The only meal you’ll ever need: Gyeran Bap or Korean Egg Rice. Tasty, filling, satisfying, and SO easy to put on the table!
Last year, I posted an Instagram reel about my favorite childhood Korean meal: Gyeran Bap.
Shockingly, the reel went viral. I couldn’t believe how many people connected with this nostalgic dish that I’ve been cooking and eating my entire life!
What is Gyeran Bap?
Gyeran Bap is a popular Korean breakfast that’s frequently eaten as a quick meal or snack. As simple as they come, it’s essentially a fried egg over rice.
The magic comes when the golden, sunny-side-up egg yolks are mixed into steaming hot, buttered rice. SO delicious and comforting. A drizzle of soy sauce and fragrant sesame oil completes the meal!
Gyeran means ‘egg’ in Korean, Bap means ‘rice.’ Universally adored by kids and adults alike, Korean Egg Rice is a pantry staple in Korean homes. An easy breakfast, a quick snack between meals, or even light lunch or dinner made more substantial with side dishes (banchan).
Nothing to eat in the house? Too tired to cook? Don’t know what to make? Gyeran Bap is the answer!
Ingredients:
- Eggs. Organic, free-run eggs provide the best flavor and color.
- Rice. Freshly cooked short-grain (also known as sushi rice) or medium-grain white rice is ideal and lends to the comfort factor. The residual warmth cooks the runny egg yolks into velvety smoothness.
- Butter. A small pat adds buttery richness. A classic must!
- Soy Sauce. A drizzle adds all the umami-rich seasoning you need.
- Sesame oil. For nutty fragrance and aroma.
- Sesame seeds. For crunch.
Other Possible Toppings:
Choose one or as many as you like. Change it up often – that’s what I do!
- Gim. Also known as roasted, seasoned seaweed snack. Crumble one entire package over the egg rice. Or, eat spoonfuls of mixed rice and egg wrapped in Gim like a taco.
- Furikake. Similar to Gim, this Japanese seasoning contains seaweed flakes and adds savory, umami-rich flavor. Sprinkle all over the top, mix, and enjoy.
- Salmon roe. A spoonful of rich, plump, salty, coral-colored salmon roe tastes so delicious mixed together with hot rice and egg.
- Tobiko. Smaller than salmon roe, the nubby, salty bits are just as delicious. Tobiko is easier to find than salmon roe with a lower price point. Plus, it stores well in the freezer.
- Green Onions or Scallions. Aromatic with subtle onion flavor, they add soft crunch and freshness.
- Kimchi. Adds a spicy, fermented kick of flavor. Eat on the side or directly mixed in!
- Gochujang Sauce. Also called Cho Gochujang or Bibimbap sauce, drizzle all over for spicy-sweet flavor.
- Chili Oil or Chili Crisp. Another way to spice things up. Make homemade Chili Oil or buy a jar at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or your favorite online retailer.
- Scallion Ginger Oil. A dollop is all you need for a gingery-aromatic kick of flavor!
- Nuoc Cham. Vietnamese dipping sauce. Sharper than regular soy sauce with sweet-spicy notes.
- Avocado. Creamy, buttery avocado – YUM!
Instructions:
This Korean breakfast or easy snack/meal recipe is more about assembly. In a bowl:
- Scoop freshly cooked, steaming hot rice.
- Add a pat of butter.
- Add fried eggs.
- Season with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds.
- Break the egg yolks, mix, and enjoy!
Watch how to make it:
PRO Tips:
- Set a timer. For breakfast, set a timer on the rice cooker the night before. Gyeran Bap is best enjoyed with fresh, warm rice.
- Reheat old rice. Korean Egg Rice can be enjoyed with leftover rice, too. Be sure to reheat in the microwave until steaming hot!
- Cook eggs to your liking. Make it your own! Sunny side-up fried eggs with runny egg yolks are my recommendation; when you break the yolk with a spoon, it creates a velvety smooth “sauce” with the buttered rice. Some people add a raw egg yolk, others prefer over-easy eggs. Even scrambled eggs work, if that’s your preference.
FAQ:
How do you pronounce Gyeran Bap?
Gyeran Bap is a tricky word to say in English. A phonetic translation would be, “gyuh-rahn bahp.” But the “r” is a soft rolling r (like ribbet), not a hard r (like rain).
Also, all 3 syllables have equal weight and length. There’s a tendency to elongate some of the syllables and shorten others. But all 3 syllables are the same length.
Is Gyeran Bap healthy?
Growing up in my Korean American home, I did not view Gyeran Bap as “health food.” When Instagram health food accounts started reposting my Gyeran Bap reel, I was surprised! Gluten free, protein-rich, and low in calories — I understand why it could be viewed as an easy, healthy meal.
What kind of rice should I use?
For everyday eating, Koreans usually eat short grain (also called sushi rice) or medium grain rice varieties. Some common, easily accessible brands that can be found in North American grocery stores are: Calrose, Nishiki, or Kokuho Rose.
Jasmine rice (medium grain) also works. But long grain rice (such as Basmati or Carolina long grain) won’t be quite the same, as the rice grains are too fluffy and soft.
Other easy Korean recipes:
- Tuna Kimchi Fried Rice
- Buckwheat Soba Noodles with Perilla Oil
- Carbonara Tteokbokki
- Soybean Paste Stew (Doenjang Jjigae)
- Spicy Cold MIxed Noodles (Bibim Guksu)
Gyeran Bap (Korean Egg Rice)
Equipment
- Non-stick Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 eggs (preferably organic, free-run eggs)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 1 Tbsp butter (unsalted)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce (or to taste)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (or to taste)
Serve with:
- 1 package Gim or roasted, salted seaweed snack
- 1/2 cup kimchi
Instructions
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tsp vegetable oil. Crack two eggs into the skillet and fry to desired doneness. (I recommend sunny side up eggs.)
- Assemble Gyeran Bap: In a bowl, add warm rice. Add a pat of butter directly on top. Add eggs. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Mix the eggs and buttered rice together. Eat immediately with Gim and kimchi. Enjoy!
