This vegan kimchi fried rice is a tangy, slightly spicy, comforting dish that’s super easy to make. It’s made with only 8 main ingredients and perfect for a lazy weeknight dinner or after a night out.
Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice
It’s unclear who invented kimchi fried rice but it originated in South Korea and is now popular all over the world. I first tried kimchi fried rice in college and instantly fell in love. However, I do have to admit I have a slight obsession with kimchi. If you don’t know what kimchi is, it’s fermented napa cabbage (carrots and daikon radish as well) flavored with spices, garlic, ginger, and gochugaru chili. It’s basically the Korean version of Sauerkraut.
In this recipe the kimchi is cooked down a little bit which helps soften the flavor and reduces the crisp factor. I personally love the texture of kimchi so I add more pieces at the end after the rice is cooked. It’s so easy to make and can be ready in under 15 minutes if your have day-old rice ready to use. This is one of my favorite comfort dishes that I made at least once a week so I hope you love it!
Tips and Substitutes:
Rice: It’s best to use day-old rice for better texture. I also recommend using brown rice for extra fiber and to avoid it getting mushy. I personally use frozen brown rice a lot if I don’t have day-old rice and it’s perfect for this recipe.
Kimchi: I love making my own but I don’t always have it ready so the next best one is this kimchi I found at Target. Choose your favorite kimchi just make sure it’s vegan! Kimchi juice is optional but adds extra flavor.
Garlic and Ginger: I highly recommend not leaving these out. Use fresh for best results but you can also use the ones that come prepped in a jar 🙂
Soy Sauce: Use Tamari if gluten-free and low sodium if you’re watching your blood pressure.
Make Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice a Balanced Meal
Add extra protein by adding tofu, seitan, or vegan egg. I personally love adding my crispy “breaded” tofu to keep a rich kimchi flavor.
Add extra veggies like carrots, daikon radish, broccoli or veggies of choice.
Other Easy Weeknight Recipes:
Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
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Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Kimchi fried rice is a tangy, slightly spicy, comforting dish that’s super easy to make. It’s made with only 8 main ingredients and perfect for a lazy weeknight dinner or after a night out.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 3/4 cup kimchi, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (tamari if gf)
- 1 tablespoon kimchi juice (from jar)
- 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Toppings:
- Black sesame seeds
- Nori strips
- Green onion
Instructions
- Turn a large pan on medium heat and add neutral oil. Once hot, add chopped onions and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger, cook for 30 seconds.
- Add kimchi and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the cooked rice, soy sauce, kimchi juice, and toasted sesame oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes, stirring every minute or so. If you’d like it slightly crispy at the bottom, cook on high for an extra minute or two without stirring.
- Serve immediately and add toppings as desired.
Notes
*add fresh kimchi on top for extra that crunch and more flavor
*refrigerate for up to 5 days
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Rice
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
