Bibimbap
Warm rice crowned with seasoned vegetables, beef and a runny egg, mixed at the table with gochujang until every grain is coated.
Origin & history
Bibimbap means 'mixed rice'. Jeonju, in North Jeolla province, is widely regarded as its home, and the city's version is served with a raw egg yolk and a wide array of namul. The dish reflects Korean banchan culture: many small seasoned preparations assembled into one bowl, historically eaten on the first day of the lunar month or at harvest.
Ingredients
Quantities recalculate automatically.
Rice
Beef
Vegetables
To serve
The method
Step by step
- 01
Cook the rice
25 minRinse the rice until clear, then cook with a 1:1.1 water ratio and rest covered for 10 minutes.
- 02
Marinate the beef
15 minToss the beef with soy sauce, half the sesame oil, a grated garlic clove and a pinch of sugar. Rest 15 minutes.
- 03
Season each vegetable
20 minBlanch the spinach and dress with sesame oil and salt. Julienne and stir-fry the carrot, courgette and mushrooms separately with a little salt. Blanch the sprouts and season with garlic and sesame.
Cooking each vegetable separately keeps their colours and textures distinct.
- 04
Sear the beef
3 minStir-fry the beef over high heat for 2–3 minutes until just cooked.
- 05
Fry the eggs
4 minFry the eggs sunny side up, keeping the yolk soft.
- 06
Assemble and mix
3 minSpoon rice into bowls, arrange the toppings in sections, add the egg, a spoon of gochujang and sesame seeds. Mix thoroughly at the table.
Chef tips
- — Prepare the toppings ahead; assembly takes minutes.
- — A hot stone bowl (dolsot) gives a crisp rice crust.
Common mistakes
- — Overcooking the vegetables, which makes them waterlogged.
- — Mixing before serving — the presentation is part of the dish.
Substitutions
- Beef → Extra mushrooms or marinated tofuFirm tofu, pressed and pan-fried.
- Gochujang → Miso + chilli pasteLess sweet, add a pinch of sugar.
Storage & serving
Store toppings and rice separately for up to 2 days. Reheat rice until steaming.
Serve with a light soup such as miyeok-guk and kimchi on the side.
Food safety
Cook beef and eggs to your preference but ensure beef is seared, not raw, for vulnerable diners.
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