Somewhere between Iftar cravings and late-night hunger lives this bowl. It’s sticky, spicy-sweet, deeply comforting, and packed with protein. This Korean-Inspired Gochujang Salmon Rice is made for Ramadan evenings when you want bold flavour without spending your entire energy in the kitchen.
Short prep. Big flavour. Serious nourishment.
Let’s cook!
Ingredients (Serves 2 generously)
For the salmon
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp gochujang paste
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger (optional but elite)
For the bowl
- 1 to 1½ cups jasmine rice (or microwave rice packets for shortcut)
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Pinch salt
- Pinch sugar
Optional toppings (highly recommended)
- Soft boiled egg
- Sliced cucumber or avocado
- Spring onions
- Sesame seeds
Step-by-step
(Under 30 minutes, promise)
1. Quick pickle the carrots
- Mix carrots with vinegar, salt, and sugar.
- Set aside while everything else cooks.
Two minutes. Done.
2. Cook your rice
- Rinse jasmine rice and cook as per packet instructions.
- Shortcut: microwave rice packets save serious time.
No shame in shortcuts.
3. Make the glaze
- Whisk gochujang, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
This is your flavour bomb.
4. Pan-sear the salmon
- Heat a pan with oil on medium-high.
- Place salmon skin-side down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flip, pour glaze over, and spoon sauce while cooking another 2 minutes.
Sticky. Glossy. Perfect.
5. Assemble the bowl
- Add rice to your bowl.
- Top with glazed salmon.
- Drizzle leftover sauce.
- Finish with pickled carrots and toppings.
Eat immediately. Trust me.
Why This Bowl Works for Ramadan
This one hits both comfort and nutrition.
You’re getting:
- Omega-3 rich salmon to keep you fuller for longer
- Fermented gochujang for gut-friendly depth and warmth
- Balanced carbs and protein to restore post-fast energy
- Light textures that won’t weigh you down
Translation: cozy, satisfied, and still functional.
Perfect for solo Iftars. Perfect for small gatherings. Perfect when you want something different from the usual spread.
Quick Swaps
- No salmon? Use tofu or grilled chicken.
- No jasmine rice? Try brown rice or quinoa.
- Want more crunch? Add shredded cabbage or radish.
This dish continues our Healthy Ramadan, One Dish a Day series. Protein-forward. Globally inspired. Actually doable after fasting.
Stay hungry, but make it smart.
