Kimchi Fried Rice

If you’re not yet sure about kimchi (Korean spicy fermented cabbage), this dish could be just the right gateway drug for you. Once sautéed, kimchi loses some of its pungent harshness, but answers back with an addictive, tangy-spicy warmth that deepens with a little time spent sizzling.

Ingreadient

  • 1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil (up to 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 pound chicken or pork (cut into bite-size), or shrimp, optional
  • 4 scallions, whites only, finely sliced (up to 2 scallions)
  • 1 cup kimchi, chopped (up to 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon gochujang (korean chili paste, up to 2 tablespoons)
  • 3 cups cooked rice (up to 4 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 pinch salt, to taste
  • optional ingredients
  • 1/2 bunch buchu (korean garlic chives; called nira in japanese), chopped in inch-long pieces
  • 1 fried egg (per person), to serve on top
  • 4 scallion greens, to garnish (up to 5)
  • 1 handful shredded seaweed, to garnish