Easy Korean Egg Rice – Quick & Comforting Meal

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There’s something oddly comforting about the quiet crack of an egg hitting a hot pan when the house is still waking up. I made this Easy Korean Egg Rice one rainy Tuesday morning with just one eye open and a spoon in hand and somehow, that 10-minute bowl felt like a warm hug that carried me through the day.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Korean Egg Rice

This dish hits every comfort note warm rice, buttery richness, and a runny egg yolk that turns everything creamy once stirred. It takes just 10 minutes to make, uses ingredients most of us already have, and feels like the kind of breakfast that’s good for the soul.

It’s also incredibly flexible. You can keep it simple or build it up with toppings like kimchi, seaweed, or even avocado. Whether you’re cooking for yourself after a long night or whipping up something warm before work, this recipe fits in perfectly.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make one satisfying serving of Gyeran Bap, here’s what you’ll need:

  • 1½ cups hot cooked rice (short grain or jasmine)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce (regular; adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp chopped green onion
  • ½ tsp neutral oil (for frying the egg)

If you’re starting with cold rice, microwave it for 2–3 minutes to bring it back to life. The warmth helps the butter melt evenly into the grains.

Optional Add-Ins & Toppings

Want to level it up? Try any of these:

  • Kimchi for a spicy, fermented kick
  • Roasted seaweed flakes or crushed gim
  • Avocado slices for creaminess
  • Canned tuna, cooked tofu, or leftover chicken
  • Sautéed zucchini, spinach, or carrots

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Rice

In a big bowl, combine the hot rice and butter. Mix well until the butter melts into the rice, coating every grain. This step adds a deep, savory base that makes everything richer.

2. Fry the Egg

Heat a small nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the neutral oil. Crack in your egg and fry it sunny side up. If you want set whites with runny yolk, spoon some of the hot oil over the whites. It helps them cook faster without flipping the egg.

3. Assemble the Bowl

Place your buttered rice in a wide bowl. Gently slide the fried egg on top.

4. Add the Flavor

Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle over the sesame seeds and green onion. Adjust the seasoning to your liking.

5. Mix and Enjoy

Break the yolk and stir everything together. The warm rice helps blend the egg into a creamy, savory mix. Eat it right away while it’s still hot and comforting.

How to Fry the Perfect Egg

For a classic sunny side up, keep the heat at medium and don’t flip. If you like crispy edges, wait until the bottom browns slightly. Prefer a jammy yolk? Cook it a bit longer or cover the pan briefly to help set the top.

Pro Tips for the Best Gyeran Bap

  • Use freshly cooked rice for better texture. Short grain works best.
  • Hot rice melts butter quickly, giving every bite that savory depth.
  • A runny yolk mixes beautifully into the rice.
  • Use a large bowl so you have space to stir without making a mess.
  • Mix before serving to enjoy the full creamy-salty balance.

Storage & Reheating Info

You can make this ahead and store it for a few days, but it’s definitely best fresh.

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
  • Reheat: Microwave for 2–3 minutes or heat in a pan.
  • Freezing: Not recommended the rice hardens and loses its soft texture.

What to Serve with Gyeran Bap

Pair this dish with easy Korean side dishes for a complete meal:

More Such Recipes

If you love fast and cozy breakfasts, don’t miss this air fryer egg and cheese toast breakfast idea also quick, warm, and deeply satisfying.

Easy Korean Egg Rice (Gyeran Bap) Recipe Card

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Easy Korean Egg Rice in a white bowl with fried egg and toppings

Easy Korean Egg Rice – Quick & Comforting Meal


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  • Author: kai
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Easy Korean Egg Rice (Gyeran Bap) is a fast, comforting dish made with buttery rice, a fried egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil. It comes together in just 10 minutes and is endlessly customizable with toppings like kimchi, avocado, or tuna.


Ingredients

1½ cups cooked short grain or jasmine rice

1 egg

1 tbsp unsalted butter

½ tsp toasted sesame oil

1 tbsp regular soy sauce (adjust to taste)

1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

1 tbsp finely chopped green onion

½ tsp vegetable or neutral oil (for frying egg)

Optional: kimchi, tuna, roasted seaweed, avocado, sautéed veggies


Instructions

1. Mix hot cooked rice with butter until melted and combined. (Microwave cold rice for 2–3 minutes first.)

2. Transfer buttered rice to a wide serving bowl.

3. Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry the egg sunny side up.

4. Place the fried egg on top of the buttered rice.

5. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.

6. Break the yolk, mix everything together well, and enjoy hot.

Notes

Use freshly cooked rice for best texture.

Butter melts evenly into hot rice, not cold.

A runny yolk adds creamy richness to each bite.

Use a large bowl for easy mixing.

Add toppings like kimchi, avocado, or protein for extra flavor.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 562
  • Sugar: 0.3g
  • Sodium: 65mg
  • Fat: 19g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 83g
  • Fiber: 0.4g
  • Protein: 13g
  • Cholesterol: 194mg

FAQ About Korean Egg Rice

How to make Korean egg fried rice?

It’s a bit different! Korean egg fried rice typically involves scrambling eggs and stir-frying rice with soy sauce, veggies, and sometimes kimchi. Gyeran Bap is simpler and doesn’t require stir-frying.

Can I just crack an egg into rice?

Technically yes, but it’s best to fry the egg first. A cooked egg with a runny yolk blends better with hot rice. Raw egg works in dishes like Japanese tamago kake gohan, but not in this version.

What is a Korean rice dish with an egg on top?

That’s exactly what Gyeran Bap is Korean egg rice. “Gyeran” means egg, and “bap” means rice.

How to cook Korean rice easily?

Rinse short grain rice until water runs clear. Soak it for 20–30 minutes, then simmer covered for 12–14 minutes. Let it rest off the heat for another 10 before fluffing.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the simplest meals surprise you the most. This Easy Korean Egg Rice isn’t fancy, but it’s deeply satisfying. It welcomes your tweaks add kimchi, throw on some tuna, or keep it plain and buttery.

Try it once, and you might find yourself coming back to it often. I’d love to hear how you make it your own share your version in the comments or tag me on Pinterest or Facebook.

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