The secret to this at-home bibimbap is using a Dutch oven to build a deeply golden, crispy rice crust. It's packed with seasoned spinach, earthy shiitake mushrooms, and tender carrots, all layered over short-grain rice. A spicy gochujang sauce and soft-cooked eggs tie the whole bowl together. You'll get the classic textures of a restaurant-style Korean rice bowl right from your own stovetop.
Prep
30 min
Cook
30 min
Total
1 hr 0 min
Servings
6
Course
Category Veggie Pasta
Ingredients
1 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons salt
1 cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeded, and sliced thin on bias
1 (10-ounce) bag curly-leaf spinach, stemmed and chopped coarse
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
4 large eggs
2. For the chile sauce: Whisk gochujang, water, oil, and sugar together in small bowl. Cover and set aside.
4. For the vegetables: While rice cooks, stir together water, scallions, soy sauce, garlic, and sugar. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add carrots and stir until coated. Add ⅓ cup scallion mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until carrots are slightly softened and moisture has evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer carrots to small bowl.
Instructions
1Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and toss to coat.
2Pour in 1/3 cup of the scallion mixture. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until the mushrooms soften and the liquid evaporates. Transfer the mushrooms to a small bowl using a slotted spoon.
3Heat another 1 teaspoon of oil in the empty pot until shimmering. Add the spinach and the remaining scallion mixture, tossing to combine.
4Cook the spinach for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it wilts completely but stays bright green. Transfer to a separate bowl using a slotted spoon, then discard any leftover liquid and wipe the pot clean with a paper towel.
5Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and the sesame oil in the clean pot over high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the cooked rice, pressing it down gently into a flat layer.
6Let the rice cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes. Resisting the urge to stir is what builds that signature crispy crust on the bottom.
7Arrange the prepared carrots, spinach, and mushrooms in neat piles over the surface of the rice, then reduce the heat to low.
8While the crust forms, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over low heat for 5 minutes. Pour the eggs into the skillet, cover, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes depending on your preferred yolk doneness.
9Carefully slide the cooked eggs over the vegetables in the pot. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the chili sauce over the eggs.
10Gently mix the rice, vegetables, and eggs together with a wooden spoon, taking care not to break up the bottom crust. Scrape the large, crispy pieces of rice from the bottom of the pot and fold them into the mixture just before portioning into bowls. Serve with extra chili sauce and pickles on the side.
Notes
Make ahead: Prepare the pickles, chili sauce, and vegetables up to a day in advance to streamline the cooking process. Cook the rice and eggs fresh when you're ready to eat.
Equipment: Using a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven is the best way to achieve an authentic, crispy rice crust without a traditional stone bowl.
Leftovers: Store any extra pickles and chili sauce in the refrigerator. They make fantastic condiments for sandwiches, burgers, or noodles.