened my bag, and I’d wish she’d stop packing it. But now, these kinds of side dishes are so incredibly tasty. I guess I’ve become a true country bumpkin after all. This dish is perfect for anyone who loves comforting, home-style flavors and a refreshing finish.
Main Ingredients- Aged Kimchi (from Kimchi making) 1/4 head
- Green Onion 1/2 (can substitute with Scallions)
Seasoning and Other Ingredients- Perilla Oil 1 Tbsp (for stir-frying)
- Sugar 0.5 tsp
- Fish Sauce (or Anchovy Sauce) 0.5 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 0.5 tsp
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Sesame Seeds 0.5 Tbsp
- Perilla Oil 1 Tbsp (for stir-frying)
- Sugar 0.5 tsp
- Fish Sauce (or Anchovy Sauce) 0.5 Tbsp
- Minced Garlic 0.5 tsp
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Sesame Seeds 0.5 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely chop the aged kimchi into bite-sized pieces. Gently squeeze out the excess kimchi juice with your hands. If your kimchi is very sour, you can lightly rinse it under cold water, squeeze out the moisture, and then stir-fry it. This helps to mellow out the sourness.
Step 2
Green onions add a wonderful aroma, but if you don’t have them, scallions are a great substitute. Finely chop the green onions or scallions. Using scallions can result in a slightly cleaner taste.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of perilla oil. Sauté the chopped green onions until fragrant. Once the onions start to turn golden, add the chopped aged kimchi and stir-fry them together. To balance the sourness of the kimchi and enhance its umami, add 0.5 teaspoon of sugar. Next, add 0.5 tablespoon of fish sauce (or anchovy sauce) for that savory depth and 0.5 teaspoon of minced garlic. Stir-fry everything together until well combined. If you like a bit of heat, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Finally, sprinkle with 0.5 tablespoon of sesame seeds for a nutty finish. It’s as easy as that!
Step 4
Once you have this delicious stir-fried aged kimchi made with perilla oil, you won’t need many other side dishes. It’s a fantastic accompaniment to a warm bowl of rice.
Step 5
This stir-fried kimchi tastes just as good, if not better, when it’s cooled down, making it a perfect dish to prepare ahead of time. Its consistent deliciousness will have you reaching for it again and again.
Step 6
Consider making this delightful stir-fry today with that leftover kimchi from your refrigerator! Any remaining stir-fried kimchi also makes a fantastic base for fried rice.
