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Prep time
5 minutes
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Cook time
15 minutes
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Serves
2
Author Notes
More often than not I will have all the necessities in the fridge: a nub of Parmesan cheese, a few strips of bacon, definitely some eggs, and always the H-Mart gallon sized tub of kimchi that permanently resides on the bottom shelf. If we’ve grocery shopped that week, we will have remembered to purchase a few cartons of Sun Noodle fresh ramen, the exact brand that supplies noodles to most of the ramen joints in New York City, and the perfectly springy noodle for this dish. The whole thing cooks in just 15 minutes, minimizing time slaved over the stove and maximizing weeknight Netflix binging.
Want to hear more about Korean-American food? On our new podcast Counterjam—a show that explores culture through food and music—host Peter J. Kim talks instant ramyeun hacks, kimchi-jjigae, cheonggukjang, and more with chef Roy Choi and comedian Margaret Cho—check out the episode here. —Irene Yoo
Test Kitchen Notes
Featured in: 15-Minute Kimchi Pasta, the All-Star in My Weeknight Repertoire. —The Editors
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Ingredients
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2
strips good, thick-slab bacon, cut into 1/4-inch strips
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1 cup
well-fermented kimchi, chopped
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8 to 10 ounces
fresh ramen noodles, such as Sun Ramen, or any similar pasta
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2
large organic, cage-free eggs
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1/4 cup
Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
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Freshly ground black pepper
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Chopped scallions, optional
Directions
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Bring a pot of water to a boil. (I don't salt the water because Sun Ramen noodles are alkaline and the dish itself is already pretty salty, but if using other noodles, definitely salt your water once it comes to a boil.)
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Meanwhile, in a separate pan, cook bacon over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until lightly crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside, reserving about 2 tablespoons of fat in pan.
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Add chopped kimchi to the bacon fat and sauté over medium heat until softened and lightly caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside with the bacon.
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By now the water should be boiling. Add the noodles to the pot and cook according to package instructions.
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As noodles are cooking, whisk together eggs, cheese, and black pepper in a bowl until combined.
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When the noodles are done cooking, use a coffee mug with a handle to reserve about 1 cup's worth of pasta water.
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Now you will have to work quickly! Drain noodles and add to the bowl with eggs, mixing quickly so the eggs don't scramble.
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Once combined, add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pasta water, along with the cooked kimchi-bacon mixture. Mix thoroughly until the sauce comes together—it should be thick and creamy.
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Add a few more cranks of black pepper and Parmesan cheese to taste. Divide among two serving bowls and top with chopped scallions if using. Serve immediately.
Irene Yoo is chef and creator of Yooeating, a Korean American food channel that explores Korean home cooking, street food, and culinary history. She has developed recipes and penned essays for Food52, Food Network, and Bon Appetit, and previously presented about Korean culinary history at The Korea Society and The Museum of Food and Drink.
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