Savory Kimchi Egg Fried Rice

By DishFrames
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A vibrant, savory-sweet fusion dish that perfectly combines fermented kimchi, fluffy scrambled eggs, and fresh aromatics for a satisfying quick meal.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

Kimchi fried rice is a beloved staple of Korean home cooking, celebrated for its bold, tangy profile and ability to transform simple leftovers into a feast. This version elevates the classic with a fragrant base of soybean paste and aromatics, resulting in a complex depth of flavor that is both comforting and deeply addictive.

Golden, savory kimchi egg fried rice, garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.
Golden, savory kimchi egg fried rice, garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.
Prep15 mins
Cook10 mins
Total25 mins
Yield2 servings
DifficultyEasy
Calories550 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Chop the kimchi
    Finely chopped kimchi pieces on a wooden cutting board.

    Take a small amount of kimchi and chop it into small, manageable pieces. This ensures the flavor distributes evenly throughout the fried rice.

    Tip: Chop the kimchi finely for better texture integration with the rice grains.
  2. 2Scramble the eggs
    Pouring beaten eggs from a small bowl into a hot, smoking wok.

    Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until lightly smoking. Pour in the beaten eggs and gently scramble them until they are just set but still soft. Remove the eggs from the wok and set them aside for later.

    Tip: Do not overcook the eggs at this stage, as they will be added back into the hot rice later.
  3. 3Fry the aromatics
    Adding minced garlic, chopped red chili, and soybean paste into a hot wok from a small white plate.

    In a clean wok, heat oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped millet chili, and soybean paste. Stir-fry the mixture continuously until the aromatics release their fragrance and the oil takes on a rich color.

    Tip: Keep the heat moderate to avoid burning the garlic and soybean paste, which can turn the dish bitter.
  4. 4Stir-fry kimchi and ham
    Chopped kimchi and diced ham being stir-fried in a wok with aromatics.

    Add the chopped kimchi and diced ham into the wok containing the fragrant garlic, chili, and soybean paste base. Stir-fry everything together until well combined and fragrant.

    Tip: Ensure the ham is lightly browned to enhance the savory depth of the dish.
  5. 5Add the rice
    Adding a plate of cooked white rice into a wok with stir-fried aromatics.

    Pour the bowl of loose, cooked white rice into the wok over the aromatic base. Use a spatula to press and break apart any clumps, ensuring the rice grains separate and begin to absorb the flavors in the pan.

    Tip: Day-old chilled rice works best for fried rice, as the grains are firmer and less likely to become mushy.
  6. 6Add vegetables
    Pouring diced purple onions and chopped bok choy from a white plate into the wok with fried rice.

    Toss the diced onions and chopped bok choy into the wok with the rice. Stir-fry everything together evenly so the vegetables slightly soften and mix perfectly into the rice.

    Tip: Add the leafy greens later in the cooking process so they retain their crunch and vibrant color.
  7. 7Stir-fry the rice
    Rice, onions, and bok choy being tossed and stir-fried in a wok.

    Add the cooked rice to the wok along with diced onion and bok choy. Season with chicken essence and white sugar, and continue to stir-fry for about one minute until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed and heated through.

    Tip: Use loose, cooked rice to ensure the grains dont clump together during stir-frying.
  8. 8Incorporate the eggs
    Scrambled eggs being added to the rice mixture in the wok.

    Return the previously cooked, scrambled eggs to the wok. Toss and mix everything well to combine the flavors.

    Tip: Add the eggs near the end to keep them tender and prevent overcooking.
  9. 9Final garnish and serve
    Green onions being mixed into the finished kimchi fried rice in the wok.

    Sprinkle in the chopped green onions, stir briefly to combine, and remove from heat. The dish is now ready to serve.

    Tip: Fresh green onions add a bright color and sharp, crisp flavor to finish the dish.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
2 days
Store in an airtight container to keep the rice from drying out.
Reheating
3–5 min
Reheat in a wok or frying pan over medium-high heat with a splash of water to revive the texture.

Burn It Off

Brisk Walking
~1 hour and 50 minutes at a steady pace (~5 km/h).
Swimming
~65 minutes of continuous laps.
Running
~55 minutes at an easy jog (~9 km/h).

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not recommended. Fresh rice contains too much moisture and will likely become mushy when stir-fried. Always use cold, day-old rice for the best results.
Clumping usually happens if the heat is too low or if the rice was too fresh and wet. Ensure your wok is hot and break up any large clumps of rice with your spatula as soon as you add it to the pan.
Yes, simply omit the ham and use a vegetarian-friendly mushroom seasoning or salt instead of chicken essence.
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