One pan, nutritious Korean Bulgogi Bowls (bibimbap) consist of thin strips of marinated pork, chicken, beef or tofu served over kimchi fried rice with leafy greens and a fried egg on top. This dish is packed with flavor and absolutely delicious!
Don’t miss my other one-bowl dinners including buddha bowls, coconut curry chicken and veggie bowls and chicken shawarma bowls.
A Bulgogi bowl is a kind of bibimbap (Pronounced bee-buhm-baap) which literally means “mixed stuff on rice.” They were invented hundreds of years ago by Korean farmers who wanted a quick, practical, week-night dinner. We love this one bowl dinner for the exact same reasons.
What we LOVE about Bulgogi Bowls:
- Healthy: you’ve got your protein, veg, and healthy starch all in one bowl.
- Customizable: Bulgogi bowls are extensively customizable. Every region has its own variety with different seasonings and ingredients. For instance, “namul” ie. aromatic grasses and leaves, are often used instead of the leafy greens this recipe calls for. You can experiment with your own “namul” of watercress, basil, arugula, alfalfa or mung bean sprouts! The traditional way to have them also calls for white rice with the kimchi on the side. I love them with kimchi fried rice or regular fried rice, but that’s your call!
- Minimal clean up!
How to Make Bulgogi Bowls:
1. Prepare the bulgogi. Slice the meat into very thin pieces, marinate, and cook in hot skillet.
2. Saute sliced bell peppers over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile…
3. Fry the eggs, sunny-side up, in a hot greased pan also for several minutes.
4. Scoop Kimchi Fried Rice into shallows bowls — one large spoonful in each.
5. Assemble rest of bowl: Top rice with chopped leafy greens, then bulgogi pork, peppers, and a fried egg.
6. Serve immediately. Traditionally, ingredients are stirred together thoroughly before eating.
Variations:
- For variety add julienned cucumber, radishes, mushrooms or beets.
- To go vegetarian or vegan, substitute plain or sautéed tofu. It will marinate beautifully and can be fried up just like bulgogi! Get the firm variety, drain and squeeze out extra moisture with paper towel and slice into ½” x 1½” x 1½” squares prior to marinating)
- For beautiful presentation, use vegetables of complimentary colors and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bibimbap, properly presented, symbolizes the harmony and balance in Korean culture.
- For added heat, sprinkle with sriracha sauce.
Make Ahead Instructions:
The meat and marinade can be made the night before or longer if frozen. White rice for the kimchi fried rice can also be cooked a day or more in advance and will actually fry up even better. The lettuce and bell peppers can be chopped in advance. With the ingredients all prepped, dinner will be ready in no time!
You may also like these popular ethnic inspired recipes:
- Thai Green Curry Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
- Kung Pao Noodle Stir-Fry
- Korean Ground Beef Bowls
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Recipe
Bulgogi Bowls
Ingredients
For the Pork Bulgogi:
- 1 pound pork tenderloin
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger , or 2 tsp dry ground ginger
- 2-3 teaspoons gochujang (Korean chili paste) , or substitute Thai red chili sauce, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 2 green onions , chopped, divided
- 2 Tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola), for cooking meat
For the Bulgogi Bowls:
- 1 recipe Kimchi Fried Rice (see note below, to make this in advance)
- 2 1/2 cups mixed greens lettuce , chopped
- 1 red or yellow bell pepper sliced
- 4 eggs
- Sriracha hot sauce , for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the pork tenderloin into very thin slices and place the meat in a large ziplock bag. Set aside.
- In a bowl whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes and one chopped green onion (reserve the remaining chopped green onion for garnish on the bowls).
- Pour the marinade into the bag with the pork and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
- When ready to cook the pork, add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil to a large wok or skillet over medium high heat.
- Once hot, add half of the meat, placing it in a single layer in the pan. Allow it to brown for a few minutes, without touching it.
- Flip each piece of meat to the other side and allow to brown for another 2 minutes or so, until cooked through, but not overcooked. Remove to a plate.
- Add remaining oil to the pan. Once hot, add remaining pork and cook in the same manner. Remove to a plate.
- Add sliced bell peppers to the pan and saute for 2-3 minutes.
- At the same time, Place another skillet over medium heat and cook your eggs, sunny-side up, in a hot greased pan for several minutes.
- In shallow bowls add a large spoonful of cooked Kimchi Fried Rice. Top with chopped leafy greens, then bulgogi pork, peppers, and a fried egg.
- Add some sriracha hot sauce on top, if you like more heat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For variety add julienned cucumber, radishes, mushrooms or beets.
- To go vegetarian or vegan, substitute plain or sauteed tofu. It will marinate beautifully and can be fried up just like bulgogi! Get the firm variety, drain and squeeze out extra moisture with paper towel and slice into ½” x 1½” x 1½” squares prior to marinating)
- For beautiful presentation, use vegetables of complimentary colors and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bibimbap, properly presented, symbolizes the harmony and balance in Korean culture.
- For added heat, sprinkle with sriracha sauce or extra Gochujang.
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe June 2016. Updated July 2020 with process photos and additional instructions and tips.
Have you tried this recipe?!
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Oh my! I made this last night for me and my daughter to eat for Mother’s Day dinner. It was amazing! It’s a new favorite meal for both of us- and I’m so happy to be eating the leftovers for lunch today!
Marinade made the pork so tender and delicious.
I was short on eggs, so eliminated them.
But will definitely be making this dish again!
Everyone really liked it!
Another winning recipe from your collection!! This one is going to be a regular in our house from now on. So delicious and easy to make. My family loved it.
Thank you so much
Not only did my family love it… i also got this Group text from my neighbor. “What amazing smell is wafting through the neighborhood? We are all out here smelling something, who is cooking something amazing?! “😋😆
My kids each assembled their bowls a little differently. But they all loved it – don’t happen often with 4 kids.
Another fantastic recipe from your site. I have never had this at a restaurant but I now I feel there is no need to go out and try it. This was super simple and great. My husband who only usually eats eggs by themselves loved the added egg on top. Thank you for sharing.
My husband and I love a Korean restaurant near by and we love their bulgogi. This is my first time attempting to make a Korean dish myself – I was a little nervous. The recipe was so easy to follow and delicious! Thanks!