10-Minute Kimchi Beef Bowl (Kimchi Gyu-don)

A savory 10-minute Japanese-style beef bowl featuring tender brisket stir-fried with tangy kimchi and fresh chives, served over a wholesome sprouted rice blend.

Ingredients

• 300 g beef brisket (karubi), thinly sliced
• 150 g kimchi
• 1 bunch fresh chives
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup white rice
• 12 cup sprouted brown rice
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• optional toasted white sesame seeds

Instructions

1. 1Prepare the rice blend

   

   Begin by preparing a mixture of sprouted brown rice and white rice. Sprouted brown rice is a great choice as it is highly nutritious and easy to digest without needing to be soaked beforehand. This blend provides a balanced texture and flavor for the base of your bowl.

   Tip: If you prefer a softer texture, you can adjust the ratio to include more white rice, but the sprouted brown rice adds a nice nutritional boost.
2. 2Mince the garlic

   

   Finely mince two cloves of fresh garlic on a wooden cutting board. Mincing the garlic into small, uniform pieces ensures it will cook evenly and release its full aromatic flavor when sautéed with the beef later.

   Tip: To mince garlic more easily, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt over it; the salt acts as an abrasive and prevents the pieces from sticking to your knife.
3. 3Chop the chives

   

   Take a bunch of fresh green chives and trim them into short, uniform sections. There is no strict amount required for this recipe, so feel free to use as many as you like to add a fresh, onion-like bite to the final dish.

   Tip: Try to keep the chive sections roughly the same length so they cook evenly later in the pan.
4. 4Season and marinate the beef

   

   Place the thinly sliced beef, ideally a tender cut like brisket or karubi, onto a plate. Season the meat generously with salt and black pepper then let it marinate for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

   Tip: Thinly slicing the beef against the grain will ensure it stays tender and cooks very quickly during the stir fry process.
5. 5Sauté the aromatics

   

   Heat a small amount of avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté it gently until it becomes fragrant and turns a light golden color, being careful not to let it burn.

   Tip: Keep the garlic moving in the pan to ensure it browns evenly and releases its full aroma without becoming bitter.
6. 6Stir-fry the beef

   

   Add the seasoned beef slices into the pan with the fragrant garlic. Stir-fry the meat over medium-high heat until the slices are mostly cooked through but still show a hint of pinkness in the center.

   Tip: Dont overcrowd the pan; if making a large portion, sear the meat in batches to get a better brown on the surface.
7. 7Add the kimchi

   

   Add a generous portion of additive-free red kimchi to the pan with the partially cooked beef. Stir-fry the mixture together, allowing the kimchi juices to coat the beef slices and infuse them with a spicy, fermented flavor.

   Tip: For a deeper flavor profile, use kimchi that has been fermenting for a longer period, as it will be more acidic and savory when cooked.
8. 8Mix in the chives

   

   Toss the fresh green chive sections into the pan with the beef and kimchi. Continue to stir-fry for about 3 minutes. The chives should be just wilted and softened but still retain their bright green color.

   Tip: Avoid overcooking the chives to prevent them from becoming too mushy; they should still provide a slight crunch to the dish.
9. 9Season the stir-fry

   

   Pour the light soy sauce and sprinkle the sugar over the beef and kimchi mixture. Stir everything quickly over medium-high heat to dissolve the sugar and ensure the sauce evenly glazes all ingredients.

   Tip: Taste the mixture before adding all the soy sauce, as the saltiness of kimchi can vary between different brands.
10. 10Plate and garnish

    

    Scoop the hot stir-fried beef and kimchi over your prepared bowl of rice. Drizzle any remaining pan juices over the top and finish by sprinkling with toasted white sesame seeds.

    Tip: Using a mixture of sprouted brown rice and white rice adds more nutrition and a pleasant chewy texture to the base of the bowl.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions