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Kimchi fried rice is a popular Korean dish made with rice, kimchi, and spam. This dish is easy to make and can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish. I’ll never forget the first time I had spam. It was in a kimchi fried rice with spam dish at a little restaurant in Korea, and I was absolutely amazed. The salty, smoky flavor of the spam mixed perfectly with the spicy kimchi and savory rice. Since then, Liliana Kitchen has been obsessed with spam, and I love finding new ways to incorporate it into my cooking. This kimchi fried rice is one of my favorite recipes!
Does Kimchi Go With Spam?
The answer is a definite yes! Spam is often used in Korean dishes and is a great way to add some extra flavor and texture. When combined with the spicy kimchi, it creates a delicious balance of flavors that can’t be found anywhere else. The combination of the two ingredients also makes for a hearty meal that will fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied. So if you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, try making this kimchi fried rice with spam! You won’t regret it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This kimchi fried rice with spam is a one-pot meal that comes together quickly and easily. It’s packed with flavor and the perfect combination of spicy and savory. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and can easily be made vegetarian or vegan if you’d like. So if you’re looking for a delicious way to switch up your dinner routine, look no further than this kimchi fried rice with spam! It’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
Kimchi Spam Fried Rice
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: 3 tbsp
- Small onion, medium dice: ½
- Roughly chopped kimchi: 1 cup (6 ounces)
- Kimchi juice: 2 tbsp
- Small-dice Spam, ham or leftover cooked meat: ½ cup
- Cooked, cooled rice (preferably short-grain): 2 cups
- Soy sauce: 2 tsp
- Sesame oil: 1 tsp
- Vegetable oil: 2 tsp
- Eggs: 2
- Salt
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Crumbled or slivered nori (roasted seaweed) for garnish
How To Make Kimchi Spam Fried Rice
- Kimchi fried rice is a Korean dish that is traditionally made with steamed rice, kimchi, and other ingredients like Spam or ham. It is a popular dish in Korea and is often eaten as a main meal or as a side dish. Kimchi fried rice is a simple dish to make and can be made in just a few minutes.
- The first step is to heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted. Then, add onion and kimchi and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2–3 minutes.
- Once the onion and kimchi are cooked, stir in the kimchi juice and Spam (or ham or other cooked meat) and cook for 1 minute more.
- After that, add the cooked rice and soy sauce. Stir to combine, pressing down on the rice with a spatula to break up any lumps.
- Lower heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Once the five minutes are up, uncover and stir in sesame oil and vegetable oil.
- Make two wells in the pan and crack an egg into each one. Cover and cook for 1 minute more. Uncover and stir to scramble the eggs into the rice. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
- Finally, transfer to a plate or bowl, top with sesame seeds, nori, and extra kimchi juice (optional). And there you have it: a delicious plate of kimchi fried rice!
Watch Video How To Make It:
Recipe Tips & Tricks
• To make this dish even easier, you can use pre-cooked rice or leftovers from dinner.
• Feel free to add other ingredients to the fried rice like vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers), diced tofu or tempeh, cooked chicken or shrimp.
• For an extra kick of flavor, try adding a teaspoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) or sriracha.
• If you don’t have Spam, feel free to substitute cooked ham or even bacon!
• For a vegan version of this recipe, simply omit the eggs and use your favorite plant-based protein instead.
• To make the dish gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• For extra texture and flavor, try garnishing with toasted sesame seeds or chopped scallions.
• To make this dish even more filling, add a fried egg on top!
• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet with a little oil.
Variations
• For a different twist, try making kimchi fried rice with bacon or diced chicken instead of Spam.
• Add some extra heat by stirring in a teaspoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste).
• For a vegan version, swap out the eggs and use tofu or tempeh instead.
• Mix in cooked vegetables like bell peppers, peas, or carrots.
• Top with a fried egg for an extra-filling meal.
• Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free.
• Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions for added texture and flavor.
How To Store & Reheat
Kimchi fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, simply place a few spoonfuls of the rice into a skillet with some oil and cook until heated through.
More Related Korean-Asian Recipes:
- Korean sausage bread
- Musubi Chicken
- Tuna Onigiri recipe
- Crunchy and Spicy Salmon Rolls
- How much water for 2 cups of rice?
Kimchi Fried Rice With Spam Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Kimchi Fried Rice Soggy?
If your kimchi fried rice is soggy, it could be because you added too much liquid (such as soy sauce or kimchi juice). Be sure to only use a small amount of either and make sure the rice is fully cooked before adding any liquid.
Can I Use Fresh Rice To Make Kimchi Fried Rice?
Yes, you can use fresh rice to make kimchi fried rice. The key is to make sure the rice is cooked all the way through before adding any other ingredients. Otherwise, your fried rice will be soggy and mushy.
Is Kimchi Fried Rice Healthy?
It can be a healthy meal option if made with the right ingredients. Using lean meats like Spam (or ham, bacon, or chicken), plenty of vegetables and low-sodium soy sauce will help make this dish a healthier alternative. Be sure to use as little oil as possible when cooking and add only small amounts of kimchi juice for flavor.
What Goes Well With Kimchi Fried Rice?
This goes well with a variety of sides, such as steamed or roasted vegetables, miso soup, and pickled cucumbers. It also pairs nicely with traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap or mandu (Korean dumplings).
What Is The Difference Between Kimchi Fried Rice And Bibimbap?
Kimchi fried rice is a traditional Korean dish that combines kimchi, vegetables, and meat (usually Spam) with cooked rice. Bibimbap is another Korean dish that consists of steamed white rice topped with sautéed or raw vegetables, gochujang (Korean chili paste), and an egg. Both dishes are flavorful and filling, but they have different flavor profiles due to the ingredients used.
Can I Freeze Kimchi Fried Rice?
Yes, you can freeze kimchi fried rice! Simply make sure your fried rice is cool before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. When ready to reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight before transferring to a skillet with a little oil and cooking until heated through.
What Is Kimchi Fried Rice Made Of?
It is made of cooked white rice, kimchi, vegetables, and meat (usually Spam). It can also include eggs, soy sauce and other seasonings. The dish is typically stir-fried in a wok or skillet until all the ingredients are combined and heated through.
What Is The Korean Name For Kimchi Fried Rice?
The Korean name for kimchi fried rice is Kkakdugi Bokkeumbap. It translates to “stir-fried kimchi and rice”.
Conclusion
Kimchi spam fried rice is a delicious and easy dish to make. It is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The kimchi and spam add flavor and protein, while the rice gives the dish its bulk. This dish can be easily customized to your liking. Try adding different vegetables, meats, or sauces to change it up.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: 3 tbsp
- Small onion, medium dice: ½
- Roughly chopped kimchi: 1 cup (6 ounces)
- Kimchi juice: 2 tbsp
- Small-dice Spam, ham or leftover cooked meat: ½ cup
- Cooked, cooled rice (preferably short-grain): 2 cups
- Soy sauce: 2 tsp
- Sesame oil: 1 tsp
- Vegetable oil: 2 tsp
- Eggs: 2
- Salt
- Sesame seeds for garnish
- Crumbled or slivered nori (roasted seaweed) for garnish
Instructions
1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted.
2. Add onion and kimchi and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2–3 minutes.
3. Stir in the kimchi juice and Spam (or ham or other cooked meat) and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add the cooked rice and soy sauce. Stir to combine, pressing down on the rice with a spatula to break up any lumps. Lower heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Uncover and stir in sesame oil and vegetable oil. Make two wells in the pan and crack an egg into each one. Cover and cook for 1 minute more.
6. Uncover and stir to scramble the eggs into the rice. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
7. Transfer to a plate or bowl, top with sesame seeds, nori, and extra kimchi juice (optional).
Notes
- To make your kimchi fried rice extra flavorful, try using a spicy or fermented kimchi.
- If you’d like to make the dish vegetarian, you can use crumbled tofu instead of spam or ham.
- You can also add other vegetables such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and carrots for more flavor and texture.
- If you don’t have kimchi juice, you can use rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
- For an extra kick of flavor, try adding a dash of gochujang (Korean chili paste).
- To make the dish even heartier, try adding some cooked shrimp or chicken.
- Leftover kimchi fried rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
