Last Updated on May 19, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Kimchi Fried Rice – How to Make the PERFECT Fried Rice – steps to make the perfect fried rice every time and a delicious Korean fried rice recipe.
This post was inspired by one of my readers who wanted to know some tips for making fried rice.
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT FRIED RICE
- Cold Rice – Not just cold, but straight out of the refrigerator cold rice. Rice should not just be chilled at room temperature. The best option is to put cooled cooked rice in the refrigerator overnight and make the fried rice the next day. Make sure to break up any clumps in the cold rice before adding to the pan.
- Wet Ingredients – Add your wet ingredients a little at a time, waiting until the rice has absorbed it before adding the rest. This will avoid your rice getting too clumpy.
- Order of Ingredients – Balance the addition of ingredients by how long it takes to cook. For example, in this recipe below the shrimp was added last because they cook so quickly and over cooked shrimp tastes like rubber. However, since it is really important for the pork to be cooked fully, that is added first.
Korean food is my favorite Central Asian cuisine. While I do like Chinese and Japanese food, I love the spice and intense flavors that exists in Korean cuisine. Korea is all over the news right now with the expected summit maybe taking place. Why not celebrate some Korean cuisine also? But before we get to today’s recipe, how about trying some other Korean delicacies I’ve cooked in the past!
Korean Recipes
Aehobakjeon – Zucchini Pancakes
Hugimjajuk – Black Sesame Pudding
Gochujang Dak Juk – Rice Porridge Soup
Bibimbap – Rice Bowl
Korean Ginger Soy Fried Chicken (video)
IN THE MAKING
With the tangy kimchi and the fresh shrimp, this version of Kimchi Fried Rice is a spicy and flavorful version. If you’d like it even more spicier, add some Korean Chili Flakes (Gochugaru)
Kimchi Fried Rice – How to Make the PERFECT Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3 finely chopped garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped ginger
- 8 oz. ground pork
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 ½ cups kim chi rough chopped (16 oz. jar)
- 2 cups long grain rice cooked and chilled
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 lb. shelled shrimp
- 3 chopped scallions
- 1 chiffonade thinly sliced perilla leaf
Instructions
- In a wok, heat oil. Add garlic and ginger.
- When the garlic starts to brown, add pork.
- Cook until meat is browned and cooked through.
- Add eggs and mix. When they start to cook, add kim chi.
- Stir to combine and cook for 30 seconds.
- Whisk together the soy sauce and sesame oil in a little bowl.
- Add rice and wet ingredients, a little at a time, until well absorbed.
- Cook for a few minutes until rice is well coated with the kim chi.
- Add sesame oil and shrimp. Cook, stirring frequently until shrimp is pink and just cooked.
- Add scallion and perilla leaf and stir to combine.
Notes
Substitute mint if perilla leaves are unavailable. A sunny side up egg is often added on the top either instead of or in addition to the scrambled egg!
No wonder my fried rice hasn’t ever been that good. I am so glad to know that it has to be cold. Ha! Who knew??
Yes when the rice is not cold, it’s clumpy and soggy. Let me know how it comes out the next time you try it with cold rice.
Interesting recipe. I got a couple of questions though. A friend of mine sells kimchi on a jar. Do you think I can use one of those? How spicy is this recipe? Would you recommend this for kids?
yes I use store bough kimchi in a jar also. It really depends on the spice level of the kimchi. I thought this was very mild with just a bit of spice in the background, but it depends on your child’s spice sensitivity and you can easily adjust the quantity of kim chi according to their spice tolerance.
If you find Kimchi too spicy it can be lightly washed under running water and drained before adding to rice.
good to know. Thanks for the tip!
Great recipe! This is different from what I use to make. This recipe is awesome. I am going to try this in this weekend.
I am sure you will love this version especially if you like kimchi
Thanks for sharing this. Rice always seems so easy to make, yet I never manage to make it perfect.
Rice is something that is exact for me once you measure it should be right every time
Thank you so much for this! I never could figure out why my fried rice wasn’t exactly right. These are great tips that I’ll try this week.
I’m glad you found it helpful I’m sure with these tips your fried rice will be great this week
I’ve had kimchi on it’s own but never thought of making fried rice with it, sounds rally tasty and will be trying it out the next time I have Kimchi.
yes adding kimchi to fried rice is very common in Korea – I didn’t invent the idea 🙂
I love this recipe! I love Kimchi and I love fried rice, but never though of combining both before!
Laura
http://www.wanderwithola.com
it’s an awesome combination – I am sure you will love it!!!
What a delicious recipe! I’ll definitely be trying this out
great you must let me know how your version turns out
omg love kimchi fried rice. i made some the other day and it was so tasty. loved it. i normally make it with ground lamb but should def try it with the pork.
ooh – now next time I’m definitely try it with lamb 🙂
Gonna recommend my gf this recipe for sure. She will love it. Thanks 🙂
great – thanks
I love fried rice! I had no idea that keeping it in the fridge overnight would make it even better. Will definitely have to try this recipe 🙂
yes cold rice is always the best to use
My fried rice always turns out dry – but I don’t really follow a recipe! lol Ill give this a try – thank you!
dry in what way ?- because wet soggy fried rice isnt exactly desirable
I love Kimchi!! This is the perfect Fried Rice for me! Looks like I have everything I need, going to try it tonight!
great – you must let me know how you liked it
Not really a fan of kimchi but your fried rice looks appetizing enough to let me try it.
you can just use a little so you can adjust the quantity of kimchi per your preference
Looks delicious! Great tips on how to make!
thank you – I am sure you would enjoy it1
WOW My family and I love fried rice, I didn’t know its supposed to be refrigerated. Thank you for sharing, Ill be trying this recipe soon!
I will have to share this recipe with my significant other as he enjoys trying new things.
then I’m sure he will love this one!
This looks really delicious! I’d love to grab the recipe 🙂
the recipe is here for the taking!
I love fried rice! I try to make it at least 3 times a month with dinner. This looks great! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
yes – for me its the ultimate 1 pot dish