With a few simple ingredients, you can make a warm and satisfying Korean meal in about 15 minutes. Top it with a fried egg for an easy lunch or quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For 2 servings
2 cups (about 400 g) cooked rice
1 cup (about 150 g) well-fermented kimchi
2 tbsp kimchi juice
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 green onions
2 eggs
Sesame seeds, optional
Roasted seaweed, optional
Ingredient Tip
For the best flavor, use well-fermented kimchi with a slightly sour taste.
Older kimchi develops a deeper flavor when cooked and works especially well for kimchi fried rice.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Difficulty: Easy
How to Make Kimchi Fried Rice
STEP 1. Prepare the Ingredients
Cut the kimchi into small bite-sized pieces.
Thinly slice the green onions and prepare the cooked rice.
Cold leftover rice works especially well because the grains are drier and separate more easily while stir-frying.
STEP 2. Cook the Green Onion
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add about half of the sliced green onions.
Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
This helps flavor the oil before adding the kimchi.
STEP 3. Stir-Fry the Kimchi
Add the chopped kimchi to the pan.
Stir-fry for about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons of kimchi juice and continue cooking until the kimchi becomes slightly softer and aromatic.
Step 4. Add the Rice and Stir-Fry for 3 Minutes
Add the cooked rice and mix it well with the kimchi.
Add the soy sauce and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until the rice is evenly coated.
Turn off the heat, add the sesame oil, and mix well.
STEP 5. Fry the Egg and Serve
Fry the egg to your preferred doneness.
Place the kimchi fried rice on a plate, top it with the fried egg, and finish with seaweed flakes if desired.
Serve immediately while hot.
Tips for Better Kimchi Fried Rice
1. Use Leftover Rice
Cold rice from the refrigerator usually gives the best texture.
Freshly cooked rice contains more moisture and can become soft when stir-fried.
2. Use Well-Fermented Kimchi
Slightly sour kimchi gives fried rice a richer and deeper flavor.
3. Don't Use Too Much Soy Sauce
Kimchi already contains plenty of seasoning.
Start with a small amount of soy sauce and adjust after tasting.
4. Add Sesame Oil at the End
Adding sesame oil after turning off the heat helps preserve its nutty aroma.
Easy Variations
You can easily add ingredients you already have at home.
Try:
Onion
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Carrots
Corn
Tofu
Cooked chicken
Pork
If using raw meat, cook it completely before adding the rice.
Storage
Let leftover kimchi fried rice cool promptly and store it in a covered container in the refrigerator.
Reheat thoroughly before serving.
For the best texture, reheat it in a frying pan with a small amount of oil. You can also use a microwave.
Quick Recipe Summary
Easy Kimchi Fried Rice
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup chopped kimchi
2 tbsp kimchi juice
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 green onions
2 eggs
Quick Steps
Chop the kimchi and green onions.
Cook the green onions in oil.
Add the kimchi and stir-fry.
Add the rice and mix well.
Season with soy sauce.
Turn off the heat and add sesame oil.
Top with a fried egg and serve.