Ingredients:
- Rice: 1 cup cooked brown rice (or white rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for lower carb)
- Kimchi: 1 cup chopped kimchi, plus a bit of the juice
- Protein: 1/2 cup your choice of diced cooked chicken, tofu, shrimp, or omit for vegetarian
- Vegetables: 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup frozen peas
- Aromatics: 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- Oil: 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or neutral oil like avocado)
- Seasonings: 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free), 1 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste, optional), sesame seeds for garnish
- Eggs: 2 large eggs (optional)
Instructions
- Prep work: Cook your rice beforehand and let it cool completely. Chop the kimchi, vegetables, protein (if using), and mince garlic and ginger.
- Sauté the aromatics: Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the protein and veggies: If using protein, add it to the pan and cook until browned on all sides. Then, add carrots and peas and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Incorporate kimchi and rice: Add the kimchi and a splash of the kimchi juice. Stir and cook for a minute to heat through. Push the mixture to one side of the pan.
- Cook the eggs (optional): Add a little more oil to the empty side of the pan. Crack the eggs in and scramble them. Once they’re set, mix them into the rest of the fried rice.
- Combine everything: Stir in the cooked rice and break up any clumps. Drizzle with soy sauce (and gochujang if using) and mix well until the rice is evenly coated and heated through.
- Finish and serve: Taste and add more soy sauce or gochujang if needed. Garnish with sesame seeds and enjoy hot!
Tips:
- Use cold rice: Cold, leftover rice fries much better without turning mushy.
- Customize it: Experiment with additional vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli.
- Spice it up: Add a drizzle of sriracha or more gochujang for extra heat.
- Make it a meal: Top with a fried egg for extra protein and flavor.
