Lemon Herb Salmon
25 minEasy
Beef Bulgogi Bowls
Sweet-salty marinated beef seared hot and fast, piled over rice with quick-pickled cucumber and a soft egg.
- Prep time20 min
- Cook time15 min
- Total time35 min
- Servings4
- DifficultyMedium
- Calories580 kcal
Method
Instructions
- 1
Marinate the beef
15 minWhisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and grated pear. Toss with the beef and marinate for 15 minutes (or up to overnight).
- 2
Quick-pickle the cucumber
2 minToss the cucumber with the rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. Set aside while you cook.
- 3
Sear the beef
4 minHeat a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef in a single layer and sear until caramelized at the edges, 1–2 minutes per side. Work in batches so it sears rather than stews.
Tip: The sugar in the marinade burns fast — cook over high heat and keep it moving.
- 4
Fry the eggs
3 minIn the same pan, fry the eggs sunny-side up until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 2–3 minutes.
- 5
Assemble the bowls
3 minDivide the rice between four bowls. Top with beef, cucumber, an egg, and a shower of sesame seeds.
Cook smarter
Cooking Tips
- Freeze the steak for 20 minutes before slicing — it cuts paper-thin much more easily.
- Sear in batches; overcrowding turns the caramelized beef gray and steamy.
- The grated pear is not just sweetness — its enzymes help tenderize the beef.
Make it yours
Ingredient Substitutions
No ribeye or sirloin?
- Flank steak
- Chicken thighs
Flank steak should be sliced very thin against the grain.
No asian pear?
- Apple
- 1/4 cup apple juice
No egg?
- Fried tofu
- Extra vegetables
Leftovers
Storage & Reheating
How to store
Store the beef, rice, and pickle separately in airtight containers.
How long it keeps
Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to reheat
Reheat the beef in a hot skillet for a minute or two; reheat rice in the microwave with a splash of water.
Can you freeze it?
The cooked beef freezes well for up to 2 months — skip the egg and pickle when freezing.
Build the plate
Serving Suggestions
- Quick-pickled radish
- Kimchi
- A handful of fresh spinach
Good to know
Common Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Any tender, quick-cooking cut works — flank, sirloin, or even well-trimmed ribeye. Slice it as thin as you can against the grain.
Do I need an Asian pear?
No — a regular apple or a splash of apple juice gives the same sweetness and helps tenderize the meat.
Can I skip the egg?
Yes. The bowl is still excellent without it — add extra vegetables or a spoonful of kimchi instead.
Keep cooking
Related Recipes
Learn the ingredients
Related Ingredients
Level up
