[Updated 29 January 2021]
All these stay-at-home days may have led to one thing - binge-watching Korean dramas like there’s no tomorrow ? With that comes another problem - Korean food cravings! And you can't mention Korean food without mentioning kimchi. This dish of vegetables (usually cabbage) that's salted and fermented is a staple Korean condiment, often served to accompany meals or used in cooking. It has a great balance of salty, sour and spicy that makes it delicious even when eaten just with plain white rice Nowadays, you can easily find halal-certified kimchi sold in supermarkets (or just as easily purchase it online), and while it's great to add onto your meals, we wanted to share easy halal recipes using kimchi that are perfect to whip up at home for quick flavourful meals. From kimchi fried rice, kimchi jjigae or soup and kimchi pancake to more unconventional recipes like kimchi udon and kimchi grilled cheese, let's dive in!
P.S. We also have a list of easy recipes to make with gochujang, the fermented chilli paste that's another staple in Korean cooking!
1. Kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew)
We’re sure this is one dish you’d love to order when dining in Korean restaurants - it’s our favourite too! This comfort food is hot and slightly sour, perfect for cold rainy nights. However, you can also savour this delicious stew on any day because let’s face it - we all love kimchi jjigae!
Traditionally served with meat, kimchi jjigae is super flavourful. Every sip of this scrumptious stew will leave you wanting more. Give this recipe by Food25 a try and pair it with rice for the best meal combination!
P.S. We also shared this recipe on our article on easy recipes to make using gochujang!
2. Kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice)
The Asian in each of us is apparent by how much we all love our rice. Time to break free from the usual fried rice that we’re accustomed to eating, and give kimchi bokkeumbap a try. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also very delicious too!
Using only simple ingredients, this recipe is your answer to a foolproof delicious kimchi fried rice that you can never get enough of!
3. Kimchijeon (kimchi pancake)
Who says pancakes are only best eaten with honey or maple syrup? It is also good with kimchi! This savoury snack (it can serve as one of your main dishes too) is easy to whip in the kitchen, so you can make it at any time with minimal ingredients!
A great kimchijeon is complemented with a delicious dipping sauce, blending the flavours perfectly. This recipe by the kitchn shows you how to do both with ingredients you can easily find in your kitchen. For those that prefer watching how it's made, check out this recipe by Easy Pease Pan on Youtube.
4. Kimchi udon
Similar to the kimchi fried rice, kimchi udon is the perfect alternative for noodle lovers. The stir-fried kimchi udon is packed with flavours - spicy, savoury, nutty… you’ll love it!
Ingredients:
- Udon
- Chicken/ beef slices
- 1 cup of aged kimchi
- 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of Korean chilli paste (gochujang)
- Minced garlic
- Onions
- Spring onions
- Roasted sesame seeds
- Ground black pepper
- Egg
Directions:
- Boil the udon as per instructions on the packet. Once the noodles are done, drain the water and set the noodles aside.
- On a separate pan, heat some cooking oil. Add chicken or beef slices and cook for 2-3 minutes. Next, add onions, garlic and kimchi. Cook till the kimchi is tender. Then, add gochujang and sesame oil and stir well.
- Add the cooked udon into the pan and mix well with the rest of the ingredients. Remember to season with ground black pepper to taste.
- Place the stir-fried noodles on a plate and set aside.
- On the pan, crack an egg and fry it. Once done, set it on top of the noodles and serve. You can garnish with spring onions and roasted sesame seeds for the extra crunch.
P.S. For a slightly different take on kimchi udon, try this version by Bon Appetite that uses some chicken stock and butter!
5. Korean steak and kimchi cauliflower rice bowl
If you’re a fan of rice bowls, this recipe by EatingWell is perfect for you. It is a healthy combination of protein and fibre with low carb so eat away (without feeling guilty).
Look at the beautiful colours of the dish ? Feel free to incorporate this dish to your daily meals!
#HHWT Tip: If you do not have cauliflower in your fridge, you can always substitute it with brown rice as a healthy alternative!
6. Grilled cheese with kimchi sandwich
For busy work-from-home days, it might not be convenient for you to spend too much time in the kitchen to prepare lunch. It doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself though, because you can always make simple sandwiches that are both delicious and filling!
Instead of the usual sandwiches, why not give the grilled cheese with kimchi sandwich a try? This recipe by Serious Eats is easy and time-saving, so you can have your delicious lunch quickly in the middle of a busy day, or check out this video from Half Baked Harvest on Youtube!
Are you salivating yet? We definitely are but thankfully, these recipes are easy even for novices so we’re heading to the kitchen now to try them out!