Quick Korean (Leftover Rice) Lunch Recipes Under 30 Mins

“Short on time but still want a tasty lunch? These Korean recipes are the perfect solution!”

Korean dishes are a flavor-packed culinary adventure, featuring iconic dishes like kimchi, bulgogi, bibimbap, and japchae.

Known for its fresh ingredients and healthy options, Korean cuisine boasts an abundance of vegetable and fermented foods for a wholesome and nutritious meal.

With a balanced set meal consisting of rice, soup, and various side dishes, Korean lunch options are ideal for those who crave a satisfying and complete meal.

And the best part? With simple recipes available online, anyone can enjoy Korean cuisine from the comfort of their own kitchen!

Don’t believe us?

We’ve got some quick and easy Quick Korean Lunch Recipes Under 30 Minutes perfect for busy schedules and a taste of Korea anytime, anywhere!

Quick Korean Lunch Recipes Under 30 Minutes

Korean cuisine is delicious, wholesome, and ideal for a quick lunch break. But a common misconception is that they are too difficult to prepare at home.

With these quick Korean food recipes, which can be made in less than 30 minutes, you can experience Korean flavours without spending all day in the kitchen.

#1. Korean Ground Beef Noodles

This dish has the ideal ratio of sweet and savoury flavours, and the vegetables make it a nutritious option for a meal.

Furthermore, it’s a great way to introduce Korean food to picky diners who may not be familiar with its flavours. You can also try the healthy Japchae Sweet Potato Noodles very much popular among K-POP stars.

Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes

Instructions:

1. Noodles should be cooked as directed on the package until they are al dente. Drain then set apart.
2. Combine Soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, Korean black vinegar, chili flakes (if using), and black pepper in a small bowl.
3. Heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a big skillet or wok. Stir-fry the minced garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
4. When the ground beef is browned and no longer pink, add it to the skillet and cook it while breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
5. After adding the sauce, stir the beef to combine. Cook the sauce for 1-2 minutes, or until it slightly thickens.
6. Add cooked noodles to the skillet with the beef and sauce and mixed well.
7. Serve the hot Korean beef noodles with chopped green onions and sesame seeds as a garnish (if desired).

Enjoy your delicious ground beef and Korean-style noodles! This is one of the most favorite Korean comfort food recipes.

Side this: Serve a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil for a light side dish. It will enhance the flavours of the noodles and give your meal some crunch.

#2. Spicy Korean Rice Cakes

Spicy Korean rice cakes, also known as tteokbokki , are a popular street food in South Korea. This is a  quick Korean lunch recipe in under 30 minutes.

Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes.

 Instructions:

1. For about 30 minutes, soak the rice cakes in cold water to soften them.

2. In a big pan, heat the vegetable oil on medium-high. Stir-fry the onion slices and garlic until fragrant, then add the minced garlic.

3. Stir-fry the gochujang, gochugaru, and sugar for another minute after adding them to the pan.

4. After draining, add the rice cakes to the pan and stir to coat them in the sauce.

5. Bring the water to a boil in the pan after adding it. Stirring occasionally, lower the heat to medium and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice cakes are tender and the sauce is thick.

6. Add the roasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions.

7. Add some sliced hard-boiled eggs to the top, if desired.

Serve hot and enjoy.

Side Dish: Steamed rice and a side of stir-fried vegetables go well with this dish to make a full meal. This is indeed one of the most liked quick Korean rice recipes.

#3. Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup

Jjamppong, also known as Korean Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup, is a well-known Korean dish that was inspired by Chinese food.

Usually, a spicy broth is used along with a variety of seafood, vegetables, and noodles. Making of this quick Korean lunch is simple.

Preparation and cooking time: 20 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a pot or sizable saucepan. Approximately 3–4 minutes later, add the pork and cook it, stirring occasionally, until it is browned.
2. Saute the onion and garlic in the pot for two to three minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
3. For an additional 2-3 minutes, add the carrot and zucchini to the pot.
4. Stir well to combine the Korean chilli flakes, Korean chilli paste, and soy sauce in the pot.
5. Bring to a boil the water or seafood broth in the pot.
6. When the broth has reached a rolling boil, turn down the heat and add the seafood. Simmer the seafood for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooked.
7. Add the noodles to the pot and cooked as directed on the package.
8. Add salt and pepper to taste when preparing the soup. You can add more water or broth to the dish to make it less spicy if it is too hot.
9. Add sliced green onions as a garnish after ladling the soup into bowls.

Take pleasure in your hot seafood noodle soup!

Side dish : Cucumber salad with a rice vinegar and sesame oil dressing makes a light side dish. It will balance out the soup’s spice and offer a cool counterpoint to its warmth.

Additionally, This soup is a fantastic way to combat Nutrient Deficiencies because it contains a variety of seafood that is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which are necessary for maintaining good health.

The noodles also contain carbohydrates, which can give you the energy to get through the day.

#4. Korean Soft Tofu Stew

Soondubu jjigae, also known as Korean soft tofu stew, is a well-known spicy soup made with silken tofu, vegetables, and frequently seafood or meat.

It is a mainstay of Korean cooking and is frequently eaten as a warm meal in the winter.

Preparation and cooking time: 25 minutes

Instructions:

1. Set aside the soft tofu after cutting it into small cubes.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pot or a Korean earthenware pot (dolsot) over medium-high heat.
3. Stir-fry the ground pork (if using) after adding it until it is thoroughly cooked and no longer pink.
4. Stir-fry the minced garlic and chopped onion in the pot until they are translucent.
5. Stir-fry for an additional minute after adding the gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes).
6. If using, add the sliced kimchi, and stir-fry for an additional minute.
7. Bring the chicken broth or anchovy broth to a boil in the pot.
8. Gently stir in the cubed tofu after adding it to the pot.
9. Add soy sauce, salt, and black pepper for seasoning. Simmer it for 5 to 10 minutes.
10. In the stew, crack an egg, and cook it for two to three minutes.
11. Serve hot with steamed rice and garnish with finely chopped green onion.

Enjoy your mouthwatering Korean soft tofu stew! This is a widely enjoyed Korean comfort food recipes.

Side dish: A common side dish that goes well with Korean Soft Tofu Stew (Soondubu Jjigae) is Korean Style Spinach Salad, or Sigeumchi Namul.

#5. Classic Kimchi Fried Rice( With leftover rice)

This dish is a well-liked cuisine in Korea that is quick and simple to prepare using leftover rice. It’s a fantastic way to flavour your meal and use up any leftover vegetables or protein in your fridge.

Preparation and Cooking time: 13 minutes

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet or wok, warm the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. Stir-fry the chopped onion and garlic in the skillet until the onion is translucent.
3. For an additional 2-3 minutes, stir-fry the chopped kimchi, carrots, and green bell pepper (if using) in the skillet.
4. Cooked rice should be added to the skillet and stir-fried until thoroughly covered in the vegetable mixture.
5. Combine the sesame oil, gochujang, soy sauce, and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir-fry the mixture for an additional two to three minutes in the skillet.
6. Crack an egg into the empty side of the skillet after pushing the rice mixture to one side. The egg should be thoroughly cooked before being mixed with the rice.
7. Stir-fry the scallions for another minute after adding them to the skillet.
8. Place the Kimchi Fried Rice on a plate for serving and top with roasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy your delicious leftover rice-based Classic Kimchi Fried Rice!

Side dish: Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a protein of your choice, like grilled chicken or tofu, for a complete meal.

Some of the quick korean lunch recipes under 30 minutes include the following. This soup is simple to make at home with only a few ingredients, making it ideal for a quick and filling lunch.

For an additional boost of vitamins and minerals, try adding some sliced vegetables like carrots or mushrooms. Try out these Quick Korean Lunch Recipes Under 30 Minutes and be awed by the delicious Asian cuisine.

Lunchtime just got a Korean-inspired upgrade!

Korean cuisine is where taste buds go to party! In a nutshell, Korean cuisine offers a plethora of mouth-watering lunch options that can be whipped up in under 30 minutes!

Whether you’re hustling through the week or taking it easy on the weekends, these quick and easy dishes are packed with flavor and nutrition.

So, why settle for a boring lunch routine when you can indulge in the deliciousness of Korean cuisine? Give them a try and add some spice to your lunchtime