Garlic Sesame Kimchi Stir Fry

Garlic Sesame Kimchi Stir Fry is a simple, quick and easy to make Korean side dish that can transform your aged pungent Kimchi into a nutty aromatic relish.

Do you have a jar of old Kimchi in your fridge that starts to smell stronger than you can bear and you don’t know what to do with it? Then you should try this super quick (less than 10 mins!) and easy Garlic Sesame Kimchi Stir Fry.

I like fresh Kimchi most of the time. But when the Kimchi turns about 2 weeks old it starts to develop a sour taste and stronger smell. Then I start eating less and less of this Kimchi unless I can disguise it into some other form.

This Garlic Sesame Kimchi Stir Fry is one solution. I simply pan-fry the Kimchi until the sesame seeds and sesame oil lightly coats over it. It’s soft, nutty, simple and versatile.

Typically, you serve it with steamed rice as a side dish but you can also serve it over rice as a main meal (aka “Kimchi rice bowl” = 김치덮밥, Kimchi Deopbap). You can also use it as a relish on your hot dog, burger or wraps etc, you just name it!

I hope you enjoy my recipe!

P.S. Other recipes with Kimchi you might like – Korean Kimchi pancakes, Tofu Kimchi, Slow cooker Kimchi stew with beef, Kimchi stew and Kimchi mandu (Kimchi dumplings)

Ingredients for Stir Fried Garlic Sesame Kimchi, 2-3 serves (as a side dish)

• 1 cup chopped aged Kimchi, thumbnail size
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion, mostly white parts
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil (I used rice bran oil)

*1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 cup = 250 ml

** If you want to learn more about Korean ingredients, check my 30 essential Korean cooking ingredients list!

How to Make Kimchi Stir Fry

1. Preheat a skillet on the stove for 30 seconds. Add the cooking oil and spread well.

2. Add the garlic and green onion and stir them on high heat for 10 seconds.

3. Add Kimchi and the sugar and stir them occasionally. Cook them for 3 to 5 mins (until the Kimchi softens) on medium heat.

4. Add the sesame oil and sesame seeds then stir evenly. Turn the heat off in 30 seconds.

5. Serve it on a plate and enjoy!

Note

• Garlic Sesame Kimchi Stir Fry can be served hot or cold. It can be stored in an air-tight container in a fridge for up to 2-3 days.
• Aged Kimchi works best for this recipe compared to fresh Kimchi. The kimchi I used in this recipe is 5-6 weeks old. Meaning it has a fairly sour and pungent taste and smell. If your Kimchi is freshly made and  you can’t wait to try this recipe, add 1/2 tsp or 1 tsp of vinegar to your Kimchi.
• Sugar is used to dilute the sourness. If you naturally enjoy aged Kimchi’s sourness, you can omit the sugar.

(This is a guideline only)

5 from 1 vote

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Garlic Sesame Kimchi Stir Fry

Prep Time

3 mins

Cook Time

6 mins

Total Time

9 mins

 

Easy kimchi stir fry recipe

Course: Side dishes

Cuisine: Korean

Servings: 2 to 3

Calories: 120 kcal

Author: My Korean Kitchen

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped aged Kimchi thumbnail size
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion mostly white parts
• 1/2 tsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil , I used rice bran oil

Instructions

1. Preheat a skillet on the stove for 30 seconds. Add the cooking oil and spread well.
2. Add the garlic and green onion and stir them on high heat for 10 seconds.
3. Add Kimchi and the sugar and stir them occasionally. Cook them for 3 to 5 mins (until the Kimchi softens) on medium heat.
4. Add the sesame oil and sesame seeds then stir evenly. Turn the heat off in 30 seconds.
5. Serve it on a plate and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

*1 Tbsp = 15 ml, 1 cup = 250 ml