What Is This Series About?
Welcome to Easy Korean Meals for Busy Days, a series about simple Korean meals that you can make without complicated cooking.
In the first article, we introduced three easy Korean meals using simple ingredients.
This time, we are making things even easier.
All you need is a microwave, a few simple ingredients, and a little time.
In this article: Three easy Korean meals you can make with a microwave.
Quick Info
| Meal | Main Ingredients | Time | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microwave Gyeran Bap | Rice + Egg | About 5 minutes | Very Easy | A quick breakfast or simple meal |
| Microwave Egg & Spam Rice Bowl | Rice + Egg + Spam | About 7–10 minutes | Easy | A filling one-bowl meal |
| Microwave Tteokbokki | Rice cakes + Gochujang | About 5–10 minutes | Easy | A quick Korean snack or casual meal |
Meal 1 — Microwave Gyeran Bap
Gyeran Bap (계란밥) simply means Korean egg rice. It is one of the simplest Korean comfort foods, made with warm rice, egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Gyeran Bap is also a familiar childhood meal in Korea. Many Korean children grow up eating simple egg rice at home, especially when they need a quick and easy meal.
The traditional version is often made with a fried egg, but this microwave version is designed for busy days when you want to keep cooking as simple as possible.
What You Need
Essential Ingredients
- 1 bowl warm cooked rice
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Optional
- Green onion
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Roasted seaweed (gim)
No cooked rice?
You can use ready-to-eat microwaveable rice instead. In Korea, products such as Hetbahn are a convenient option for quick meals. Simply heat the rice according to the package instructions before making Gyeran Bap.
Before You Start
Use a microwave-safe bowl that is large enough for the eggs and sauce.
If you are using refrigerated leftover rice, heat it until it is warm and soft before starting.
When cooking whole eggs in a microwave, the yolks can build up steam pressure. Always gently pierce each yolk with a fork before heating.
How to Make It
1. Make the sauce.
Add the water, soy sauce, and sesame oil to a microwave-safe bowl and mix well.
2. Add the eggs.
Crack the eggs into the sauce. Gently pierce each yolk once or twice with a fork.
3. Microwave.
Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe cover and microwave on high for about 1 minute 30 seconds.
Carefully remove the bowl and check the eggs. If they are not cooked enough, continue heating in 20–30 second intervals until the egg whites and yolks reach your preferred doneness.
4. Serve over rice.
Place the warm rice in a bowl and spoon the cooked eggs and sauce over the top.
5. Mix and enjoy.
Break the eggs into the rice and mix well. Add green onion, sesame seeds, or roasted seaweed if desired.
Cooking Tip:
Microwave power varies. The cooking time above is a starting point, not an absolute rule. If your microwave is more powerful, check the eggs earlier.
Common Mistakes
Skipping the yolk-piercing step
Whole egg yolks can burst during microwave cooking. Always pierce them before heating.
Overcooking the eggs
Eggs can become dry and rubbery if heated too long. Use short additional intervals.
Adding too much soy sauce
Start with the recommended amount. You can always add more after mixing.
Meal 2 — Microwave Egg & Spam Rice Bowl
If Gyeran Bap is the simplest option, this one is for when you want something more filling.
Egg, Spam, and rice make a simple one-bowl meal with very little preparation. Spam is already cooked, so the microwave is mainly used to heat the ingredients and cook the egg.
What You Need
Essential Ingredients
- 1 bowl warm cooked rice
- 80 g Spam or other luncheon meat
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Optional
- Green onion
- Roasted seaweed
- Sesame seeds
- A little kimchi
Before You Start
Cut the Spam into small pieces so it heats evenly.
Because Spam is already salty, you do not need much soy sauce. Start with a small amount and adjust after cooking.
Use a large microwave-safe bowl so the egg mixture has enough room while cooking.
How to Make It
1. Prepare the rice.
Place the warm rice in a large microwave-safe bowl.
2. Add the egg.
Crack the eggs into the rice. Add the water and gently mix until the rice is coated with the egg.
3. Add the Spam.
Add the diced Spam, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix everything together.
4. Microwave.
Cover loosely with a microwave-safe cover and microwave on high for about 2 minutes.
Carefully remove the bowl and stir well.
Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until the egg is fully cooked.
5. Finish.
Let it stand for about 1 minute, then top with green onion, sesame seeds, roasted seaweed, or a little kimchi if desired.
Cooking Tip:
The key is to stir halfway through cooking. Microwave ovens can heat food unevenly, so stirring helps the egg cook more evenly.
Common Mistakes
Too much soy sauce
Spam already provides plenty of saltiness. Start with less seasoning and adjust after tasting.
Overcooking the egg
Stop heating as soon as the egg is fully cooked. Short additional intervals are better than one long heating cycle.
Using a small bowl
The egg mixture can expand while cooking. A large bowl helps prevent spills and makes stirring easier.
Meal 3 — Microwave Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki (떡볶이) is one of Korea's best-known street foods. It is made with chewy Korean rice cakes and a sweet and spicy sauce.
Traditional tteokbokki is cooked in a pan, but a microwave is a convenient shortcut when you want to make a small portion at home.
What You Need
Essential Ingredients
- 150 g Korean rice cakes (tteok)
- 120 ml water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Optional
- Green onion
- Fish cake
- Boiled egg
- 1 teaspoon gochugaru for extra heat
Before You Start
If your rice cakes are refrigerated and hard, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes, then drain.
If you are using frozen rice cakes, thaw them first and soak them until they soften. Frozen or very hard rice cakes may need more time to become chewy.
Use a large microwave-safe bowl because the sauce can bubble during cooking.
How to Make It
1. Make the sauce.
Add water, gochujang, soy sauce, and sugar to a large microwave-safe bowl. Stir until the gochujang is mostly dissolved.
2. Add the rice cakes.
Add the softened rice cakes and mix well so they are coated with the sauce.
3. Microwave.
Cover loosely with a microwave-safe cover and microwave on high for about 3 minutes.
Carefully remove the bowl and stir.
4. Continue cooking.
Microwave for another 1–2 minutes, then check the rice cakes.
The rice cakes should be soft and chewy, and the sauce should begin to thicken.
If the rice cakes are still firm, continue heating in short intervals until they reach the desired texture.
5. Rest and serve.
Let the tteokbokki rest for about 1 minute. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.
Add green onion, fish cake, or a boiled egg if desired.
Cooking Tip:
Do not worry if the sauce looks slightly thin when you first take it out of the microwave. It will thicken as it rests.
Common Mistakes
Using hard rice cakes
Very cold or frozen rice cakes may remain hard in the center. Soften them before cooking.
Using too little water
The rice cakes need enough liquid to soften while the sauce cooks. If the sauce becomes too thick too early, add a little water.
Heating for too long at once
Short cooking intervals give you better control over the texture and sauce consistency.
Watch the Cooking Video
AI Cooking Video — Coming Soon
A short video showing how to make all three microwave meals will be added here.
Hodong & Tosil
🐰 Tosil: I didn't know Korean food could be this easy!
🐯 Hodong: That's the point. Sometimes a Korean meal can be as simple as warm rice, an egg, and a few seasonings.
Cooking Tips
Start With Warm Rice
Warm rice makes simple rice dishes much better. It mixes easily with the egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Use Ready-to-Eat Rice When You're Busy
You do not have to cook rice from scratch every time. Microwaveable ready-to-eat rice is a practical option for these quick meals.
Microwave Eggs in Short Intervals
Microwave ovens vary in power. Check the food between heating cycles instead of relying on one long cooking time.
Be Careful With Salty Ingredients
Soy sauce and Spam both add saltiness. Start with a small amount of soy sauce and adjust after tasting.
Let Tteokbokki Rest for a Minute
The sauce continues to thicken after heating. A short resting time helps the sauce cling to the rice cakes.
Three Meals, Three Different Flavors
| Meal | Flavor | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeran Bap | Simple, savory, nutty | When you want the easiest possible meal |
| Egg & Spam Rice Bowl | Savory and filling | When you are really hungry |
| Tteokbokki | Sweet, spicy, chewy | When you want a taste of Korean street food |
These three meals show three different sides of everyday Korean food: simple home cooking, a filling one-bowl meal, and Korean street food.
Easy Substitutions
For Gyeran Bap
Use ready-to-eat microwaveable rice instead of freshly cooked rice. Green onion, sesame seeds, and roasted seaweed are optional.
For the Egg & Spam Rice Bowl
You can use another canned luncheon meat or ham if Spam is not available. Because different products have different salt levels, adjust the soy sauce accordingly.
For Tteokbokki
Fish cake, green onion, and boiled egg are optional. If you prefer less spicy food, reduce the amount of gochujang or leave out the gochugaru.
Warm rice makes a simple Korean meal much better.
When you use ready-to-eat rice, heat it until it is properly warm before adding the other ingredients. Warm rice absorbs the seasoning better and gives simple dishes like Gyeran Bap a much better texture.
How to Enjoy It
Gyeran Bap is perfect for breakfast, a quick lunch, or a late-night meal when you want something warm without much work.
Egg & Spam Rice Bowl is a good choice when you want something more filling. Add a little kimchi on the side for a classic Korean-style combination.
Tteokbokki is great as a snack or casual meal. If you are new to Korean food, this is an easy way to experience one of Korea's most recognizable street foods.
Final Bite
Three simple meals. One microwave. Very little preparation.
That is the idea behind Easy Korean Meals for Busy Days.
You do not always need a full kitchen or complicated ingredients to enjoy Korean food.
Sometimes, a warm bowl of rice and a few simple ingredients are all you need.
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