The unsung hero of the Korean table: Purple Rice! Make your meal special with easy Korean Purple Rice. As easy to cook as regular white rice. With added health benefits. And such a pretty purple color! A steaming bowl of perfectly cooked Korean rice is underrated simplicity at its best.

this recipe

What is Korean Purple Rice?

Korean Purple Rice is short-grain white rice that’s cooked with a little black rice. The addition of black rice stains everything to a gorgeous purple hue.

Many Korean restaurants serve variations of Korean Purple Rice. Sometimes you’ll see a dark, rich, deep purple color. Other times, the shade resembles a light lilac. Either way, the inclusion of black rice makes it feel like a very special treat!

The Korean word for this rice is “Heukmi Bap.” Literally translated “Black Rice,” it’s a catch-all term to describe purple-colored rice.

Koreans also use the terms Japgokbap or Boribap to describe heartier, multi-grain versions of this basic purple rice. More nutrient dense and loaded with grains, they tend to be dark purple and nutty tasting.

How do I make Korean Purple Rice at home?

The easiest way to make Korean Purple Rice is to add a little black rice to white rice and cook, as per usual. That’s it!

Another way is to use Black Rice Mix, found at the Korean grocery store. These pre-packaged grain mixes usually include black rice. Simply add to regular white rice for a heartier, multi-grain, beautifully colored purple rice. Add a little bit for a light purple rice. Or add a lot for a darker purple.

Either way, the method is simple:

1. Wash rice with cold water
2. Soak for 30 minutes
3. Cook in the rice cooker (or stovetop)

Ingredients:

• Short grain white rice. Korean rice is sticky and slightly chewy. The grains stick together and offer a pleasurable, toothsome texture. Short grain white rice is the essential base to making Korean rice. Popular and readily available short grain varieties: Calrose and Kokuho Rose. Nishiki medium-grain rice also works, although it’s technically considered medium-grain.
• Black Rice Mix. Adding black rice to white rice creates a purple color. In Korean grocery stores, they sell black rice mixes — black rice mixed with a variety of other grains. For my recipe, I recommend adding a bit of black rice mix for added nutrition and texture. However, you can also add black rice only.
• Short Grain Brown Rice. For a darker, more nutrient dense Purple Rice, add short grain brown rice.

Generally, I make Korean purple rice in 2 ways: light or dark. The color depends on the proportion of the ingredients listed above. I’ve listed both options in the recipe card below.

What kind of Black Rice Mix should I buy?

At the Korean grocery store, you will find a bewildering array of pre-packaged Black Rice Mix. There are packages with quinoa, sprouted grains, 10 grains, 5 grains, beans, etc.! Choose one with grains you enjoy eating.

Sometimes, Koreans make their own mix. That way you’re not limited to certain grains or certain proportions of grains. Store in a big jar for easy, fast scooping.

Adding a variety of grains increases the nutritional density of rice, while also keeping the texture chewy, hearty, and pleasantly nutty. Some common grains included in Korean Purple Rice:

• Black Rice. You need a little bit of black rice for that beautiful purple color!
• Brown Rice. The base of many mixed rice blends.
• Sweet Brown Rice (Glutinous Brown Rice). Different from regular brown rice, sweet brown rice grains are shorter, plumper, and slightly sweeter. When cooked, the texture is stickier and chewier than regular brown rice.
• Pressed Barley. Flat and oval-shaped, they look like oatmeal.
• Pearl Barley (Job’s Tears). Round and elongated, these add a soft, chewy texture.
• Dried Beans + Peas. So many different kinds!
• Millet. Tiny little millet grains add a nubby texture.
• Quinoa. The health benefits are plentiful.
• Mung Bean. Adds a little sweetness and extra protein.

Is Korean Purple Rice healthy?

Black Rice is full of antioxidants and nutrients. Even adding a small scoop will increase the nutritional value of white rice.

To make purple rice even healthier and nutritionally dense, add more grains!

• A common proportion is 1/2 white rice + 1/2 Black Rice mix.

In general, I make two kinds of Korean Purple Rice. A lilac-colored purple rice that’s mostly white rice (left). And a darker, more multi-grain purple rice (right) which contains more nutrients. I’ve included both in the recipe card below.

How do you measure water in the rice pot?

The standard Asian way of measuring rice to water ratio is using the finger method or the hand knuckle method.

For the hand knuckle method, place your flattened hand directly into the rice pot. While your hand sits on top of the washed rice, look at the water level. The water level should just come up to your first knuckle.

For the finger method, place your index (pointer) finger into the rice pot. Stop when your finger touches the rice and rest it gently on top. (Don’t push the finger into the rice!) The water level should reach the first line of your finger.

I don’t know why these methods work but they do. It’s eerily accurate!

But if you’d prefer, I’ve also written measurements for exact water amounts in the recipe notes below.

Serve with:

Korean purple rice tastes great with pretty much everything. Simply make purple rice instead of the usual white rice!

• For KBBQ, serve alongside Beef Bulgogi or Spicy Pork Belly Bulgogi with lettuce wraps.
• For rice bowls, make it the base of Hwe Dup Bap or Salmon Poke.
• For soups and stews, try with Soondubu Jjigae or Doenjang Jjigae!
• Or serve alongside other banchan (side dishes), like Dubu Jorim or Soy Sauce Quail Eggs.

If you love rice, make this your standard rice recipe instead!