Kimchi Fried Rice (Korean Style Fried Rice)

Kimchi Fried Rice (Korean Style Fried Rice)

Kimchi also called the ‘Korean Superfood’ and is a must have side dish for all Koreans. It is made from fermented vegetables (most often cabbage) and has a unique salty and spicy flavour. It is rich in probiotic strains (including Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis) and hence scientists give it equal status to yogurt when it comes to probiotic foods. It is also packed with antioxidants and contains vitamins A, B, C and K. It is also loaded with vital minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium.

Kimchi being a fermented food has loads of health benefits. To read more about the benefits of fermented foods and for a list of Indian Fermented foods read my article: Benefits of Fermented foods

Kimchi

I bought Kimchi in bulk from Costco, and since I have a lot-have been experimenting with some Korean dishes that incorporate kimchi. Try out this Indo-Korean style ‘Kimchi Uttapam‘ which is my twist on the traditional Korean Kimchi Pancakes.

Kimchi Fried rice is a quick and easy dish made mostle with leftover rice. You could add any meat/chicken/seafood/ mushroom to it if you wish.

Ingredients for Quick and easy Kimchi Fried Rice: Serves 4

• Kimchi: 1 cup (finely diced)
• Kimchi juice/liquid: 1/4 cup
• Leftover rice –3 cups (if it is freshly cooked, spread it in a tray to cool or put it in the fridge for at least 1/2 hour)
• Eggs: 4 , (cooked sunny side up for garnish)
• Garlic: 1/2 tsp minced
• Sesame Oil: 1/2 Tbsp
• 1/2 Tbsp cooking oil
• Oil: 1/2 tbsp
• Spring onion: 1-2 finely chopped(optional for garnish)

Method:

1. On medium high heat preheat a pan/wok and once heated and add the garlic, stir it fast for about 10 seconds. (if you want to add any meat/chicken/seafood-add it now and stir-fry till it is cooked).
2. Add the Kimchi and stir-fry till almost cooked.
3. Add the rice and the kimchi juice. Mix together till all the rice gets coated with the kimchi juice.Add the sesame oil and mix them well. Remove from the heat.
4. Serve hot garnished with the egg and spring onions.

Also try:

Kimchi Uttapam (an Indo-Korean fusion dish)

Bon Appetite or as they say in Korean Mashike Mogo 🙂

Sweta Uchil-Purohit

Online Indian Dietitian