Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls

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From dark green spinach to shredded red cabbage, these plant-based bibimbap bowls offer plenty of powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. This delicious combo delivers plenty of vegetables and a wonderful balance of textures and flavors. They’re topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg and a tangy mayonnaise-based drizzle that adds richness and a satisfying creamy element to the dish.

Anti-Inflammatory Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls image
Credit:

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

Active Time:
50 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
4
  • The cabbage in these veggie bowls has cancer-fighting compounds and antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
  • Earthy shiitake mushrooms bring a deeply savory, umami flavor you’ll love.
  • Pickling vegetables with rice vinegar in advance enhances flavors and adds a delicious twist.

These vibrant plant-based Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls are packed with veggies and whole grains that provide a wealth of anti-inflammatory benefits and are so satisfying, you won’t miss the meat that’s typically in the popular Korean rice dish. We rely on the bold flavor of shiitake mushrooms to provide that deeply savory, umami flavor, plus you still get plenty of protein, with each bowl topped with a perfectly fried egg. Once you see how easy (and delicious!) this bowl can be, you’ll find yourself coming back to it time and time again. Check out our expert tips and tricks below and discover new ways to make this versatile dish your own. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

  • To make the pickles, the vegetables need to be fully submerged in the rice vinegar. Combine the veggies and rice vinegar in a nonreactive bowl (like glass or ceramic) and cover the bowl loosely with plastic wrap. Place a smaller bowl or plate over the plastic wrap to rest on top of the mixture to help fully submerge the veggies. You can use kimchi instead of pickled veggies, but keep in mind that it will add sodium to the dish.
  • We love a firm egg white and a soft, runny yolk for this bowl. If you prefer a harder yolk, cover and cook the eggs 1 to 2 minutes longer than directed.
  • We love earthy shiitake mushrooms, but any of your favorite mushrooms will work well here. To save on prep time, you can buy pre-sliced mushrooms.
  • You can make your rice with our Easy Brown Rice recipe, or use any leftover rice you may have on hand. Just reheat it in the microwave right before you’re ready to assemble the bowls so it stays hot. 

Nutrition Notes

  • Cabbage could be one of the most underrated vegetables around, thanks to its cancer-fighting compounds such as glucosinolates and sulforaphane. Antioxidants in cabbage, like vitamin C and anthocyanins, may also help reduce inflammation.
  • Carrots get their stunning orange hue from beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant that the body converts to vitamin A. In addition to supporting eye health, beta carotene helps fight inflammation and keeps your immune system strong.
  • If you’re looking for a dark, leafy green, spinach is an outstanding choice. This tasty green veggie is one of the best sources of vitamin K, which keeps your bones strong and dense.
  • Mushrooms boast prebiotic fibers that provide food for the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. That’s not just a win for digestive health. Good gut bacteria have also been linked to better heart health, a stronger immune system and a healthier body weight.
Anti-Inflammatory Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls image

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 cup rice vinegar plus 2 tablespoons, divided

  • 1 medium Persian cucumber, cut into matchsticks (about ¾ cup)

  • ¾ cup shredded red cabbage

  • ¾ cup matchstick carrots

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons gochujang

  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided

  • 3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado, divided

  • 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced (about cups)

  • 1 (10-ounce) package baby spinach

  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • ¼ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2⅔ cups cooked long-grain brown rice

  • 1⅓ cups frozen shelled edamame, cooked according to package directions

  • Thinly sliced scallions for garnish (optional)

  • Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine 1 cup vinegar, cucumber matchsticks and ¾ cup each cabbage and carrots in a medium bowl, pressing down to fully submerge the vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 week; strain and discard the liquid.

    Anti-Inflammatory Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls image

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  2. Meanwhile, whisk ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons gochujang, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1 minced garlic clove together in a small bowl until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 4 days.

  3. Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 7 minutes. Add the remaining 3 minced garlic cloves; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Gradually add 10 ounces spinach, stirring constantly; cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a medium heatproof bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ⅛ teaspoon salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar until evenly coated. Wipe the skillet clean.

    Anti-Inflammatory Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls image

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  4. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil in the skillet over medium-low heat. Carefully crack 4 eggs into the pan, leaving space between them. Sprinkle the eggs with the remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the whites are beginning to set, about 2 minutes. Uncover and cook until the whites are completely set and the yolks are still runny, about 1 minute, 30 seconds.

    Anti-Inflammatory Bibimbap-Inspired Veggie Bowls image

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

  5. Divide 2⅔ cups rice among 4 bowls. Top with 1⅓ cups edamame, pickled vegetables, mushroom mixture and eggs; drizzle with the mayonnaise mixture. Garnish with scallions and/or sesame seeds, if desired.

To make ahead

The pickled vegetables (Step 1) can be made up to 1 week ahead; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sauce (Step 2) can be made up to 4 days ahead; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also cook the rice a day ahead of time and reheat it in the microwave, or use microwaveable cooked brown rice instead to save time.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is bibimbap?

    Bibimpap, a popular Korean dish, translates to “mixed rice” and perfectly captures how the dish is meant to to be eaten: toppings such as sautéed or marinated veggies, meat, tofu and/or a fried egg are all combined with the rice at the base of the bowl before enjoying.

  • Is bibimbap healthy?

    Yes! This bibimbap recipe serves up plenty of vegetables with anti-inflammatory benefits and uses brown rice at the base for a healthy dose of fiber. We make our own pickled vegetables for the topping, which also helps keep sodium in check.

EatingWell.com, December 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

673 Calories
48g Fat
46g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 bowl
Calories 673
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 8g 30%
Total Sugars 8g
Added Sugars 4g 8%
Protein 16g 33%
Total Fat 48g 62%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 199mg 66%
Vitamin A 677µg
Vitamin C 29mg 32%
Vitamin D 1µg
Vitamin E 6mg 38%
Folate 251µg
Vitamin K 427µg
Sodium 731mg 32%
Calcium 164mg 13%
Iron 5mg 27%
Magnesium 156mg 37%
Potassium 1018mg 22%
Zinc 3mg 26%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 3g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Alex Loh
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Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.
and
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.