Kimchi-Crazy: Spice Up Your Meals with These Delicious Kimchi Recipes!

Kimchi is a Korean staple known for its tangy, spicy and crunchy flavour. Whether you’re already a kimchi fan or just starting to explore this popular fermented food, there are plenty of ways to enjoy it beyond serving it as a side dish.

Kimchi can be used in fried rice, pancakes, stews and many other dishes. In this post, we’re sharing three easy kimchi recipes that bring plenty of flavour to the table.

Kimchi Fried Rice: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Kimchi fried rice is a warm and spicy dish that’s a great way to use leftover rice. With a few simple ingredients, you can turn cooked rice into a satisfying meal.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 200g kimchi, chopped

• 300g cooked rice, preferably leftover rice

• 2 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 onion, finely diced

• 1 carrot, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp gochujang

• 2 spring onions, chopped

• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and garlic and sauté until softened.

2. Add the Kimchi: Add the chopped kimchi and gochujang. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

3. Add the Rice: Add the cooked rice and soy sauce. Stir well to combine.

4. Cook the Eggs: Push the rice to one side of the pan. Add the remaining sesame oil and scramble the eggs. Once cooked, mix them into the rice.

5. Serve: Top with spring onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot.

 

Kimchi Jeon: Crispy and Savoury Kimchi Pancakes

Kimchi jeon is a Korean-style savoury pancake made with chopped kimchi, flour and a simple batter. Crispy on the outside and packed with flavour, these pancakes make a great snack or side dish.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 150g kimchi, roughly chopped

• 100g plain flour

• 1 egg

• 150ml cold water

• 1 tbsp gochujang

• 2 spring onions, finely sliced

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, for the dipping sauce

• 1 tsp sesame seeds, optional

Instructions:

1. Make the Batter: In a bowl, combine the flour, egg, cold water and gochujang. Stir in the chopped kimchi and spring onions.

2. Fry the Pancakes: Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour the batter into the pan to make small pancakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.

3. Make the Dipping Sauce: Mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil. Add sesame seeds if desired.

4. Serve: Serve the pancakes hot with the dipping sauce on the side.

 

Kimchi Jjigae: A Bowl of Spicy Comfort

Kimchi jjigae is a Korean kimchi stew made with kimchi, pork, tofu and a spicy broth. It’s a hearty one-pot meal that’s ideal for a comforting dinner.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 250g kimchi, with juices

• 200g pork belly, thinly sliced

• 1 onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp gochugaru

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp gochujang

• 500ml chicken or vegetable stock

• 100g tofu, cubed

• 2 spring onions, sliced, for garnish

• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pork and Vegetables: Heat the sesame oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pork belly and cook until lightly browned. Add the onion and garlic and cook for another 3 minutes.

2. Add the Kimchi and Spices: Stir in the kimchi, gochugaru and gochujang. Cook for about 5 minutes until fragrant.

3. Simmer: Add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Add the Tofu: Add the tofu and cook for another 5 minutes.

5. Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with sliced spring onions. Serve with steamed rice.

Fun Kimchi Facts

• Kimchi has a long history in Korean cuisine, with early forms dating back centuries.

• There are hundreds of varieties of kimchi, made with different vegetables, seasonings and preparation methods.

• Kimchi is a fermented food and is traditionally made through lactic acid fermentation.

Shop Kimchi at Asia Market

Whether you’re new to kimchi or already enjoy it regularly, there are many varieties to explore, from traditional cabbage kimchi to radish kimchi and different levels of spice.

Kimchi is more than a side dish. Use it in fried rice, crispy pancakes or a comforting stew to add its distinctive fermented, spicy flavour to your meals.

Try these recipes at home and share your creations with us using #AsiaMarketRecipes. Happy cooking!