Rice mixed with kimchi, vegetables, mushrooms, egg and gochujang, kimchi fried rice has a slight sweet and sour flavor with nice crispy texture.
Whether it is meat or vegetable based, kimchi fried rice is simple, savory and comforting food that can be served at any time of the day with the right pairing.
What to eat with kimchi fried rice? Kimchi fried rice pairs perfectly with fried sunny side up egg, spam, tuna, bacon, seaweed sheets, toasted sesame seeds, cheddar or mozzarella cheese, and variety leafy or root vegetables.
This fresh, bold, and flavorful rice dish is quick and easy to serve one-dish meal that doesn’t need anything else on the side.
However, serving with mild soup such as kongnamul guk or bugeo guk with a side of bulgogi can enhance the spiciness and saltiness while adding more protein.
The two main ingredients of this dish are rice and kimchi. Any type of rice will do, whether it’s sophisticated sprouted rice, brown rice, or simple jasmine rice.
Enjoy it on its own, or better yet, top kimchi fried rice with a fried egg. In this article, we detail the flavors and rice to pair with kimchi fried rice. Read through to learn more!
What is kimchi usually served with?
Kimchi can be served as a main or side dish. It is mainly sliced and added to stews, soups, or chopped and added to rice or noodles. Furthermore, whole leaves are usually used to wrap shellfish, meat, or fish.
Other than kimchi fried rice, the fermented vegetables are commonly served with:
- kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew)
- kimchi jeon (kimchi pancakes)
- budae jjigae (army stew)
- dumplings (kimchi mandu)
- tofu kimchi (dubu kimchi)
- cold kimchi noodles (kimchi guksu)
- noodle salad (bibim guksu)
- kimchi rice bowl (kimchi deopbap)
These famous dishes contain different veggies and meats, and are the most preferred during rainy or cold days.
What rice goes with kimchi?
In general, day old or refrigerated cold rice is the best option when it comes to selecting the right rice that goes with kimchi, especially to make kimchi fried rice.
Short or mixed grain rice goes best with kimchi because its sweet, nutty flavor pairs perfectly with kimchi’s savory and salty flavors. Its distinctive buttered popcorn aroma keeps the kitchen smelling nice and makes the meal inviting.
What flavor goes well with kimchi fried rice?
Several seasonings will make bland kimchi fried rice taste just right. The most basic seasonings include pepper flakes, gochujang and sesame oil.
These ingredients add unique flavors to kimchi fried rice, but be careful since it’s easy to go overboard with these powerful flavorings. Add a little, then taste and add more if it’s not to your liking.
Eggs also add texture and flavor to this fried rice and go in with peas, onions, carrots, and green onions to make the rice tastier. To add some tangy flavor, lemon juice, ginger powder, and fresh garlic will do the trick.
Instead of adding water to the rice, try chicken stock or broth. For a mild nutty flavor, substitute your normal vegetable oil with sesame oil or olive oil, depending on the taste you’re going for.
Here are classic flavors that go well with kimchi fried rice:
- kimchi fried rice + cauliflower rice + tofu + leek
- kimchi fried rice + spam + fish sauce + hot sauce
- kimchi fried rice + minced pork + cheese + seaweed
- kimchi fried rice + bacon + mushroom + chili paste
- kimchi fried rice + pork belly + vegetables + eggs
Eat with Kimchi Fried Rice: Conclusion
Thanks to its versatility, kimchi pairs perfectly with many Korean dishes. It magnifies the flavors and adds a bit of spice to vegetables or meats, but nothing beats a kimchi and fried rice combo.
Kimchi fried rice is made tastier by adding veggies and meat. Not only is this dish delicious, but it’s also hearty as well.
In this rice dish, you can add fried egg, spam, tuna, bacon, seaweed, sesame seeds, melted cheese, and various vegetables to toss with. Serving a side of mild bean sprouts or dried fish soup is highly recommended so that it does not overpower the flavor.
With well made and fermented kimchi, there are various ways to serve with other than kimchi fried rice including stew, pancakes, dumpling, noodles, and salad. Furthermore, kimchi is versatile to pair with spicy, salty, or savory flavor with endless ingredients.
So, the next time you have day old or cold leftover jasmine, white, brown or basmati rice, prepare kimchi fried rice to enjoy a quick and easy to prepare meal for the day.