Korean Bibimbap Bowl

Rice bowl with sautéed vegetables, marinated beef, and a fried egg.

Korean Bibimbap Bowl :

Bibimbap is a classic Korean dish meaning “mixed rice.” It features a bowl of steamed rice topped with a variety of sautéed vegetables, marinated meat (or tofu for a vegetarian option), a fried egg, and spicy gochujang sauce. This dish is all about balance and vibrant flavors—a mix of savory, spicy, sweet, and umami in every bite!

Ingredients:

1- For the Beef (Bulgogi-style):

• ½ lb (225g) beef (ribeye or sirloin), thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp ginger, grated
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

2- For the Bibimbap Bowl:

• 2 cups cooked short-grain rice (warm)
• 1 small carrot, julienned
• 1 small zucchini, julienned
• ½ cup bean sprouts
• ½ cup spinach (or other leafy greens)
• 4-5 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp sesame oil (for sautéing)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 eggs (fried, sunny-side-up)
• 1 sheet nori (seaweed), cut into strips (optional)
• Sesame seeds & sliced green onions (for garnish)

3- For the Gochujang Sauce:

• 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey (or sugar)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp water (to thin, if needed)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Beef:

• Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ginger, and black pepper in a bowl.
• Add the sliced beef, mix well, and let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour for more flavor).

2. Prepare the Vegetables:

• Heat a little sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Sauté carrots for 1-2 minutes until slightly soft. Remove and set aside.
• Sauté zucchini for 1-2 minutes until tender. Remove and set aside.
• Sauté mushrooms until browned. Remove and set aside.
• Blanch the spinach in hot water for 30 seconds, drain, and season with a little sesame oil and salt.
• Quickly blanch bean sprouts for 30 seconds, drain, and season lightly.

3. Cook the Beef:

• Heat a pan over medium-high heat.
• Cook the marinated beef for 3-5 minutes, stirring until browned and caramelized.

4. Make the Gochujang Sauce:

• In a small bowl, mix all sauce ingredients until smooth.

5. Assemble the Bibimbap Bowl:

• Add warm rice to a bowl.
• Arrange sautéed vegetables, cooked beef, and a sunny-side-up egg on top.
• Drizzle with gochujang sauce.
• Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and nori strips.

6. Mix & Enjoy!

• Before eating, mix everything together for the best flavor.

A perfect balance of savory, spicy, and umami goodness!

Tips for the Perfect Bibimbap

• Use Short-Grain Rice – Traditional Korean rice is slightly sticky, helping everything mix well.
• Sauté Vegetables Separately – Each topping should be lightly seasoned and cooked individually for the best flavor and texture.
• Marinate the Protein – Whether using beef, chicken, tofu, or mushrooms, marinate with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and a hint of sugar for extra depth.
• Fry the Egg Just Right – A runny yolk creates a delicious sauce when mixed into the rice.
• Don’t Skip Gochujang – This Korean chili paste gives bibimbap its signature spicy-sweet kick! Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
• Serve in a Hot Stone Bowl (Dolsot Bibimbap) – If possible, use a heated stone bowl to create a crispy rice layer at the bottom, adding texture to the dish.

Enjoy your meal!