• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Korean Bapsang logo

  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Appetizer/Snack
    • Main Dish
      • Meat
      • Noodles and Rice
      • Seafood
    • Side Dish
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soup
    • Stew
    • Desserts/Sweets
    • Korean-Chinese
    • Vegetables
    • Vegetarian dish
    • Traditional holiday food
      • Chuseok (Korean thanksgiving)
    • Special Event
    • Korean BBQ
  • Pantry
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Featured On
    • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Noodles and Rice

    Bibimbap

    Published 02/08/2022. Updated 02/08/2022

    Jump to Recipe

    A wholesome rice bowl of classic bibimbap vegetables, beef and a gochujang sauce! Enjoy it at home with this easy bibimbap recipe. You can omit the meat and egg for vegetarian or vegan bibimbap. 

    DSC3740 2 - Bibimbap

    What is bibimbap?

    Bibimbap (비빔밥) is a large bowl of rice topped with an array of individually prepared vegetables and meat and served with a gochujang (고추장) sauce. Bibim means mixing, and bap means rice. The mixing usually happens at the table by the diner.

    Once you mix the vegetables, meat, and rice with a spicy gochujang sauce, you can enjoy a delicious harmony of different flavors and textures with every bite. This wholesome rice bowl is one of my absolute favorite Korean comfort foods!

    In Korea, there are many different types of bibimbap depending on toppings, regions, sauces, etc. Sannamul (산나물, wild vegetables) bibimbap, jeyuk (제육, spicy pork) bibimbap, haemul (해물, seafood) bibimbap, and yeolmu (열무, young radish greens) bibimbap are a few examples. 

    The most famous bibimbap, however, comes from Jeonju, the capital city of North Jeolla Province. Jeonju bibimbap is known for quality ingredients and elaborate preparations with as many as 30 toppings. 

    At home, we often make this dish using the side dishes left over from previous meals. It’s a delicious way to use up the leftovers. But, you can easily make it with a few freshly made simple side dishes. Hope you enjoy it at home with this easy to follow bibimbap recipe.

    Once you mix the vegetables, meat, and rice with a spicy gochujang sauce, you can enjoy a delicious harmony of different flavors and textures with every bite. It’s one of my absolute favorite Korean comfort foods! Hope you enjoy it at home with this easy to follow bibimbap recipe.

    DSC3899 4 - Bibimbap

    Bibimbap Ingredients

    As mentioned above, there are many variations of bibimbap. The most common type of bibimbap includes beef and a few vegetables and is usually topped with a sunny side up fried egg.

    For the meat, bulgogi style beef is most common, but you can also use ground beef seasoned the same way. You can also use chicken bulgogi or spicy pork if you like.

    While bibimbap vegetable options are endless and you can use any number of them, here are common bibimbap vegetables that I used in this recipe:

    • Beansprouts (sukju namul, 숙주나물) or soybean sprouts (kongnamul, 콩나물 ). In Korea, kongnamul is more common in bibimbap. 
    • Spinach (시금치)
    • Cucumbers (오이)
    • Mushrooms (버섯): Pyogo beoseot (표고버섯) is classic, but you can use any mushrooms you like.
    • Carrots (당근): You can use red or orange bell peppers instead.

    Other common bibimbap vegetables include zucchini, mu saengchae (radish salad), onion (sliced and sautéd), bellflower roots (doraji – soaked and sautéd), gosari (fiddlehead ferns), lettuce leaves, red cabbage, kimchi, gim (roasted seaweed sheet, aka nori) and so on. Also see my collection of 15 Korean vegetable side dishes for more options. 

    DSC3789 01 2 - Bibimbap

    Which rice to use

    Koreans typically use short grain white rice for this dish. If you want to make this Korean rice bowl even healthier, use short grain brown rice or mixed grain rice instead. If short grain rice is not available in your area, use any rice you can find.

    Cook the rice in a rice cooker or following package directions, using a little less water than called for. The rice should be a little drier than usual for best results.

    Bibimbap sauce

    The most common bibimbap sauce is gochujang, but other sauces, such as yangnyeom ganjang (soy sauce based) and doenjang are also used. If you have a tub of ssamjang, it’s great as a bibimbap sauce as well. 

    The salty, spicy, and slightly sweet and umami packed gochujang doesn’t really need much of anything else for bibimbap. I simply use some water to thin it out for easy mixing and add a little bit of sugar and sesame oil. That’s it! The thickness and sweetness of gochujang vary, depending on the brand. Also, if your gochujang has been sitting in your fridge, it probably has dried out a bit too. Adjust the amounts of water and sugar accordingly.

    Recipe Card 17 1 - Bibimbap

    How to make it

    This recipe seems long, but it’s actually a collection of several basic side dishes (banchan) that are very simple to make. Season individual toppings lightly as everything will be mixed with a gochujang sauce. 

    Beef: Unless you’re using pre-cut bulgogi meat or ground beef, cut the beef into thin, bite sized strips/slices. Mix in the marinade ingredients and marinate for about 20 minutes. Sauté in a skillet for 2 – 3 minutes over high heat.

    Recipe Card 8 - Bibimbap

    Vegetables: The vegetable toppings are basically namul dishes (seasoned vegetable side dishes). They are either blanched, salted or stir-fried before being seasoned with a few basic seasoning ingredients. 

    For the beansprouts and spinach, bring some water to a boil and blanch the vegetable. Drain quickly and shock in cold water to stop cooking. Drain again. Toss with the seasoning ingredients. If using soybean sprouts (kongnamul) instead, I’ve added it in the recipe card under More Vegetable Options.  

    Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise and then thinly slice crosswise. Generously sprinkle salt over sliced cucumbers and set aside for 10 – 15 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid. Toss with the seasoning ingredients. 

    Recipe Card 14 - Bibimbap

    For the mushrooms and carrots, thinly slice them. Sauté each vegetable in a lightly oiled skillet for 1 – 2 minutes over medium-high heat, sprinkling salt and pepper to taste. You can cook zucchini or onion slices the same way, if using. 

    An egg can be sunny side up, or fully cooked. Sometimes, only a raw egg yoke is used, which is typical for Jeonju bibimbap.

    Dolsot bibimbap

    You can simply serve bibimbap in a large bowl at room temperature. However, when it’s served in a sizzling hot stone bowl (dolsot), your dining experience will rise to the next level. The hot stone bowl gives the bottom layer of rice a nice golden crust, and the rest of the bowl sizzles while being mixed. 

    Lightly oil a stone or earthenware bowl with a teaspoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add a serving of cooked rice and arrange the toppings on top. Cook for several minutes until the rice sizzles.

    Recipe Card 10 - Bibimbap

    There are various types of stone pots or earthenwares available at Korean markets and/or on line. If unavailable, use a cast iron pan or a casserole dish for the similar effect.

    Vegetarian or vegan bibimbap

    Making a vegetarian or vegan bibimbap is easy! Simply skip the meat and egg. A few vegetable toppings will be great, but tofu is a great meat substitute and a protein option. As I showed in my tofu bibimbap recipe, pan-frying the tofu enhances the nutty flavor of the tofu and gives it a nice chewy texture.

    If you have vegetarian/vegan kimchi, slice it up a little. It will make a nice addition to your rice bowl.

    More bibimbap recipes

    Tofu Bibimbap – vegan
    Spring Bibimbap with Canned Tuna

    DSC3633 03 2 1 e1644299025954 - Bibimbap

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow  along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    DSC3899 4 500x500 - Bibimbap

    Bibimbap

    4.42 from 85 votes
    Main Course
    Prep Time: 25 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    Rice:

    • 3 cups short grain rice

    Meat:

    • 8 ounces thinly sliced tender beef (rib eye, sirloin, etc. or ground beef)
    • 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
    • 2 teaspoons rice wine
    • 1 teaspoon minced garlic (This recipes needs 2.5 teaspoons minced garlic in total. Mince it all at once for efficiency.)
    • 1 tablespoon chopped scallion (This recipe needs 4 tablespoons, 1 or 2 scallions depending on the size, in total. Chop them all once for efficiency.)
    • pepper to taste

    Vegetables and eggs:

    • 8 ounces mung bean sprouts (sukju, 숙주) or soybean sprouts (kongnamul, 콩나물) - see more vegetable options below.
    • 1 bunch spinach, about 8 ounces
    • 2 small cucumbers, about 5 ounces
    • 4 ounces mushrooms (shiitake, white, cremini, etc.)
    • 2 medium carrots, about 5 ounces
    • 1.5 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
    • 3 3 tablespoons chopped scallion, divided
    • sesame oil
    • sesame seeds
    • salt
    • 4 eggs - optional
    • cooking oil

    More vegetable options

    • 8 ounces Kongnamul (soybean sprouts)
    • 10 ounces mu (Korean radish)

    Bibimbap sauce

    • 4 tablespoons gochujang, 고추장
    • 2 teaspoons sugar - adjust to taste, 1-3 teaspoons
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon water

    Instructions

    Rice:

    • Cook the rice, without soaking and using a little less water than the amount you normally use. The rice for bibimbap should be a little drier than usual for best results.
      DSC3471 640x427 - Bibimbap

    Meat:

    • Beef: Cut into thin 2-inch long strips. Mix in 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, 2 teaspoons of rice wine, 1 tablespoon of chopped scallion, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/2 sesame seeds and a pinch of pepper. Marinate for 20 minutes. Sauté in a skillet for 2-3 minutes over high heat.
      Recipe Card 8 640x427 - Bibimbap

    Vegetables:

    • Bean sprouts: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the bean sprouts and briefly blanch, about 1 minute, flipping over once. Drain quickly and shock in cold water to stop cooking. Drain again. Toss with 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and salt (about 1/2 teaspoon).
      Recipe Card 4 640x427 - Bibimbap
    • Spinach: Blanch the spinach in salted boiling water only until wilted, about 40 seconds. Drain quickly and shock in cold water. Squeeze out water. Cut into 3-inch lengths. Toss with 1 tablespoon of chopped scallion, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds and salt (about 1/2 teaspoon).
      Recipe Card 6 640x427 - Bibimbap
    • Cucumbers: Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise and then thinly slice crosswise. Generously sprinkle salt (about 1/2 teaspoon) over sliced cucumbers and set aside for 10 - 15 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid. Toss with 1 tablespoon of chopped scallion, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds.
      Recipe Card 11 640x427 - Bibimbap
    • Mushrooms and carrots: Thinly slice the mushrooms and carrots. Sauté each vegetable in a lightly oiled skillet for 1 - 2 minutes over medium-high heat, sprinkling with salt (about 1/4 teaspoon).
      Recipe Card 7 640x427 - Bibimbap

    More vegetable options:

    • Kongnamul (Soybean sprouts): Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the soy beansprouts and boil for 2-3 minutes. Drain quickly and shock in cold water to stop cooking. Drain again. Toss with 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and salt (about 1/2 teaspoon) to taste.
      Recipe Card 15 640x427 - Bibimbap
    • Musaengchae (spicy radish salad): Cut 10 ounces of Korean radish (mu) into matchsticks. Add 2 tablespoons of chopped scallion, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste), 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds. Mix everything well.
      Recipe Card 16 640x427 - Bibimbap

    Optional Eggs:

    • Fry the eggs sunny side up or to your preference.
      DSC3700 640x427 - Bibimbap

    Bibimbap sauce:

    • Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
      DSC4021 640x427 - Bibimbap

    Assembling:

    • Place a serving of rice in a big bowl. Nicely arrange a small amount of each prepared vegetable and beef over the rice. Drizzle a little sesame oil over. Top with an optional fried egg and serve with the sauce.
    • For dolsot bibimbap: Lightly oil a stone or earthenware bowl with a teaspoon of sesame oil over medium heat. Add a serving of cooked rice and arrange the toppings on top. Cook for several minutes until the rice sizzles.
      Recipe Card 10 640x427 - Bibimbap

    Notes

    Other common bibimbap vegetables include zucchini, mu saengchae (radish salad), onion (sliced and sautéd), bellflower roots (doraji - soaked and sautéd), gosari (fiddlehead ferns), lettuce leaves, red cabbage, kimchi, gim (roasted seaweed sheet, aka nori) and so on. Also see my collection of 15 Korean vegetable side dishes for more options. 
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

    This easy bibimbap recipe was originally posted on this blog back in February 2010. I made a few minor adjustments with new photos over time. This time, I’ve updated it with the new photos, more information and different variations and topping options. 

    You may also like:

    • DSC 2293 e1548226295705 150x150 - BibimbapTofu Bibimbap (Vegan Bibimbap)
    • DSC9252 6 150x150 - BibimbapSpring Bibimbap with Tuna
    • DSC1057 2 150x150 - BibimbapKongnamul Bap (Soybean Sprout Rice Bowl)
    • DSC 4150 2 150x150 - BibimbapHaemul Bap (Seafood Rice Bowl)
    « Manduguk (Korean Dumpling Soup)
    Gilgeori Toast (Korean Street Toast) »
    11548 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Korean Bapsang

    Korean Bapsang Author
    Hi! I'm Hyosun, and I am a Korean-American mom of two wonderful grown-up children. Here, you will learn how to cook Korean dishes the way we Koreans traditionally eat at home. Read More...

    Never Miss a Recipe

    Popular Recipes

    • a large bowl of red spicy Korean stir-fried rice cakes with serving plates and chopsticks
    • 2 quarter-heads of napa cabbage kimchi in a large ceramic bowl
    • Stir-fried glass noodles with beef and vegetables in a square bowl
    • DSC 06281 e1422146518897 500x500 - Bibimbap
    • Korean noodles in a black bean sauce topped with cucumber matchsticks and served in a white bowl
    • A 6-photo collage of 15 Korean vegetable side dishes
    • Korean fried chicken nuggets in a sweet and savory sauce
    • kimchi stew with tofu in an earthen pot with the lid laid on the side of the pot

    Popular Categories

    Noodles and rice category banner

    Korean BBQ category banner

    Stews category banner

    As Featured On:

       

    Footer

    Korean Bapsang New Logo

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 · All rights reserved · Korean Bapsang