Easy Bibimbap Recipe
A classic Korean mixed rice dish, Bibimbap combines warm rice with an array of sautéed and seasoned vegetables, often with marinated meat or tofu, topped with a fried egg and a spicy gochujang sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked short-grain white rice warm
- 1 medium carrots shredded
- 5 oz fresh spinach blanched
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms such as shiitake or cremini
- 1 medium zucchini julienned
- 1 cup bean sprouts blanched
- 4 oz thinly sliced beef (optional) marinated or ground
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil for seasoning and drizzle
- 1 tbsp soy sauce for seasoning/marinade
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 tsp sugar for marinade (if using beef)
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Prepare rice: Cook short-grain white rice according to package directions. Keep warm. For best results, use day-old rice if possible.
- 2. Prepare vegetables: In separate pans or batches, sauté shredded carrots, julienned zucchini, and sliced mushrooms until tender-crisp. Blanch spinach and bean sprouts, then squeeze out excess water. Season each vegetable separately with a pinch of salt, a dash of sesame oil, and a tiny bit of minced garlic (except mushrooms).
- 3. Cook meat (if using): If using beef, marinate with 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 clove minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp sesame oil for 10-15 minutes. Cook in a pan until browned and fully cooked.
- 4. Fry eggs: Heat a little oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry eggs sunny-side up or over easy, ensuring the yolk remains runny.
- 5. Assemble Bibimbap: In a large serving bowl, place a bed of warm rice. Artfully arrange the prepared seasoned vegetables and cooked beef (if using) in separate sections around the rice.
- 6. Add finishing touches: Gently place the fried egg on top, ideally in the center. Dollop 1-2 tablespoons of gochujang alongside the egg. Drizzle with a little extra sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
- 7. Serve: Before eating, mix all the ingredients thoroughly with your spoon, allowing the runny yolk and gochujang to coat the rice and vegetables for a truly authentic Bibimbap experience.
Notes
Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what's in season or your preference. Popular additions include cucumber, bell peppers, or kimchi. For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and add more vegetables or pan-fried tofu. Adjust gochujang to your spice preference. A perfect fried egg has a crispy edge and a runny yolk.