You heard it here first—kimchi fries are the snack food you didn’t know you needed. Trust us! It only takes one bite, and you’ll be hooked like we are. Check out this recipe for a kimchi pancake, too.
What Are Kimchi Fries?
The foundation for this snack is simple: fresh, golden french fries, cheese and hot or mild kimchi. You can buy kimchi at the grocery store or make your own at home with this recipe. After that, the toppings are only limited by your imagination.
If you want to stay traditional, popular toppings include green onions, sliced chili peppers, toasted sesame seeds, cilantro and lime wedges. You may also see kimchi fries topped with tasty, caramelized beef bulgogi or crispy pork belly for an extra-special treat.
Who Invented Kimchi Fries?
Before we roll up our sleeves and dig in, let’s talk history. Who deserves a gold medal for delivering this amazing gift from the snack heavens? Most sources give credit to Jae Kim, owner of Chi’Lantro, an Austin, Texas-based food truck.
Chi’Lantro opened in 2010, serving Mexican and Korean food. One day, Kim decided to top french fries with the loads of kimchi he would have left at the end of the day. The new menu item was an instant hit and today, you can find food trucks almost everywhere serving up their take on Chi’Lantro’s food revelation.
How to Make Kimchi Fries
If there isn’t a food truck with kimchi fries in your area, don’t fret. You can make a plate of kimchi fries at home in under 30 minutes. This recipe calls for ingredients that can be found in most supermarkets, too.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen french fries, cooked according to package directions
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
- 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced
- 4 green onions, diced
- 1 jar mild or spicy kimchi, roughly chopped
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 6-8 ounces cooked crispy pork belly or beef bulgogi, optional
- 3 tablespoons sriracha or gochujang sauce, optional
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Cook your french fries
Bake or deep-fry a bag of your favorite frozen french fries according to the package directions. While they’re still hot and fresh from the oven or fryer, drizzle with a little sesame oil and season with salt, to taste. Transfer fries to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 2: Cheese ’em
Arrange your cooked french fries on the baking sheet and then top generously with shredded cheese. We recommend mozzarella for its excellent melting properties and mild flavor. (Find our recommended brands of mozzarella cheese.) Place the cheese-topped fries into a preheated 350° F oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. When cheese is melted and bubbly, remove from oven.
Step 3: Load ’em up
While the fries are still warm, top them with kimchi, green onions, peppers, sesame seeds, beef bulgogi or pork belly.
Step 4: Get saucy
Finish the fries by drizzling with your choice of sriracha, gochujang or mayo. Serve piping hot and chow down. It may be an indulgent snack, but don’t forget, kimchi has all kinds of health benefits!
Find More Delicious Things to Make With Frozen French Fries
This combines the hearty, spicy flavors of my beloved slow cooker short ribs with my all-time favorite comfort food: fries and gravy. With a little prep in the morning, it's just about ready when I come home from work (plus, the kitchen smells amazing!). —Erin DeWitt, Long Beach, California Not sure which brand of frozen french fries to buy?
Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend.
I love Reubens, so I turned this classic sammie into a fun appetizer with corned beef and sauerkraut on waffle fries. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Get Recipe
This is a very popular dish at restaurants in central Pennsylvania. Prepared sweet-and-sour dressing is good on this salad, too. —Nancy Collins, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Get Recipe
My husband and two grown sons really enjoy these fun nachos—they can devour a platter of them in no time. They're also fun to make when friends come over. —Debra Morgan, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Get Recipe
Convenience items like frozen vegetables, cottage fries and a jar of cheese sauce make it a snap to assemble this comforting pork chop supper. It's a simple one-dish meal. —Gregg Voss, Emerson, Nebraska
Get Recipe
The delicious chili goes together in minutes and then cooks while you run errands. The only way to make it even better is to pour it over crisp french fries and sprinkle with cheese. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Get Recipe
Running a bed-and-breakfast keeps us busy. Once in a while I get creative and try to improve on an already good dish. That's how I came up with this one. It's a favorite among our guests.—Ellen Berdan, Salkum, Washington
Get Recipe
A British pub classic turns crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with white fish like cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Get Recipe
I never thought of using waffle-cut fries as a scoop for dip until a friend of mine did at a baby shower. They’re ideal for my cheesy bacon and chive dip, which tastes just like a baked potato topper. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Get Recipe
The entire family will enjoy this heartwarming, all-in-one dinner. And cleanup is a breeze! —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio
Get Recipe
Playing with food is loads of fun when you have Tater Tots and taco toppings. Let kids build their own for smiles all around. —Eleanor Mielke, Mitchell, South Dakota
Get Recipe
Kids love this casserole because it combines two of their favorite fast foods. And I like the fact that I can whip it up with just four ingredients. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana
Get Recipe
This peerless pastrami sandwich was adapted from a menu favorite at Primanti Bros. Restaurant in Pittsburgh. We took the basic ingredients—grilled cold cuts, cheese, fried potatoes and tomatoes—and created a tasty replica, including our version of their secret coleslaw topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Get Recipe
Make any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
Get Recipe
The caramelized onions and creamy sauce make these yummy bites a huge hit at parties. People say they’re even better than the mini burger appetizers that are so popular at restaurants.—Maribeth Condo, Lindenhurst, Illinois
Get Recipe
The ultimate in French-Canadian junk food, poutine commonly features warm fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. This side dish is quick to fix with frozen potatoes and packaged gravy but has all the traditional greasy spoon comfort. —Shelisa Terry, Henderson, Nevada
Get Recipe
Get ready for a gourmet loaded baked potato in casserole form. This is so good, I can’t resist making it several times a month. And, it’s a quick and easy dish for company, too. My sister gave me the recipe, and I’m always happy to pass it along. —Peggy Grieme, Pinehurst, North Carolina
Get Recipe
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina
Get Recipe
I keep frozen Tater Tots on hand for meals like this yummy Tater Tot casserole. It’s a super brunch, breakfast or side dish for kids of all ages. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Get Recipe
This is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
Get Recipe
Here’s a deliciously downsized version of the ever-popular Philly cheesesteak. For perfect bite-size snacks, the sandwich ingredients are layered on waffle-cut fries instead of buns.
Get Recipe
This bacon cheeseburger tater tot casserole is the perfect dish to bribe your kids; homework, chores, piano practice—consider them done! —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Get Recipe
Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables, so I'm constantly on the lookout for new ways of preparing it. This casserole is a great oven entree. —Connie Bolton, San Antonio, Texas.
Get Recipe
My family is all about chili fries, but restaurant versions pile on the calories. For a healthier approach, bake them and serve with green onions and avocado. —Beverly Nowling, Bristol, Florida
Get Recipe
The post How to Make Kimchi Fries appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lauren Habermehl
