The Ultimate Crispy Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice
Level Up Your Meal: Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice in 2 Easy Steps
Transform your everyday kimchi fried rice into a gourmet delight! This upgraded version features savory bacon, adding a wonderful depth of flavor and a satisfyingly crispy texture. Perfect for a quick yet impressive meal, this recipe is designed to be easy enough for beginners to follow, resulting in restaurant-quality fried rice.
Ingredients
- Well-fermented Kimchi: 0.8 rice bowl portion (aged kimchi recommended!)
- Scallions: A small bunch
- Thick-cut Bacon: 4 strips
- Soy Sauce: 0.5 teaspoon
- Warm Cooked Rice: 1 bowl
- Sugar or Vinegar (to balance sourness)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: A pinch (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your kimchi. Finely chop the kimchi into small pieces. This ensures the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the rice when stir-frying, leading to a more flavorful dish. Using aged kimchi (mukimchi) will add a richer, deeper taste.
Step 2
Finely slice the scallions. Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced scallions and slowly sauté them until fragrant. This process creates ‘scallion oil,’ which is key to infusing the dish with a delicious aroma.
Step 3
Once the scallion oil is fragrant, prepare the bacon. Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 cm). Add the chopped bacon to the pan and cook it alongside the scallions.
Step 4
When the bacon starts to turn slightly golden brown, add the chopped kimchi to the pan. Stir in 0.5 teaspoon of soy sauce to enhance the umami flavor. Mix everything well to ensure the kimchi and bacon are evenly combined.
Step 5
If your kimchi is too sour, add about 0.7 teaspoon of sugar to balance the acidity. Alternatively, if you prefer a tangier flavor, a splash of vinegar can be added. Adjust to your taste!
Step 6
Now, add 1 bowl of warm cooked rice to the pan with the stir-fried kimchi and bacon. Use a spatula to gently break up any clumps of rice and mix everything together until the rice is evenly coated with the flavorful ingredients.
Step 7
For the final touch: Spread the kimchi fried rice evenly in the pan. Press down gently with the spatula to create a slightly crispy layer at the bottom. Cook over low heat for about 1-2 minutes until the rice is lightly crisped. This adds a wonderful texture and nutty flavor. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately.
