Bibimbap is a vibrant Korean dish that means “mixed rice.” It’s a colorful bowl of warm rice topped with an array of seasoned vegetables, protein (often beef), a fried egg, and a dollop of spicy gochujang sauce. Known for its balance of flavors and textures—crisp, tender, savory, and spicy—bibimbap is both nutritious and visually stunning. This recipe guides you through making authentic bibimbap at home, step by step, with tips to achieve that restaurant-quality taste.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Rice:
- 2 cups short-grain white rice (sushi rice works well)
- 2 ½ cups water
For the Bulgogi (Marinated Beef):
- ½ lb (225g) beef sirloin or ribeye, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Vegetables:
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 medium zucchini, julienned
- 4 oz (100g) spinach, washed
- 4 oz (100g) shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 4 oz (100g) soybean sprouts
- 1 cup fernbrake (gosari), soaked and drained (optional)
- 2 tbsp sesame oil (divided)
- 2 tsp soy sauce (divided)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (divided)
- Salt to taste
For the Toppings:
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying eggs)
- 4 tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (for gochujang sauce)
- 1 tsp rice vinegar (for gochujang sauce)
- 1 tsp sugar (for gochujang sauce)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Sliced green onions (for garnish)
Equipment Needed
- Medium pot or rice cooker
- Large skillet or wok
- Small mixing bowls
- Tongs or chopsticks
- 4 dolsot bowls (optional, for crispy rice) or regular bowls
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Rice
Start with the foundation of bibimbap: perfectly cooked rice. Rinse 2 cups of short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear, about 3–4 rinses. This removes excess starch for fluffy rice. Add the rice and 2 ½ cups water to a pot or rice cooker. Cook until tender, about 15 minutes in a pot or per your rice cooker’s instructions. Keep warm.
Pro Tip: Short-grain rice gives that authentic sticky texture, but medium-grain rice can work in a pinch.
Step 2: Marinate the Beef
While the rice cooks, prepare the bulgogi. In a bowl, combine 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp minced ginger, 1 tsp sesame seeds, and ½ tsp black pepper. Add the thinly sliced beef, mix well, and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature (or up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor).
Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
Bibimbap’s charm lies in its variety of namul (seasoned vegetables). Each vegetable is cooked and seasoned separately for distinct flavors.
- Carrots: Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add julienned carrots, a pinch of salt, and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove and set aside.
- Zucchini: In the same skillet, add another 1 tsp sesame oil. Add julienned zucchini, ½ tsp soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until slightly softened. Remove and set aside.
- Spinach: Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds, then plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Squeeze out excess water, chop roughly, and toss with ½ tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp soy sauce, and ¼ tsp minced garlic. Set aside.
- Shiitake Mushrooms: Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in the skillet. Add sliced mushrooms, ½ tsp soy sauce, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until tender. Remove and set aside.
- Soybean Sprouts: Blanch sprouts in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain. Toss with ½ tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp soy sauce, and ¼ tsp minced garlic. Set aside.
- Fernbrake (Optional): If using, boil soaked fernbrake for 10 minutes, drain, and sauté with 1 tsp sesame oil, ½ tsp soy sauce, and a pinch of garlic for 3 minutes. Set aside.
Pro Tip: Arrange vegetables on a large plate in separate piles for easy assembly later.
Step 4: Cook the Bulgogi
In the same skillet, add 1 tsp sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for 3–5 minutes until fully cooked and slightly caramelized. Remove and set aside.
Step 5: Fry the Eggs
Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Crack 4 eggs and fry them sunny-side up, about 2–3 minutes, until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny. A runny yolk is key for mixing into the bibimbap.
Step 6: Make the Gochujang Sauce
In a small bowl, mix 4 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp sugar. Add 1–2 tsp water to thin the sauce to a drizzleable consistency. Adjust spice level to taste.
Step 7: Assemble the Bibimbap
If using dolsot bowls, heat them on the stove over medium heat with a drizzle of sesame oil for 5 minutes to create a crispy rice crust. Otherwise, use regular bowls.
- Divide the warm rice among 4 bowls.
- Arrange small portions of each vegetable (carrots, zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, sprouts, fernbrake) in a circle around the rice, leaving space in the center.
- Place a portion of bulgogi in the center of each bowl.
- Top each bowl with a fried egg.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over everything.
- Serve with a spoonful of gochujang sauce on the side or drizzled on top.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Bibimbap is best enjoyed by mixing everything together. Encourage diners to stir the egg yolk, gochujang sauce, and toppings into the rice and vegetables for a harmonious bite. Serve hot, with extra gochujang sauce for those who love spice.
Serving Tip: For an authentic experience, use chopsticks and a spoon, as bibimbap is traditionally eaten with both.
Tips for Perfect Bibimbap
- Customize Your Protein: Swap beef for tofu, chicken, or pork, or go vegetarian by omitting meat.
- Prep Ahead: Cook vegetables and beef a day in advance and store separately in the fridge. Reheat before assembling.
- Control the Heat: Adjust gochujang quantity to suit your spice tolerance.
- Dolsot Bonus: If using dolsot bowls, the sizzling rice crust (nurungji) adds a delightful crunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This bibimbap recipe brings the heart of Korean cuisine to your kitchen. The process may seem involved, but each step is simple, and the result is a wholesome, flavorful meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Whether you’re a Korean food newbie or a seasoned fan, this dish is sure to impress family and friends. So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and create your own bibimbap masterpiece!
