Kimchi Spam Fried Rice Recipe: Easy & Satisfying - FeedMi (2024)

This kimchi spam fried rice recipe combines the flavors of spicy and sour kimchi with the savory goodness of spam, resulting in a satisfying meal that will leave you craving more!

How to Make Kimchi Spam Fried Rice

I promise that this is one of the easiest and most satisfying meals that you will end up craving all the time! To make sure it turns out perfect, I’ve included a step-by-step guide on how to make kimchi spam fried rice with a recipe card at the end that you can print out or save for later!

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Ingredients For Kimchi Spam Fried Rice

To start, gather the following ingredients:

• Kimchi: Older, well-fermented kimchi that is sour, funky, and spicy is best.
• Spam: Classic or use your favorite Spam variety such as low-sodium or flavored options.
• Rice: Use cold leftover cooked rice for the best texture. I suggest short grain white rice.
• Aromatics: Finely minced garlic and chopped onions makes everything better.
• Gochujang: Enhance and spice up the dish with Korean red pepper paste.
• Soy Sauce: Add depth of flavor, umami, and saltiness with soy sauce.
• Butter: This makes the dish more rich and decadent tasting.
• Sesame Oil: A small drizzle of sesame oil brings a delightful aroma and nuttiness.
• Green onions: Adds color and onion flavor, without being overpowering.
• Eggs: Optional topping, it brings an extra richness to the dish.
• Roasted Seaweed: Optional topping, it adds texture and another level of umami.

Step 1: Prepare the Kimchi

It is no surprise that kimchi is an essential ingredient in kimchi spam fried rice. However, not all kimchi are the same.

The best kimchi to use for fried rice is the kimchi that is at the bottom of your kimchi jar or maybe a jar that you forgot about in the back of your fridge. Older kimchi that is well-fermented has a stronger flavor that is funky and extra sour.

The fermentation process adds complexity and depth to the kimchi, creating a robust flavor that will really shine in the fried rice.

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Step 2: Cook the Spam

Spam is a controversial ingredient, you either love it or hate it. I personally love it and think it is such a versatile ingredient that adds a savory, salty, and fatty note to the fried rice.

To achieve the best texture, start by cutting the spam into bite-sized cubes. Cook the spam in a skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown and crispy.

The crispy spam will provide a nice texture and flavor contrast to the fried rice and it is a perfect pairing with the spicy and sour kimchi.

Step 3: Make the Best Fried Rice Base

The foundation of any fried rice dish lies in the rice itself. For kimchi spam fried rice, or any fried rice, it is crucial to use cold leftover cooked rice.

This allows the grains to dry out slightly, resulting in fluffy and separate rice grains when stir-fried.

To achieve the perfect fried rice base, start by adding rice to a pan, breaking up any clumps. This step will help ensure that each grain of rice gets evenly coated in the seasonings later on.

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Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

Once all the elements are prepared, it’s time to bring them together.

Start by sautéing the onions, garlic, and kimchi until they soften. Cook it to release its vibrant flavors. This caramelizes it and brings out the aromatics and natural sweetness.

Finally, incorporate the rice, spam, and seasonings into the pan on medium heat. Toss everything together until well combined. Let the flavors meld together, ensuring each grain of rice absorbs all the delicious seasonings.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Garnish

To elevate your kimchi spam fried rice even further, add some optional toppings and garnishes.

Thinly sliced scallions and a sprinkle of roasted seaweed strips not only make it a feast for the eyes but adds a delightful crunch and textural contrast.

Another topping that pairs perfectly with kimchi spam fried rice is a yolky sunny side up egg. It adds creaminess to the dish and make it even more rich.

These finishing touches not only enhance the overall presentation but also introduce additional layers of flavor and texture.

Serving Suggestions

The hardest part about this recipe is resisting the urge to eat it all as you cook but we’ve made it to the end and your kimchi spam fried rice is now ready to be enjoyed!

Serve it as a standalone meal or as a side dish alongside grilled meats, Korean BBQ, soups, and veggies.

It can be enjoyed for brunch, lunch, dinner, or late night meal. Remember to taste test and customize the dish to your liking!

Substitutions

Besides for kimchi, If you don’t have all of these ingredients on hand or can’t use it for whatever reason, don’t let that stop you! Improvise and work with what you have.

You may need to adjust measurements to your liking but here are some suggestions:

• Protein: Obviously, it won’t be spam fried rice if you don’t use spam but some other great protein alternatives are pork belly, bacon, ham, hot dogs, rotisserie chicken, and shrimp. There are so many options, just add your favorite. Kimchi pairs well with almost everything!
• Gochujang: This has a unique flavor that doesn’t necessarily have a comparable substitution but you can use sriracha or chili flakes instead for spice.
• Rice: I think this is best with short grain white rice. However, it will still turn out great with any white rice like Jasmine rice or long grain rice.
• Soy Sauce: Fish sauce is a good substitute that will give the dish saltiness and umami. If you need a gluten-free option, I recommend using tamari or liquid aminos.

Save this Recipe for Kimchi Spam Fried Rice

This delicious dish brings together the bold flavors of kimchi and the satisfying indulgence of spam, resulting in a meal that you will be craving regularly! I hope you recreate this easy mouthwatering recipe for kimchi spam fried rice at home and treat your tastebuds to the perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory goodness!

Did you make this recipe? I would love to see! Tag me on Instagram @feedmi_ or TikTok@feedmi

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