Korean Beef Bowl

Korean Beef Bowl

Korean beef bowl (소고기 덮밥)

David Kim

By David Kim

Mar 01, 2025

5.0·1 rating
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This Korean beef bowl represent the perfect weeknight adaptation of traditional bulgogi flavors, where savory-sweet ground beef is served over steaming rice with fresh vegetables. This quick version captures the essence of Korean flavors while making them accessible for busy home cooks looking for a satisfying meal.

What makes this Korean beef bowl particularly special is its perfect balance of flavors and textures. The combination of tender seasoned beef with crisp vegetables creates a satisfying contrast, while the classic Korean seasonings of soy, garlic, and ginger provide deep umami flavor in a fraction of the time needed for traditional bulgogi.

In modern home cooking, these Korean-inspired beef bowls have become increasingly popular for their convenience and bold flavors. Whether enjoyed for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner, this dish delivers the satisfaction of Korean BBQ flavors in a simple, approachable format.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in 20 minutes
  • One-pan meal prep
  • Authentic Korean flavors
  • Customizable toppings
  • Budget-friendly
  • Kid-approved

What is a Korean Beef Bowl?

A Korean beef bowl (소고기 덮밥) features ground beef seasoned with traditional Korean flavors like soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, served over rice with fresh vegetables. It's a quicker, simplified version of bulgogi beef that maintains authentic flavors while streamlining preparation.

My Essential Korean Pantry contains several of these ingredients, specifically:

Need help with what ingredients to stock? Check out My Essential Korean Pantry article. This article describes each essential ingredient with links to where you can buy them easily!

Prep 5 min
Cook 15 min
Total 20 min
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • For the Beef:

  • For Serving:

Instructions

  1. Prepare Rice:

  2. 1

    Cook rice according to package directions

  3. 2

    Keep warm until serving time

  4. 3

    Fluff just before assembling bowls

  5. Make Sauce:

  6. 1

    In small bowl, combine:

  7. 2

    Soy sauce

  8. 3

    Mirin

  9. 4

    Brown sugar

  10. 5

    Sesame oil

  11. 6

    Black pepper

  12. 7

    Stir until sugar dissolves

  13. 8

    Set aside

  14. Cook Beef:

  15. 1

    Heat large skillet over medium-high heat

  16. 2

    Add ground beef, break into small pieces

  17. 3

    Cook until no longer pink (3-4 minutes)

  18. 4

    Add sliced onions

  19. 5

    Continue cooking until onions soften

  20. 6

    Add minced garlic and ginger

  21. 7

    Cook 1 minute until fragrant

  22. 8

    Drain excess fat if needed

  23. Add Sauce:

  24. 1

    Pour sauce mixture over beef

  25. 2

    Stir to coat evenly

  26. 3

    Simmer 2-3 minutes

  27. 4

    Sauce should reduce slightly

  28. 5

    Beef should be glazed, not soupy

  29. Assemble Bowls:

  30. 1

    Divide rice among 4 bowls

  31. 2

    Top with seasoned beef

  32. Arrange vegetables around beef:

  33. 1

    Julienned cucumber

  34. 2

    Julienned carrot

  35. 3

    Sliced green onions

  36. 4

    Kimchi

  37. 5

    Sprinkle with sesame seeds

Recipe Notes

Recipe Tips

  • Use lean ground beef (90/10)
  • Don't overcook vegetables
  • Adjust sauce to taste
  • Prep vegetables while beef cooks
  • Serve immediately for best texture
  • Rice can be made ahead

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

  • Extra kimchi
  • Korean side dishes
  • Gochujang sauce
  • Fried egg on top
  • Korean pickled vegetables
  • Cold Korean soup in summer

Variations

  • Spicy version with gochujang
  • Ground turkey or chicken
  • Cauliflower rice for low-carb
  • Different vegetables
  • Add mushrooms
  • Bibimbap-style mixed bowl

Storage

  • Refrigerate components separately
  • Keeps 3-4 days refrigerated
  • Reheat beef gently
  • Add fresh vegetables when serving
  • Freezes well without toppings
  • Perfect for meal prep

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

460Calories
45gCarbs
28gProtein
18gFat
4gFiber
800mgSodium

* Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used.