This Korean Beef Bowl recipe is a quick and flavorful meal that's perfect for busy weeknights or when you are in the mood for something delicious and satisfying.

Korean Ground Beef Bowl with Rice

The Korean Beef Bowl is a great dinner choice for so many reasons. It is simple and quick to make, perfect for evenings when you're looking for a hearty meal without a lengthy, complicated prep or cook time.

If you aren't familiar cooking with Korean spices and sauces, this recipe is the perfect intro. A delicious blend of garlic, ginger, Korean sweet soy sauce, and Gochujang brings big Korean flavors to your table.

This recipe is also highly versatile and allows you to easily tailor it to your taste preferences by modifying the types and amounts of spices used, so you can really make this your own.

Try serving this dish with our Quick Cucumber Kimchi!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to prepare – Who doesn't love a dinner that's on the table in 30 minutes that everyone wants seconds of?
Delicious Korean flavors – Combining traditional Korean ingredients like Gochujang and sweet soy sauce creates an easy and delicious dish.
Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners – This recipe is perfect for your make-ahead lunches. It reheats beautifully!

Try our Gochujang Pork Tenderloin, too!

Recipe Shopping List

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Lean Ground Beef – 85/15 works well—flavorful but not greasy.
Garlic Paste (Or Chopped Garlic) – Adds a quick aromatic base.
Ginger Paste (Or Minced Ginger) – Fresh zing that balances the sauce.
Korean Chili Salt (Or Gochugaru) – Adds mild, smoky heat; optional but great.
Seoul BBQ Salt (Optional) – Adds sweetness and depth; sub with a pinch of brown sugar if needed.
Korean Sweet Soy Sauce – Sweeter and thicker than regular soy; adds a glossy finish.
Soy Sauce – Adds depth and saltiness.
Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste) – Thick, spicy, and full of fermented flavor.
Sesame Oil – Nutty, fragrant finish that ties it all together.
Sesame Seeds – Adds crunch and a little toastiness.
Green Onions – Bright, fresh garnish that pops on top.

Try with our Asian Chicken Salad!

How To Make This Recipe

This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

Brown The Beef – In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef with garlic and ginger paste. Season with chili salt and Seoul BBQ salt, or use substitutions.
Drain The Fat – Once browned, drain off excess grease.
Add The Sauce – Stir in sweet soy, regular soy sauce, gochujang, and sesame oil. Mix well and reduce heat.
Simmer Briefly – Let everything cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring to coat the meat.
Serve And Garnish – Spoon over steamed rice and top with sesame seeds and green onions.

Enjoy with some authentic Mandu from Kimchimari!

Recipe FAQ

Can this recipe be made in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the beef mixture ahead of time and reheat it when ready to serve.

What's the best way to store and reheat the leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in a skillet or microwave, adding a little water to keep the beef moist.

Can I use different types of meat?

Absolutely! Try using ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

Is this dish spicy?

The spiciness can be adjusted by the amount of Gochujang and Korean Chili Salt used.

Try with our Homemade Egg Rolls!

Serve This With

More Stir-Fry Recipes

Yield: 4 servings

Korean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Hearty, delicious, and simple is the name of this stir fry game! We use classic Korean sauces and seasonings and a couple of new blends that are perfect for this dish!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 teaspoon garlic paste (or chopped garlic)
1/2 teaspoon ginger paste (or minced ginger)
1 tablespoon Korean Chili Salt (optional - can sub in 1 teaspoon gochugaru instead)
1 teaspoon Seoul BBQ Salt (optional, but amazing)
3 tablespoons Korean sweet soy sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons Korean Red Chili Paste (Gochujang)
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon chopped green onions

Instructions

Place the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger paste. Season with the Chili Salt and Seoul BBQ Salt, if using. Or the applicable substitutions.
Brown the meat, breaking up into small pieces as it cooks.
Drain off the excess fat.
Add in the soy sauces, chili paste, and sesame oil.
Let cook over medium-low heat for another 2-3 minutes, stirring to coat all the beef.
Serve over hot steamed rice and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.