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!
