Easy Gyeran Bap (Korean Egg Rice with Butter) (2024)

Experience the nostalgia of my Korean American childhood with Gyeran Bap. Also known as Korean Egg Rice, it’s a simple breakfast or easy pantry meal made with rice and fried eggs. A small pat of butter adds richness. A drizzle of soy sauce and sesame oil adds so much flavor. Tasty, satisfying, and SO easy to put on the table!

Gyeran Bap (Korean Egg Rice with Butter)

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 white 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.’ After a busy day, it’s one of my go-to easy meals. Make in 10 minutes and enjoy with a package of roasted seaweed snack and kimchi on the side.

Universally adored by kids and adults alike, Korean Egg Rice is a pantry staple and favorite easy meals in Korean homes. An easy breakfast, a quick snack between meals, or even a 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.

Instructions:

This Korean breakfast or easy snack/meal recipe is more about assembly. In a bowl:

1. Cook eggs. In a non-stick skillet, add a little cooking oil. Carefully crack open two eggs and gently cook over medium heat until the yolks are runny with nearly-set whites. *Be careful not to overcook the eggs; they should be runny.
2. Assemble. Add freshly cooked, steaming hot rice into a bowl. Add a pat of butter. Add the fried eggs. Add a drizzle of sesame oil and soy sauce. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
3. Enjoy. Break the egg yolks, mix, and enjoy!

Watch how to make it:

PRO Tips:

• Serve with warm rice. Freshly cooked white rice from the rice cooker tastes best. But reheated leftover rice also works. 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 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.

Serve with:

Think of Korean Egg Rice as a base. Serve with different sauces and sides, depending on what’s in your fridge and pantry. Change it up often – that’s what I do!

Some suggestions:

• 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.
• Kimchi. Adds a spicy, fermented kick of flavor. Eat on the side or directly mixed in!
• 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.
• 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!

Tags

comfort food Eggs Gluten Free healthy Rice Vegetarian