Skip to main content
Korean Steak Bulgogi with Purple Rice

Korean Steak Bulgogi with Purple Rice

Enjoy a multi-dish culinary tour of a new destination!

Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on November 13, 2025

This Korean-style feast is full of textures, savory flavors, and bright colors, from the slightly sweet and umami glazed steak, to the purple sesame rice dotted with toasted seaweed, and the homemade crispy scallion pancake made with our foolproof batter. You'll serve it all with a spicy cucumber salad plus a soy-vinegar-sesame dipping sauce.

Tags:
Easy Prep
New
Culinary Discoveries
Allergens:
Sesame
Soy
Wheat
Milk
Eggs

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Total Time45 minutes
Prep Time5 minutes
DifficultyEasy
serving amount

12 ounce

Sirloin Steak

10 teaspoon

Rice Wine Vinegar

1 unit

Onion

4 ounce

Bulgogi Sauce

(Contains: Sesame, Soy, Wheat)

¾ cup

Jasmine Rice

2 tablespoon

Soy Sauce

(Contains: Soy, Wheat)

1 teaspoon

Korean Chili Flakes

2 unit

Mini Cucumber

2 tablespoon

Sesame Seeds

(Contains: Sesame)

½ tablespoon

Sesame Oil

(Contains: Sesame)

82 g

Tempura Batter Mix

(Contains: Wheat, Milk, Eggs)

4 unit

Scallions

½ unit

Purple Sweet Potato

½ unit

Roasted Seaweed Sheets

Not included in your delivery

2 tablespoon (tbsp)

Cooking Oil

2 teaspoon (tsp)

Salt

2 teaspoon (tsp)

Sugar

2 teaspoon (tsp)

Cooking Oil

teaspoon (tsp)

Black Pepper

/ per serving
Calories1340 kcal
Fat54 g
Saturated Fat13 g
Carbohydrate152 g
Sugar39 g
Dietary Fiber8 g
Protein48 g
Cholesterol130 mg
Sodium3920 mg
Potassium1140 mg
Calcium130 mg
Iron4.4 mg
Due to the different suppliers we purchase our products from, nutritional facts per meal can vary from the website to what is received in the delivered box, depending on your region.
Paper Towel
Small pot
Peeler
Medium Bowl
Small Bowl
Large Pan
Large Bowl

Cooking Steps

Cook Rice & Prep
1
  • Wash and dry produce.

  • Pat steak* dry with paper towels; place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. Peel and halve sweet potato lengthwise; thinly slice into half-moons.

  • In a small pot, combine rice, half the sweet potato, 1½ cups water, and a pinch of salt (all the sweet potato and 2¾ cups water for 4 servings). Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until tender, 25-27 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

  • While rice cooks, trim and thinly slice cucumbers into rounds. Halve, peel, and dice onion into ¾-inch pieces until you have 2 TBSP (4 TBSP for 4); cut remaining onion into ¼-inch wedges. Trim and cut scallions into 2-inch batons.

Make Salad & Dipping Sauce
2
  • In a medium bowl, combine cucumbers, one packet of vinegar, half a packet of sesame seeds, half the chili flakes, 1 tsp sugar, salt, and pepper until combined and coated (two packets of vinegar, one packet of sesame seeds, and 2 tsp sugar for 4 servings). Set aside in fridge.

  • In a small bowl, combine diced onion, soy sauce, half a packet of vinegar, half a packet of sesame seeds, remaining chili flakes, and ½ tsp sugar (one packet of vinegar, one packet of sesame seeds, and 1 tsp sugar for 4). Set aside in fridge. (Save remaining vinegar for another use.)

Cook Steak
3
  • Remove steak from freezer and thinly slice against the grain.

  • Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add onion wedges and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 1-2 minutes.

  • Add steak; season with salt and pepper. Cook until cooked through, 2-3 minutes.

  • Add bulgogi sauce and half a packet of sesame seeds (one packet for 4 servings); cook until sauce has slightly reduced and steak is evenly coated, 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl.

Make Batter
4
  • Heat a -inch layer of oil in a second large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.

  • In a large bowl, combine tempura batter mix, ½ cup cold water (1 cup for 4 servings), ½ tsp sugar (1 tsp for 4), and salt (we used ½ tsp; 1 tsp for 4). TIP: If needed, add more water 1 TBSP at a time until mixture reaches a pancake-batter-like consistency.

  • Stir scallions into bowl with batter.

Cook Scallion Pancake
5
  • Once oil is hot enough that a drop of batter sizzles when added to the pan, carefully add all the coated scallions and batter. (For 4 servings, add half the coated scallions and batter. Cook in two batches, adding more oil as needed.) Using tongs, spread scallions out in a single layer. TIP: Add batter close to the pan to avoid splatter. Adjust heat if pancake is browning too quickly. You can also make smaller pancakes if you like!

  • Cook until golden brown and crisp on the bottom and batter is bubbling on the top, 3-4 minutes. Flip pancake away from you using tongs and a spatula. Cook until other side is golden brown and crisp, 2-3 minutes more.

  • Using tongs, carefully transfer pancake to a paper-towel-lined plate. Season with a pinch of salt.

Finish & Serve
6
  • Fluff rice with a fork until sweet potato is mashed and evenly incorporated, turning the rice purple. Crumble two roasted seaweed sheets (four sheets for 4 servings) into pot. Add half the sesame oil (all for 4) and remaining sesame seeds. Stir to evenly incorporate ingredients. (Save remaining seaweed sheets for another use.)

  • Cut scallion pancake into quarters.

  • Serve bulgogi steak family style with purple rice, scallion pancake, dipping sauce, and cucumber salad on the side.

Customer reviews

Review summary

Updated on Dec 2025
  • Flavor: Many enjoyed the dish's complex flavors, especially the onion sauce and marinated cucumbers. Some found the beef too sweet or tough.
  • Ease of prep: Several felt the recipe had too many steps and was time-consuming. Consider preparing components in advance for a smoother cooking experience.
  • Suggestions: Cook the steak last to prevent overcooking. For a tender result, ensure you're slicing against the grain.
  • Rice: The purple rice divided opinions; some loved the color, while others found it mushy. Consider reducing cooking time for firmer texture.
  • Pancake: The scallion pancake was a highlight for many. Use less oil and cook on medium heat for better cohesion.
AI-generated from customer reviews

This week's must-try HelloFresh recipes