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Yennal dosirak (Korean shaken lunchbox)

Shaken rice lunchbox with kimchi

Old-style tin lunchbox of rice, kimchi, anchovies, sausage and egg, shaken before eating

Yennal dosirak, 'the old-days lunchbox', is a slice of nostalgia for Korean parents who carried a dented tin box to school in the 1970s and 80s and warmed it on the classroom stove. Rice goes in first, then stir-fried kimchi, sweet-salty anchovies, egg-dipped sausage slices and a fried egg on top; at lunchtime you close the lid and shake it hard so it all mixes. Restaurants now serve it for fun, and families make it at home for children. It contains egg, fish, soya and wheat (soy sauce) and sesame. Chef's tip: toast the anchovies in a dry pan first so they stay crisp under the glaze.
Total time
25 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
2
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Ingredients

Serves2

For the anchovies

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Toast 1 oz small dried anchovies (myeolchi) in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat for 2 minutes, shaking, until crisp and fragrant. Add a drizzle of ½ tbsp neutral oil, 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp rice syrup or sugar and toss for 30 seconds until glazed. Burnt anchovies taste bitter, so keep the heat low; this is the step most people rush. Scatter with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds and tip onto a plate.

    3 min
  2. Step 2: Wipe the pan, add another drizzle of ½ tbsp neutral oil and stir-fry 2 ⅞ oz mild cabbage kimchi for 2 minutes until softened. Set aside.

    2 min
  3. Step 3: Dip the 3 ½ oz frankfurter or Korean-style sausage slices in 1 beaten egg from 1 eggs and fry in a little more oil for 1 minute a side, until the egg is set and golden and the sausage is piping hot.

    3 min
  4. Step 4: Fry the remaining 2 eggs in the last of 1 tbsp neutral oil over a medium heat until the whites are fully set and the yolks are firm for children, about 4 minutes.

    4 min
  5. Step 5: Divide 10 ½ oz cooked short-grain rice between two lunch tins or lidded boxes and drizzle with 1 tsp sesame oil. Lay the kimchi, anchovies and sausage over the rice in rows, scatter with 1 sheet seasoned laver (gim) and top each with a fried egg.

  6. Step 6: To eat, close the lid tightly and shake hard for 10 seconds, then open and eat. If packing for school, cool completely, keep in an insulated bag with an ice pack and eat within 5 hours.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
620 kcal
Protein
28 g
Carbs
66 g
Fat
26 g
Fibre
3 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does yennal dosirak (Korean shaken lunchbox) take?
About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
What can I use instead of cooked short-grain rice?
Any long-grain rice, same amount.
What can I use instead of eggs?
1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).

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