Korean Dolsot Bibimbap is a tasty and healthy meal that’s easy to make. This dish is made with rice, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful sauce, all served in a hot stone bowl that keeps everything warm. It’s also a simple recipe that combines a variety of textures and tastes, making it a satisfying and nutritious choice for any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner or a delicious lunch, this Bibimbap recipe is sure to please!
The History of Dolsot Bibimbap
Dolsot Bibimbap is a traditional Korean dish with a long history. “Bibimbap” means “mixed rice” in Korean, and it’s believed to have started as a way to use leftover rice and vegetables. The dish became popular in Korea because it’s both delicious and healthy, offering a mix of rice, vegetables, and sometimes meat, all topped with a spicy sauce.
The “dolsot” part means “hot stone bowl,” which gives the dish its unique feature of keeping the food warm and creating a crispy rice layer at the bottom. Over time, Dolsot Bibimbap has become a popular and well-loved meal in Korea and around the world, known for its healthy ingredients and satisfying flavors.
A Warm and Customizable Meal
This Dolsot Bibimbap is warm and comforting, especially great for cold winter days. Unlike regular Bibimbap, which is light and perfect for warm weather, Dolsot Bibimbap gives you that cozy feeling. My favorite part is the crispy rice at the bottom of the bowl. As it heats up in the stone bowl, it gets nice and crunchy, adding extra texture to the dish.
For the spicy red pepper paste sauce, I like to make a batch ahead of time so it’s ready when I need it. It’s quick to prepare and adds the perfect amount of heat and flavor. Once you’ve put the rice and veggies in the bowl, just drizzle the sauce on top and finish it with a little sesame oil for extra flavor.
What makes this Korean Dolsot Bibimbap recipe so great is that you can add anything you like—more veggies, a protein like tofu or tempeh, or even a fried egg. It’s easy to customize, making it a great choice for busy days when you want a quick, healthy meal. This dish is a tasty and filling twist on the traditional Korean rice salad, perfect for any time you need a satisfying, well-balanced meal!
Healthy Dolsot Bibimbap Recipe
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 3 – 4 cups mixed vegetables (like spinach, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms)
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1/2 zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
- Fried egg (optional)
For the Spicy Red Pepper Paste Sauce:
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean red bean paste)
- 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional)
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
Instructions:
Prepare the Rice: Cook your rice and set it aside. If you have a stone bowl (dolsot), place it on low heat to warm up while you prepare the rest of the ingredients for your Korean Bibimbap.
Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey (or sugar), rice vinegar, and minced garlic. Stir until everything is well blended. Set aside.
Cook the Vegetables: Lightly sauté the vegetables in a little oil until they are tender. You can choose any vegetables you like, but spinach, carrots, and zucchini are common in Bibimbap.
Assemble the Bibimbap: If you’re using a hot stone bowl, place the cooked rice at the bottom. Drizzle a little sesame oil over the rice to help it crisp up. Then, arrange the cooked vegetables and fried egg on top of the rice.
Serve and Mix: Add a spoonful of the spicy sauce on top of the vegetables and egg. When you’re ready to eat, mix everything together in the bowl. The crispy rice at the bottom is one of the best parts! If you want to add an egg, fry it sunny-side-up in a little oil. This step is optional, but it adds a nice richness to the dish.
Serve and enjoy: Mix everything together and enjoy your quick, customizable Korean dolsot bibimbap!
Easy Tips for Making Dolsot Bibimbap
This Korean Dolsot Bibimbap dish pairs perfectly with a light soup, like my seaweed soup. If you like, you can also add some toasted seaweed by crushing it and sprinkling it on top right before mixing. This Bibimbap recipe is quick to make, and you can add any vegetables or toppings you like. It’s a fast, healthy, and tasty meal!
To make it even easier, you can prepare everything ahead of time. You can cook the stir-fried vegetables in advance or use leftovers for your next meal. Keep any leftovers in the fridge and just microwave it for a few minutes before adding it to your healthy Dolsot Bibimbap.
Be sure to try my spicy salad recipe, which pairs perfectly with steamed rice for a refreshing and spicy summer meal! Also, don’t miss my regular bibimbap recipe.
