Bibimbap - Korea's Colorful Rice Bowl
Bibimbap literally means mixed rice, and is one of Korea's most famous dishes. A bowl of steamed rice is topped with colorful vegetables, meat or tofu, a fried egg, and a spoonful of gochujang. Everything is mixed thoroughly just before eating, so that the flavors meld together.
What you need for four servings
- 4 servings cooked rice
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 zucchini, julienned
- 200 g spinach
- 150 g sliced mushrooms
- 4 eggs
- Gochujang, sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds
- Optional: marinated beef or tofu
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables separately in a little oil with a pinch of salt, to keep their colors vibrant.
- Steam or blanch the spinach and wring out the water. Mix with a little sesame oil and garlic.
- Fry the mushrooms until golden.
- Fry the eggs with runny yolks.
- Place hot rice in bowls and arrange the vegetables neatly around it.
- Top with an egg, a spoonful of gochujang, and a little sesame oil.
Tips for that little extra
If you want the crispy rice crust called nurungji, you can press the rice into a hot stone bowl or frying pan with a little oil before adding the toppings. For many, the crunchy bottom is the best part of the dish.
How to eat bibimbap
Bibimbap should be mixed. Take a spoon, thoroughly mix the egg, rice, gochujang, and vegetables, and taste to adjust the amount of chili paste. It is precisely the mixing that makes the dish so satisfying.
Make it your own
The beauty of bibimbap is its flexibility. Use the vegetables you have, swap meat for tofu, or add kimchi on top. There is no one right way, just a bowl full of colors, nutrition, and flavor.
Shop for ingredients at FUDI
At FUDI, you'll find gochujang, sesame oil, Korean rice, and sesame seeds—everything you need to make an authentic bibimbap at home. It's a perfect dish to make when you want to use up vegetables and simultaneously serve something impressive.
