Ready to revolutionize your breakfast game? Then you’ll love this Kimchi Omelet: fluffy eggs gently folded over a colorful medley of savory veggies like zucchini and green onions, all jazzed up with a generous helping of chopped kimchi. The spicy, crunchy kick of kimchi transforms the humble egg into something extraordinary. It’ll make your first meal of the day anything but ordinary. And the best part? It’s so simple to whip up in a small nonstick pan and perfect for those busy mornings. Trust me, once you try this, classic omelettes will just seem… eggstra. 🥁 *badum tsssss* 🥁
This is a recipe I’ve created for client Mitsukan, the makers of one of the very best Mirin out there.
Why This Kimchi Omelet Is So Good
- Veggie-Packed: It’s a garden party in your mouth! Fresh zucchini, green onions, and the superstar: kimchi.
- Ready in a Flash: Got 10 minutes? That’s all you need to whip up this bad boy. Whether you’re hustling in the morning or looking for a quick-fix meal at lunch or dinner, the cooking process is simple and straightforward. It’s a great way to make something scrumptious when time’s not on your side.
- All-Day Rockstar: Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? This kimchi omelet doesn’t play by the rules of time. It’s hearty enough to kickstart your day, yet chill enough to be your dinner buddy. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of meals.
- Flavor Explosion: Get ready for a taste sensation. Salty, spicy, sour, savory, and a hint of sweet. This omelet hits all the right notes.
Ingredients For A Kimchi Omelet
How To Make A Kimchi Omelet
Start by beating a couple of eggs together with the mirin in a small bowl.
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the zucchini, green onion and kimchi and saute for about 2 minutes.
Then, pour in the eggs with mirin.
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper then turn down the heat to medium. Cover skillet and cook until the egg is nearly set, about 2-3 minutes.
Fold the omelet in half and serve.
What Does Kimchi Taste Like?
Because kimchi is a fermented dish, it has a prominent sour flavor. It works perfectly with the sweet rice wine in this egg dish.
The main flavor notes you’ll find in fermented kimchi include sour, spicy, and umami. The flavor will also vary depending on the vegetables, length of fermentation and the amount of salt or sugar used.
In short, kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish. There are hundreds of varieties available, but the one that Americans are most familiar with is made from salted napa cabbage and spices. Kimchi is often mixed with other vegetables like radish, onion, and garlic.
The Secret Ingredient In This Kimchi Omelet
Kimchi isn’t the secret ingredient here – it’s actually the Mirin, or Japanese sweet rice wine that really brings it all together. The mirin gives the omelet just the right touch of sweetness to balance all of the flavors – so that you have salty, spicy, sour, savory and a tinge of sweet. Kimchi adds the spicy and sour.
Great For Breakfast, Lunch Or Dinner!
As far as egg recipes go, this kimchi omelet is easy to make and filling enough for any time of the day – breakfast, lunch or dinner! Perfect for a busy weeknight meal or a hearty weekend brunch. Serve with toast, hash browns or a nice side salad.
Top Tips For A Kimchi Omelet
- Mitsuka is the perfect brand for sweet rice wine for this recipe!
- Prepare filling first. Omelets cook so quickly, any fillings should be ready to go before starting the eggs.
- Omelets are best cooked one at a time and served immediately.
- Omelet pans are shallow and have sloped sides – designed for ease of moving the omelet mixture during cooking and for sliding the finished omelet out. If you don’t have an omelet pan, it’s best to use a heavy skillet with sloping sides.
FAQs for this Kimchi Omelet Recipe
Can I use egg whites only for a healthier version? Absolutely! If you prefer, you can make this with egg whites for a lighter version. The great taste of the kimchi and veggies will still shine through.
What type of oil is best for cooking the omelet? A teaspoon of cooking oil, like vegetable oil or olive oil, works great. If you’re feeling adventurous, try sesame oil for an extra Asian flair.
How can I make the omelet more filling? For a heartier meal, add a little cheddar or creamy cheddar cheese. You can also increase the protein by adding more eggs or throwing in some diced chicken breast.
Can I make this omelet in a cast iron skillet? Yes, you can use a well-seasoned cast iron or a non-stick pan. Just make sure to adjust the heat as cast iron retains more heat than a regular non-stick pan.
Is it okay to add more vegetables to the omelet? Definitely! Feel free to add bell peppers, kale, or any other vegetables you have on hand. It’s a great way to pack in more nutrients.
Can I make this recipe with store-bought kimchi? Store-bought kimchi works perfectly for this recipe. Look for it in the Asian section of your grocery store.
What’s the best way to ensure the omelet cooks evenly? Cook on medium heat and cover the skillet for even cooking. This helps to set the eggs without burning the bottom.
Any tips for folding the omelet without it falling apart? Use a large, flat spatula and ensure the bottom has set and is golden brown before attempting to fold.
Can I add any sauces for extra flavor? A drizzle of sriracha sauce, soy sauce, or your favorite hot sauce can add an extra zing. Add them to the egg mixture or on top of the finished omelet to give your taste buds a little flavor boost.
How long does this omelet keep in the fridge? It’s best enjoyed fresh, but omelets with more than just egg can be kept for 2-3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently, but keep in mind that reheating might change the texture slightly.
Check Out These Other Delicious Omelet Recipes
- Kale Salad with Mushroom Omelet
- Sundried Tomato Omelet with Creamy Basil Tomato Sauce
- Japanese Mushroom Recipes
- Mushroom and Spinach Omelet
Have you tried this Kimchi Omelet Recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating and I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Kimchi Omelet
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon sweet rice wine mirin - I prefer Mitsukan brand
- 1 teaspoon cooking oil
- 1/4 zucchini sliced very thinly in half-moons
- 1/2 stalk green onion green part only, cut into 1 1/2" lengths
- 2 tablespoons chopped kimchi plus more for serving
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, beat the eggs together with the mirin.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with the cooking oil. Add the zucchini, green onion and the chopped kimchi and saute for 2 minutes.
- Pour in the egg mixture, season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat to medium and cover skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the egg is nearly set. Fold omelet in half and cook until done. Serve with additional kimchi on the side.
Very tasty and provides ideas for introducing other flavours (in place of courgettes). However, mine turned out to be scrambled eggs, which is perhaps an indictment of my own omelette making skills! As I try and become more vegan, will be trying out kimchi and scallion pancakes next.
Does cooking the kimchi kill the probiotics like if you cook yogurt, or the beneficial aspects of raw honey?
As long as the heat doesn’t get too hot and you don’t cook the kimchi too long, it’s fine.
This has been my brunch several times since you introduced me to it. I just love it.
I made traditional kimchi yesterday and used it to make this for lunch – amazing! The mirin adds the perfect complexity to the eggs. Thanks!
I just made this and it’s absolutely delicious. My dad came into the kitchen and tried it. He’s jealous now.
omg, i still have some leftover kimchi pancakes that i bought from a Koran eatery in the fridge. i find them kind of greasy. this looks very healthy that i am going to try it soon:)
yummm kimchi pancakes 🙂
I love this dish. I tried it. I am going to prepare it again this month. Thank you for the recipe. It is a great idea for a meal.
I love anything with kimchi…and I’ll eat it BLD too! 😉
What a great idea – love kim chi in soup (the spicy stew with tofu), fried rice and cold soba noodles, but haven’t tried it in an omelet – yummy!
Simple recipe for the college kid too :] What else do you recommend that is simple/convenient?
this is a total favorite in my house. i actually just finished a batch of Leek Kimchi and the first request was for a kimchi omelet. 😉
OMG, I LOVE kim chi and always have a big jar of it in the house! My favorite breakfast is Ramen noodles with an egg poached in the broth and kim chi in the bottom of the bowl!
Love the combination of ingredients – I’ve never added kimchi to omelets.
BLD. Clever. Omelets are always a hit, can’t wait to add a little spice too.
Not a big fan of kimchi but this looks really good. I know its an acquired taste I wonder if my taste buds have changed since 8th grade. I bet so! Maybe this will actually taste good 15 years later!
Interesting! Maybe it’s just the stores here in NYC then. The kimchi sold here needs a few days of some fermenting time. I’m jealous of those that gan get already fermented kimchi!!
YUM! The kimchi should be aged before using, yes?
The kimchi is aged already when you buy it at the store.
Mmm this sounds soo yummy! Love this idea.
Beautiful!!!!
I love Kimchi, this looks absolutely fantastic…
Love this recipe. So mouth-watering!
I hope you are feeling better Jaden. Heal up soon 🙂
I’m a kimchi girl. Love this.
And already have mirin in my cabinet for Japanese meals I make, so this would be perfect!
Oh yum!! I just loooooove kimchi!
Kimchi hot dogs, kimchi omelets…YES!! Kimchi goes with everything. period.
Love everything about this. My mouth is watering after reading those ingredients!
This looks great! I’ve made Kimchi omelets before but I’ve never thought to add Mirin (which I have already anyway). I’ll definitely be trying this soon.
Yum! This looks great. I love tamago style omelets with mirin and soy and kimchi, obviously, makes everything better!
That looks simply amazing. I’ve never heard of Kimchi or the Mirin but they have me curious.
Oh my goodness, this is a terrific idea for kimchi. I love how you blended all the flavors together in this omelet. And mirin as an added ingredient? Wow! Thanks for sharing. Will try this soon. Thanks, Jaden!
W-H-O-A. I sort of just fell in love.