Overview
This is probably the easiest thing you can make once you have kimchi.
It works especially well with homemade kimchi (see recipe) because it’s more savoury and less aggressively sour.
The whole dish comes down to one thing:
Cook the kimchi first.
If you skip that, the fried rice falls flat.
Ingredients (for 1 quick batch)
- Cooked rice (preferably day-old)
- Kimchi (see recipe)
- Pre-cooked protein (optional, but recommended)
- Oil
Optional:
- Soy sauce (if needed)
- Sesame oil (for fragrance)
- Egg (for topping)
Step 1 — Cook the Kimchi
- Heat oil in a pan
- Add kimchi
- Cook for a few minutes
You want it to:
- soften
- deepen in flavour
- lose that raw sharpness
This step makes the difference.
Step 2 — Add Rice + Protein
- Add rice
- Add protein if using
Turn heat up and mix everything through.
Step 3 — Adjust
- Taste
- Add soy sauce if it needs more salt
- Add a bit of sesame oil if you want more aroma
That’s it.
To Serve
Top with:
- Fried egg
Notes
- Don’t overcomplicate this
- The kimchi does most of the work
- Cooking it first is what gives the dish depth
Bottom line
This is what you make when you have kimchi, rice, and nothing else planned.