Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (200g) short-grain rice, uncooked
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) water
  • 4 oz (115g) beef sirloin or ribeye, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (간장, ganjang)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil (참기름, chamgireum)
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic (마늘, maneul)
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1/2 cup (50g) spinach, washed
  • 1 small carrot, julienned
  • 1/2 cup (50g) bean sprouts, washed
  • 4 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in hot water until soft, then thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
  • 1/4 tsp salt, divided
  • Pinch of sugar (for spinach)
  • 1/4 tsp minced garlic (for mushrooms)
  • 2 tbsp gochujang (고추장, Korean chili paste)
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar (식초, sikcho)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Gochujang (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the rice, then cook in a rice cooker according to manufacturer’s instructions. If using a saucepan, bring rice and water to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Combine beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, sugar, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and set aside to marinate while preparing the vegetables (at least 15 minutes).
  3. Blanch spinach in boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain, rinse with cold water, and squeeze out excess water. Toss with salt and sugar.
  4. Sauté carrots in a little vegetable oil with a pinch of salt until slightly softened.
  5. Sauté bean sprouts in a little vegetable oil with a pinch of salt until slightly softened.
  6. Sauté shiitake mushrooms with garlic until softened and lightly browned.
  7. Whisk together gochujang, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar in a small bowl.
  8. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook until browned and cooked through.
  9. Fry the eggs to your liking (traditionally sunny-side up).
  10. Place a serving of rice in each bowl. Arrange the vegetables, beef, and fried egg attractively on top. Drizzle with gochujang sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
  11. Serve immediately, allowing diners to mix all the ingredients together before eating.