Korean Beef Bowl: Easy Bulgogi-Inspired Recipe (소고기 덮밥)
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.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin or 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For Serving:
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 4 green onions sliced
- 1 cucumber julienned
- 1 carrot julienned
- 1 cup kimchi
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Rice:
- Cook rice according to package directions
- Keep warm until serving time
- Fluff just before assembling bowls
Make Sauce:
- In small bowl, combine:
- Soy sauce
- Mirin
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Black pepper
- Stir until sugar dissolves
- Set aside
Cook Beef:
- Heat large skillet over medium-high heat
- Add ground beef, break into small pieces
- Cook until no longer pink (3-4 minutes)
- Add sliced onions
- Continue cooking until onions soften
- Add minced garlic and ginger
- Cook 1 minute until fragrant
- Drain excess fat if needed
Add Sauce:
- Pour sauce mixture over beef
- Stir to coat evenly
- Simmer 2-3 minutes
- Sauce should reduce slightly
- Beef should be glazed, not soupy
Assemble Bowls:
- Divide rice among 4 bowls
- Top with seasoned beef
Arrange vegetables around beef:
- Julienned cucumber
- Julienned carrot
- Sliced green onions
- Kimchi
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds
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
My Essential Korean Pantry contains several of these ingredients, specifically:
– Sempio Soy Sauce
– Kadoya Sesame Oil
– Kikkoman Aji Mirin
– Shirakiku Roasted Sesame Seeds
