Kimchi Beef Fried Rice
Melted Cheese Pull
A comforting Korean-inspired bowl featuring savory beef, pungent kimchi, and gooey mozzarella cheese, finished with umami-rich seaweed flakes.
Kimchi fried rice is a staple of Korean home cooking, known for its bold flavors and ease of preparation. This version adds tender beef rolls and a generous layer of melted cheese to balance the spicy kick of the gochujang. It is the perfect one-pan comfort meal for a cold winter day.
Ingredients
- 1 white onion
- 300 g thin beef rolls
- 1 cup chopped kimchi
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 handfuls shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp ginger juice
- to taste roasted seaweed flakes
Instructions
- 1Dice the white onion

Begin the preparation by finely dicing a fresh white onion. White onions are specifically chosen for this recipe because they are more pungent and flavorful than red onions, providing a robust base for the fried rice.
Tip: Wearing a plastic glove while handling onions prevents the strong, lingering scent from transferring to your skin. - 2Season the kimchi

In a glass bowl, combine chopped kimchi with a spoonful of Korean chili paste (gochujang) and a sprinkle of chili powder. This mixture will serve as the primary seasoning for the entire dish.
Tip: The saltiness and depth of flavor from the kimchi and gochujang mean you dont need to marinate the beef in advance. - 3Prepare the sauce base

Use a wooden spoon to mix the kimchi, chili paste, and chili powder together until they are fully incorporated. Ensure the kimchi pieces are evenly coated with the spicy seasonings.
Tip: Mixing these ingredients beforehand allows the flavors to meld, creating a more consistent taste in the final stir-fry. - 4Sauté the aromatics

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add the diced white onions and minced garlic. Stir-fry them with a spatula until they turn translucent and become very fragrant.
Tip: Using a non-stick pan allows you to sauté these aromatics without adding any extra oil, keeping the dish light. - 5Add the beef rolls

Add 300g of thin, frozen beef rolls into the pan, placing them directly on top of the sautéed onions. These rolls are thin enough to cook quickly without needing to be thawed first.
Tip: Beef rolls are an excellent choice for quick meals because they have a high surface area and cook through in just a few minutes. - 6Add ginger juice to the beef

Pour some yellow ginger juice over the raw beef rolls. This step is essential for neutralizing any gamey odors from the meat while adding a light, aromatic layer of flavor that complements the spicy kimchi base.
Tip: If you dont have bottled ginger juice, you can grate fresh ginger and squeeze the pulp to obtain the liquid. - 7Mix in the kimchi sauce

Add the prepared mixture of chopped kimchi, Korean chili paste (gochujang), and chili powder into the pan. Use a spatula to stir-fry everything together over medium-high heat until the beef rolls are fully coated and start to cook through.
Tip: Stir-fry quickly to prevent the chili paste from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning. - 8Add shredded mozzarella

Once the beef is mostly cooked and the sauce is bubbling, sprinkle two large handfuls of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly across the top. The cheese will melt into the sauce, creating a rich and creamy texture that balances the heat.
Tip: For the best cheese pull, use low-moisture mozzarella or a blend of pizza cheeses. - 9Add the cooked rice

Place a large mound of cooked white rice directly into the center of the pan on top of the melted cheese and beef mixture. Using day-old or slightly firm rice is ideal as it wont become mushy during the final stir-fry.
Tip: If using fresh rice, spread it out on a plate to cool and dry for a few minutes before adding it to the pan. - 10Stir-fry the rice

Using a red spatula, break apart the mound of rice and thoroughly mix it into the beef, kimchi, and melted cheese base. Ensure every grain is evenly coated with the spicy sauce and the cheese is well-distributed.
Tip: Use a pressing and folding motion with the spatula to incorporate the sauce without mashing the rice grains. - 11Garnish with seaweed

To finish, sprinkle a generous amount of crushed roasted seaweed flakes over the pan. This soul of the dish adds a wonderful umami crunch and salty depth that rounds out the entire meal.
Tip: You can use pre-crushed seaweed or simply crumble a few sheets of roasted snack seaweed by hand.