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Easy Korean-Style Ground Beef Bulgogi Rice Bowl Recipe with Fried Egg

korean ground beef bulgogi rice bowl - featured image

A quick and comforting Korean-style ground beef bulgogi rice bowl topped with a perfectly fried egg, packed with sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavors. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) – optional
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 4 cups (900 g) cooked white rice (short grain or jasmine)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Optional vegetables: shredded carrots, cucumber slices, kimchi

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice: Rinse 2 cups (450 g) of rice under cold water until water runs clear. Add rice and 2 1/4 cups (530 ml) water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Prepare the bulgogi marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, toasted sesame oil, gochujang (optional), and rice vinegar. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  3. Cook the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 3 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula. Pour in the marinade and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until beef is fully cooked and sauce thickens. Add a splash of water if sauce reduces too quickly.
  4. Fry the eggs: Heat a small non-stick pan over medium heat with a little oil. Crack in eggs and cook until whites are set but yolks remain runny, about 2–3 minutes. Season lightly with salt.
  5. Assemble the bowls: Divide cooked rice into 4 bowls. Spoon bulgogi beef over rice. Top each bowl with a fried egg, sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Add optional veggies on the side.

Notes

Use a hot pan to caramelize the beef for authentic bulgogi flavor. Break up the beef finely for even cooking and coating with marinade. Don’t skip toasted sesame oil for depth of flavor. Fry eggs carefully on medium heat for runny yolks. Adjust sweetness and spice by tasting marinade before cooking. If beef seems dry, add a splash of water or broth while simmering. Fluffy rice is key to the dish.

Nutrition

Keywords: Korean, bulgogi, ground beef, rice bowl, fried egg, quick dinner, weeknight meal, easy recipe, Korean flavors