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Dolsot bibimbap

돌솥비빔밥 · Bibimbap in a sizzling stone pot, with a crisp golden rice crust

Dolsot bibimbap (돌솥비빔밥) is bibimbap served in a heavy stone pot (dolsot) that is heated on the hob until the rice touching the stone turns into a crackling golden crust, called nurungji. It is eaten all over Korea and is still sizzling when it reaches the table. This vegetarian version tops the rice with seasoned spinach, bean sprouts, carrot, mushrooms and pan-fried tofu, and an egg that cooks gently in the heat of the pot. A small cast-iron pan works if you don't have stone bowls. Chef's tip: listen to the pot. A steady crackle with a toasty, nutty smell means the crust is forming; a sharp burnt smell means the heat is too high.
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
2
One step at a time, big text, timers, read-aloud. Your screen stays on.

Ingredients

Serves2

For the toppings

For the pots

For the sauce

To serve

Method

0/9 done
  1. Step 1: Mix 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chilli paste), 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp rice vinegar and 1 tbsp water until smooth. Set aside.

  2. Step 2: Blanch 3 ½ oz spinach in boiling salted water for 30 seconds, cool under cold water, squeeze dry and cut into short lengths. Toss with half the 1 cloves garlic, a third of the ⅓ tbsp soy sauce and half the 1 tsp toasted sesame oil.

    1 min
  3. Step 3: Boil 3 ½ oz soybean sprouts in the same water, covered, for 5 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and toss with ½ tsp salt and the rest of the 1 tsp toasted sesame oil.

    5 min
  4. Step 4: Heat a third of the ⅝ tbsp neutral oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat and stir-fry 1 carrot for 2 minutes. Set aside. Add another third of the ⅝ tbsp neutral oil and fry 4 shiitake mushrooms with the rest of the garlic for 3 minutes until soft, then add another third of the ⅓ tbsp soy sauce and set aside.

    5 min
  5. Step 5: Add the last of the ¾ tbsp neutral oil and fry 5 ½ oz firm tofu over a medium-high heat for 3 minutes a side until golden. Sprinkle over the rest of the ⅜ tbsp soy sauce and let it bubble away, turning the slices once.

    7 min
  6. Step 6: Brush the inside of two stone pots generously with 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil. Press half the 14 oz cooked short-grain rice into each in an even layer, pushing it right up the sides.

  7. Step 7: Arrange the spinach, bean sprouts, carrot, mushrooms and tofu over the rice in sections and crack one of the 2 eggs into the middle of each pot.

  8. Step 8: Put the pots on the hob over a low heat for 2 minutes, then turn up to medium and cook for 8–10 minutes, until the rice crackles loudly and smells toasty. Never put a cold stone pot straight onto high heat, as it can crack.

    12 min
  9. Step 9: Set the pots on wooden boards (they stay very hot), scatter with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and 1 spring onion, and serve with the sauce. Stir straight away so the egg cooks against the hot sides, then scrape up the crisp rice from the bottom as you eat.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
680 kcal
Protein
26 g
Carbs
88 g
Fat
25 g
Fibre
6 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does dolsot bibimbap take?
About 50 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegetarian?
Yes. It has no meat or fish.
Is it very spicy?
It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
What can I use instead of carrot?
Parsnip or sweet potato, same weight.
What can I use instead of shiitake mushrooms?
Aubergine, diced, same weight.

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