Korean Bulgogi Poke Bowl

Part Korean rice bowl, part poke-style lunch bowl, this dish centres on bulgogi-style beef: thin slices of sirloin coated in soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and rice vinegar, then cooked fast so the sauce reduces around the meat. Sticky sushi rice gives the bowl structure, while cucumber, carrot and spring onion add crunch, freshness and a clean finish against the savoury, sesame-rich beef. It is a practical 30-minute meal with the satisfying feel of a composed bowl, best served straight away while the rice is warm, the beef is glossy and the vegetables stay crisp.
Cuisine style Korean-inspired rice bowl
Cooking style Meal prep friendly • Minimal cleanup
Time commitment Under 30 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Fast cooking: Thinly sliced beef cooks in minutes over high heat, making the bowl practical for lunch or a quick dinner.
  • Savoury depth: Soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and rice vinegar create a simple sauce with umami, nuttiness and gentle tang.
  • Fresh contrast: Sticky rice and glossy beef are balanced by raw cucumber, carrot and spring onion for crunch and freshness.

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Ingredient notes

  • Choose tender beef: Sirloin works well because it cooks quickly and stays tender when sliced thinly against the grain.
  • Rice texture: Sushi rice gives the bowl a lightly sticky base that holds the sauce; jasmine rice will feel looser and less compact.

Common mistakes

  • Avoid crowding: If the pan is too full, the beef can steam instead of browning. Use a wide pan and keep the heat high.
  • Do not overcook the beef: Because the slices are thin, they only need a few minutes. Remove them once browned and just cooked through.

Make-ahead tips

  • Store separately: Keep the rice, beef and raw vegetables in separate airtight containers so the vegetables stay crisp.
  • Reheat before assembling: Warm the rice and beef until piping hot, then add the cucumber, carrot and spring onion just before serving.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Tip into a saucepan with 300 ml water, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and leave, covered, for 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and rice vinegar in a bowl. Slice the beef thinly against the grain and toss through the sauce until well coated. Slice the cucumber, cut the carrot into thin matchsticks, and finely slice the spring onion.
  3. Heat a large frying pan over a high heat, then add the beef with most of its sauce. Stir-fry for 2 to 4 minutes until browned and just cooked through, reducing the sauce so it clings to the meat. Remove from the heat.
  4. Fluff the rice and divide between two bowls. Top with the beef, cucumber, carrot and spring onion, then spoon over any pan juices. Finish with sesame seeds and serve straight away.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the most tender texture, slice the beef as thinly as you can and always cut against the grain.
  • Keep the pan very hot and cook the beef quickly so it browns without stewing.

Substitutions

  • Replace Beef sirloin steak with Beef ribeye for a richer, more marbled bulgogi.
  • Replace Sushi rice with Jasmine rice for a looser grain and a less sticky bowl.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Store rice, beef and vegetables separately in airtight containers. Reheat the rice and beef in the microwave until piping hot, then add the fresh vegetables after reheating to keep them crisp.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 bowls
  • Total time: 30min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Korean
  • Allergens:
    Sesame Soybeans
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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Equipment you'll need

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