Spam Kimchi Fried Rice: A Hearty, Crowd-Pleasing One-Bowl Meal
Make Special Spam Kimchi Fried Rice with Quail Egg Garnish: A Perfect Solo Meal
A universally loved Spam Kimchi Fried Rice! This dish is incredibly easy to make with just Spam, well-fermented kimchi, and leftover rice. It’s a perfect standalone meal requiring no side dishes, making it ideal for a solo dining experience. The addition of quail eggs as a garnish adds a delightful surprise and makes it visually appealing. Gather your ingredients and let’s create this delicious Spam Kimchi Fried Rice at home!
Main Ingredients
- 1/3 green onion, finely chopped
- 200g aged kimchi, finely chopped
- 1/2 can Spam (approx. 200g), diced into 0.7cm cubes
- 230g cooked rice (about 1.5 bowls)
- Cooking oil (canola or vegetable oil)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust based on kimchi’s sourness)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (or ‘mat-ganjang’ – seasoned soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Garnish Ingredients
- 10-12 quail eggs
- 1 slice white cheddar cheese
- 1 slice orange cheddar cheese
- 10-12 quail eggs
- 1 slice white cheddar cheese
- 1 slice orange cheddar cheese
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the green onion, which adds a wonderful aroma to the fried rice. Finely chop about 1/3 of a green onion into roughly 1cm pieces.
Step 2
If you have an onion, dice about 1/4 of it into 0.7cm cubes. The onion’s sweetness will enhance the savory flavor of the fried rice. (Onion is optional.)
Step 3
Open the Spam can and rinse the Spam under cold water to reduce some of its saltiness. Then, dice it into bite-sized cubes, approximately 0.7cm.
Step 4
Place the aged kimchi in a bowl and finely chop it using kitchen scissors into pieces about 1cm in size. This ensures the kimchi mixes well with the rice.
Step 5
Heat a wide pan over medium-low heat. Add 3-4 tablespoons of cooking oil and sauté the chopped green onion until fragrant. This step creates aromatic green onion oil.
Step 6
Once the green onion is lightly browned and releasing its aroma, increase the heat to high. Add the diced Spam and onion (if using) and stir-fry quickly. The Spam will release its own fat, adding more flavor.
Step 7
When the onion becomes translucent and the Spam is lightly browned, add the chopped kimchi and continue to stir-fry.
Step 8
Add 1 tablespoon of sugar to balance the sourness of the kimchi and add a touch of sweetness. Adjust the amount based on how sour your kimchi is.
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru for color and a mild spicy kick.
Step 10
Stir-fry everything together over high heat for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the kimchi to lose some of its moisture and deepen in flavor.
Step 11
Push the ingredients to one side of the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of seasoned soy sauce (mat-ganjang) to the empty space and let it sizzle and caramelize slightly. This adds another layer of umami.
Step 12
Once the soy sauce has slightly reduced, mix it with the other ingredients. Add the 230g of cooked rice. If the rice is clumped, break it up with your spatula as you mix.
Step 13
When mixing in the rice, it’s best to reduce the heat to low or even turn it off temporarily. Gently mix the rice with the seasoning until each grain is evenly coated. Then, turn the heat back up to high and stir-fry for about 1 minute until the rice grains are distinct and slightly crispy.
Step 14
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 15
Sprinkle 1.5 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds over the top. Mix well to combine. Your delicious Spam Kimchi Fried Rice is ready! If you find the seasoning insufficient, a pinch of salt can be added to adjust.
Step 16
While a fried egg is a classic topping, we’re going to make this extra special with quail eggs and cheese for a cute garnish! I got inspired by a recent video from Kuket Korea; it looked so charming. First, carefully crack the quail eggs into a measuring cup or small bowl, ensuring the yolks remain intact.
Step 17
Firmly press the fried rice into a rice bowl, then carefully invert it onto the center of a pan (about 18cm in diameter). This will form the base. We’ll cook the quail eggs in the remaining space around the rice. Adjust the pan size according to your rice bowl size.
Step 18
Lightly grease the empty space in the pan around the rice with a little cooking oil.
Step 19
Turn the heat to very low. Carefully place the quail eggs into the oiled space in the pan. Using a teaspoon, gently position the yolks so they are spaced evenly, being careful not to break them. As the egg whites begin to cook and set, they will help hold the yolks in place. Cook gently until the whites are set.
Step 20
Now, let’s create the cute fried egg garnish! Prepare one slice each of white and orange cheddar cheese. Cut the white cheese into a larger, wavy shape to resemble egg white. Cut the orange cheese into a small, round shape for the yolk. Layer them together to mimic a fried egg.
Step 21
Gently place the decorative cheese ‘fried egg’ on top of the cooked quail eggs. Your visually delightful Spam Kimchi Fried Rice is now complete!
Step 22
Salty Spam, tangy kimchi, savory rice, and a cute fried egg topping – it’s an irresistible combination! Enjoy making and savoring this beautiful and delicious Spam Kimchi Fried Rice!
