Kimchi Arancini

These kimchi arancini are a Korean-inspired riff on an Italian classic. Fried rice with kimchi is stuffed with mozzarella, deep-fried until golden and served with a spicy gochujang sour cream.

Adapted from Kim Sunée | Everyday Korean | Countryman Press, 2017

These deep-fried orbs of kimchi arancini with their inner melty, cheesy gooeyness are pretty much guaranteed to bring you happiness no matter what else is going on in your life. An absolutely brilliant Korean riff on the classic Italian fried risotto snack with an unexpected chile heat.–Jenny Howard

Kimchi Arancini

• Quick Glance
• 35 M
• 40 M
• Makes 12

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Ingredients

• For the gochujang sour cream
• 1/2 cup sour cream or crème fraiche
• 1/4 cup store-bought or homemade gochujang* (see note below)
• For the kimchi arancini
• 2 cups dried Italian-style bread crumbs, homemade bread crumbs, or panko
• 2 cups tightly packed cold leftover Kimchi Fried Rice (about 12 oz)
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano, plus more for finishing (optional)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging
• Pinch gochugaru* (optional; see note below)
• Pinch salt (optional)
• 1 to 1 1/2 ounces low-moisture mozzarella
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• Maldon salt or fleur de sel, for sprinkling
• Sesame seeds, chopped green onion, or chopped herbs, for garnish (optional)

Directions

• Make the gochujang sour cream
• 1. In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream and gochujang until well-blended. The gochujang sour cream will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Stir before using.
  
  ☞ TESTER TIP: Go ahead and double the gochujang sour cream recipe since it’s going to be your new favorite dip for everything. (We’re looking at you, potato chips!)
• Make the kimchi arancini
• 2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• 3. If using panko or homemade bread crumbs, toss them in a food processor and grind until very fine.
• 4. Chop any large pieces of kimchi in the leftover kimchi fried rice.
• 5. In a large bowl, lightly beat 1 egg. Add the kimchi fried rice, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, and the Parmigiano-Reggiano, and stir until just combined.
• 6. Set up an assembly station for forming the arancini. In a small, shallow bowl, beat 2 eggs. Place the flour in a separate shallow bowl. Pour the remaining bread crumbs on a plate and, if desired, season with a pinch of gochugaru and salt. Cut the mozzarella into a dozen 1/2-inch (12-mm) cubes.
• 7. Dust your hands with a little flour, scoop up 2 to 3 tablespoons of the kimchi fried rice mixture, and press or gently squeeze the rice together in both hands to form a ball about 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Don’t worry if it’s not perfectly round at this point.
• 8. Press a cube of mozzarella into the center of each ball and massage the rice to cover any holes.
• 9. Dredge the ball again very lightly in the flour. Dip it in the beaten egg. Shake off any excess egg and then roll the ball in bread crumbs to coat evenly. Press and shape the ball to make it more compact and uniform in shape. Place the finished ball on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue until all the rice mixture is used. You should have about 12 balls.
• 10. To deep-fry the arancini, in a large pot with high sides, heat 4 inches (10 cm) of oil (about 4 cups) until very hot but not smoking (350°F or 180°C). To shallow-fry the arancini, heat 1/2 inch (12 mm) of oil (about 2 cups) in a large, cast-iron skillet.
• 11. Test the oil by dropping a bread crumb into the pot; if it sizzles right away, you’re ready to fry. Carefully lower the rice balls into the hot oil, one by one, and cook over medium-high heat, turning them gently as needed, until golden brown all over, 4 to 5 minutes. Do not crowd the pot.
• 12. Using a slotted spoon or spider, lift the kimchi arancini from the oil, allowing any excess oil to drip back into the pot or skillet. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or a cooling rack. Season the kimchi arancini with a bit of salt or finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, if using. Give the kimchi arancini about a minute to cool.
• 13. Meanwhile, stir the sesame seeds, green onion, and chopped herbs, if using, into the gochujang sour cream.
• 14. Pile the warm kimchi arancini on a small platter and serve immediately, passing the gochujang sour cream on the side. (Leftover kimchi arancini can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in a 350°F (176°C) oven.)

*What You Need to Know About Gochujang & Gochugaru

• Gochujang and gochugaru are popular Korean spice products and can be found easily in most Asian markets, some larger grocery stores, and of course, online. Gochujang exhibits a subtle but complex flavor profile of smoke, spice, and slight sweetness and is a thick, fermented paste that usually comes in small, rectangular tubs. For the gochujang sour cream recipe here, you could also substitute an alternate Asian chili paste, such as chili garlic sauce, starting with a smaller measurement and adding more, to taste. Gochugaru is a coarse chili powder with a texture similar to crushed red pepper flakes.

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