Bibimbap is a Korean rice bowl topped with vegetable sides and meat and served with a gochujang sauce. Follow my easy step-by-step recipe to make the best bibimbap!
8ouncesbeefrib eye or sirloin (substitute shiitake mushrooms for a vegetarian dish)
2cupsboiled gosari*고사리 (fernbrake)
16ouncessoybean sprouts콩나물 (or mung bean sprouts, 숙주)
1bunchspinach
2kirbypickling cucumbers (or 1 Korean cucumber)
2small zucchinis
2medium carrots
5teaspoonsminced garlic
2or 3 scallionschopped
soy sauce
sesame oil
roasted sesame seeds
salt and pepper
vegetable or canola oil
4eggs
For the bibimbap sauce
4tablespoonsof Korean red chili pepper pastegochujang, 고추장
1tablespoonof sugar
1tablespoonof sesame oil
3tablespoonsof water
Instructions
For the rice:
Cook the rice in a rice cooker or following package directions, using a little less water than called for. The rice for bibimbap should be a little drier than usual for best results.
For the bibimbap bowl toppings:
Beef: Cut into thin 2-inch long strips. Mix in 1 tablespoon 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.
Gosari (Fern brake): Cut into 3-inch lengths. Season with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and a pinch of pepper. Let stand for 10 minutes. Sauté in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of vegetable/canola oil for about 5 minutes over medium heat.
Soybean sprouts: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil with a teaspoon of salt. Add the bean sprouts and boil for 3 minutes. Drain quickly and shock in cold water to stop cooking. Drain again. Toss with 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds, and salt and pepper to taste.
Spinach: Blanch the spinach in salted boiling water only until wilted, 30 - 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 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds and salt and pepper to taste.
Cucumbers: 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 1 tablespoon of chopped scallion, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon of sesame seeds.
Zucchinis: Cut the zucchinis in half lengthwise and then thinly slice crosswise. Generously sprinkle salt over sliced zucchinis and set aside for 10 - 15 minutes. Squeeze out excess liquid from salted zucchini by hand. Add 1 tablespoon of chopped scallion, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds. Sauté in a lightly oiled skillet for 1 - 2 minutes over medium high heat.
Carrots: Julienne the carrots into matchsticks. Sauté in a lightly oiled skillet for 1 - 2 minutes over medium-high heat, sprinkling salt and pepper to taste.
For the bibimbap sauce:
Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
For assembling:
Place a serving of rice in a big bowl. (If using a stone bowl, heat it over medium heat until very hot. Add 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil and rice and cook the rice for several minutes until the rice sizzles.) Nicely arrange a small amount of each prepared vegetable and beef over the rice. Drizzle a little sesame oil over. Top with an egg fried sunny-side up and serve with the sauce.
Notes
*You can buy dried gosari (고사리) at any Korean market. Rehydrate by boiling in water until tender. **Other common toppings for bibimbap include shiitake mushrooms (sliced and sautéd), bellflower roots (doraji – soaked and sautéd), sukju namul (bean sprouts), mu saengchae(radish salad), onion (sliced and sautéd), lettuce leaves, kimchi (sliced), etc.