Pyongyang Onban - North Korean Rice Bowl

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) short-grain rice 2 cups (400g) short-grain rice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 200g beef, thinly sliced 200g beef, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 1 zucchini, julienned 1 zucchini, julienned
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced 4 shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 teaspoon gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped green onions for garnish Chopped green onions for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 60g (Sugar: 6g)
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the rice thoroughly and cook it according to the package instructions.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. 3.
   Add the beef and stir-fry until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the onion, carrot, zucchini, bell pepper, and shiitake mushrooms. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
5. 5.
   Add the minced garlic and continue to stir-fry for another minute.
6. 6.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, rice vinegar, gochujang, salt, and pepper.
7. 7.
   Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the skillet and stir to coat evenly.
8. 8.
   Return the beef to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
9. 9.
   To serve, place a generous portion of cooked rice in a bowl and top it with the vegetable and beef mixture.
10. 10.
    Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — For a more tender result, marinate the beef in soy sauce and a pinch of baking soda for 15-20 minutes before stir-frying.
• Gochujang — Adjust the amount of gochujang according to your spice preference. Add more for a spicier kick or reduce it for a milder flavor.
• Rice — Use short-grain rice for an authentic texture. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch before cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• To add a smoky flavor, you can grill the beef before slicing it thinly.
• Feel free to customize the vegetable selection based on your preferences and seasonal availability.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with tofu or tempeh.
• If you prefer a saucier dish, double the sauce ingredients.
• Serve the Pyongyang Onban with a side of kimchi for an authentic North Korean experience.

Serving advice

Serve the Pyongyang Onban hot in individual bowls, allowing each person to mix the rice, vegetables, and beef together before enjoying. This dish is best served as a complete meal on its own.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, arrange the colorful vegetables and beef on top of the rice in an organized manner. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions for a pop of freshness.