A good way to use up leftover kimchi and steamed rice is in this fried rice dish. The kimchi adds crunch and spice; include some sautéed shrimp and you’ve got a complete dinner in just one pan.

What to buy: Try your hand at homemade kimchi with CHOW’s recipe, or you can purchase kimchi at many grocery stores.

Korean chile paste or kochujang is found in jars or small plastic tubs in Korean markets or online. Store it in the refrigerator and add spoonfuls to soups, marinades, and salad dressings for a spicy kick.

Game plan: You’ll need to make the steamed white or brown rice before you begin.

  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Total: About 25 mins

Ingredients (14)

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 ounces medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups Napa Cabbage Kimchi, drained and coarsely chopped (see What to Buy note)
  • 1 teaspoon Korean chile paste
  • 4 cups steamed white rice or brown rice, chilled
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 medium scallions, minced (white and light green parts only)
  • 1 medium lime, cut into 6 wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick frying pan or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Meanwhile, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Add the shrimp to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink and just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate; set aside.
  2. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Add the kimchi and chile paste and stir-fry until fragrant and heated through, about 1 minute. Add the rice, fish sauce, and soy sauce and season with salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Push the rice mixture to one side of the pan, add the eggs, and cook, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until almost set, about 2 minutes. Season the eggs with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from heat, fold the eggs into the rice mixture, add the reserved shrimp, measured lime juice, and sesame oil, and stir to combine. Taste and season with more salt and lime juice as needed. Sprinkle with the scallions and serve immediately with the lime wedges.