Kimchi Fried Rice with Cheese
Kimchi Fried Rice with Cheese
Delicious Kimchi Fried Rice Enhanced with Melted Cheese!
Transform your leftover aged kimchi into an extraordinary kimchi fried rice! The aromatic scallion oil and chewy, flavorful kimchi meld perfectly with each grain of rice, creating an irresistible umami. Adding a generous topping of stretchy mozzarella cheese makes this a delightful meal that both kids and adults will adore. This is a simple yet satisfying dish – why not make it today?
Main Ingredients- 1 bowl cooked rice (approx. 200g)
- 1 bowl well-fermented kimchi (aged kimchi), chopped (approx. 200g)
- 1 stalk scallion (white part preferred)
- 1 handful mozzarella cheese (approx. 50g)
Seasonings & Others- 1 Tbsp sugar (balances the kimchi’s sourness and adds depth)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (for color and mild spiciness)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (adds a savory depth)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 2-3 Tbsp cooking oil (for scallion oil)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (balances the kimchi’s sourness and adds depth)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (for color and mild spiciness)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (adds a savory depth)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 2-3 Tbsp cooking oil (for scallion oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The secret to flavorful kimchi fried rice lies in aromatic scallion oil! Start by preparing one stalk of scallion. Using mostly the white parts will yield a better flavor. You can also add other ingredients like ham or bacon to your preference.
Step 2
Chop the well-fermented kimchi into bite-sized pieces. Using about one bowl’s worth of kimchi, matching the rice volume, ensures a perfect balance of flavors. Aim for equal parts rice and kimchi.
Step 3
Heat 2-3 tablespoons of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the chopped scallions and slowly sauté them to create fragrant scallion oil. Cook until you can smell the scallions’ aroma gently wafting – this is key to developing a deep flavor. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 4
Once the scallion oil is fragrant, add the chopped kimchi and stir-fry together. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the kimchi and scallions to meld, and slightly reducing the kimchi’s moisture. This step helps prevent the fried rice from becoming soggy.
Step 5
When the kimchi is sufficiently sautéed, add 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the sourness and enhance flavor, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for savory depth, and 1 tablespoon of gochugaru for a vibrant red color. Mix all the seasonings thoroughly into the ingredients until well combined.
Step 6
After the ingredients and seasonings are well-mixed and cooked, add 1 bowl of warm rice. Immediately turn off the heat. Stirring the rice into the mixture while the heat is off helps prevent the rice from becoming mushy or clumpy.
Step 7
Gently toss and mix the rice with the kimchi mixture until everything is well combined and the rice grains are separated. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of sesame oil over the top for a final touch of nutty aroma. (Sesame oil is optional but highly recommended for enhancing the overall flavor).
Step 8
While delicious on its own, you can make it extra special! Sprinkle about a handful of mozzarella cheese generously over the rice. Cover the rice evenly with the cheese, then microwave for about 2 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey, creating a visually stunning cheesy kimchi fried rice.
Step 9
Your spicy and savory cheesy kimchi fried rice is ready! Even the kids, who can be sensitive to spice, will be happily eating this with delight, reaching for water but unable to stop eating. This is a perfect dish for the whole family to enjoy – be sure to try it!
