
Mild Tuna Kimchi Stir-fry for Kids
Mild Tuna Kimchi Stir-fry for Kids
Kid-Friendly Tuna Kimchi Stir-fry: Easy and Delicious!
My eldest child is a kimchi enthusiast, but lately, they prefer fresh kimchi salads (geotjeori) and stir-fried kimchi over traditional fermented kimchi. For dinner, I whipped up a quick tuna kimchi stir-fry to serve alongside curry rice. Since it’s for the kids, I adjusted the spiciness to their liking. This versatile dish is perfect as a side for rice or can be transformed into a quick kimchi fried rice with leftover rice.
Ingredients- 1/4 head of ripe kimchi
- 1 can (150g) of tuna
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the kimchi. We’re using about 1/4 of a head of kimchi. Last year’s kimchi was quite plentiful, so this amount is generous. Wash half of the kimchi thoroughly, and for the other half, gently scrape off the internal seasoning paste. (This helps reduce the sourness while retaining some of the original flavor.)
Step 2
Now, it’s time to finely chop the kimchi. Slice along the stem direction into pieces about 0.5 cm thick, then chop crosswise to create small, bite-sized pieces that are easy for children to eat. (If chopping is difficult, using scissors works well too!)
Step 3
Heat a tablespoon of cooking oil in a wok or pan over medium heat. Add the chopped kimchi and stir-fry until it becomes slightly translucent. Then, add 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), and 1/3 tablespoon of soy sauce. Stir well to combine and cook until the kimchi softens and the seasonings are well incorporated. Finally, add the entire can of tuna, including the oil, and stir-fry together.
Step 4
If you’d like to make it spicier for adults, you can add an additional tablespoon of gochugaru at this stage. Finely minced Cheongyang chili peppers or chopped green onions can also be added for extra flavor and a touch of heat.
Step 5
Once the kimchi and tuna are well combined, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) and stir quickly to coat everything. Cook for another minute. Just before turning off the heat, add a swirl of sesame oil for aroma and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds. Mix once more, and your delicious tuna kimchi stir-fry is ready!
Step 6
This prepared tuna kimchi stir-fry is perfect served over rice as a flavorful topping for a rice bowl. It’s also fantastic stirred into leftover rice to create a quick and satisfying kimchi fried rice. The next morning, you can even use the leftovers to make the popular ‘Woo Young Woo’ style kimbap! This is a highly recommended, hassle-free side dish for keeping picky eaters happy during school breaks!

