Ingredients
1 English cucumber, cut into matchsticks
¼ cup gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) (Optional)
1 bunch fresh spinach, cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 pound thinly-sliced beef top round steak
4 large eggs
4 cups cooked white rice
4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, divided
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste), divided (Optional)
Instructions
Stir together cucumber pieces and gochujang paste in a bowl.
Bring about 2 cups water to a boil in a large nonstick skillet and stir in spinach; cook until bright green and wilted. Drain spinach and squeeze out as much moisture as possible; set spinach aside in a bowl and stir in soy sauce..
Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet; cook and stir carrots until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook just until fragrant. Stir in cucumber mixture; sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Brown beef in a clean nonstick skillet over medium heat, about 5 minutes per side; set aside.
Heat remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil in another nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Fry eggs just on one side until yolks are runny, but whites are firm, 2 to 4 minutes.
Divide cooked rice into 4 large serving bowls; top with spinach mixture, a few pieces of beef, and cucumber mixture. Place 1 egg atop each serving. Drizzle each bowl with 1 teaspoon sesame oil, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a small amount of gochujang paste if desired.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Gochujang is a fermented Korean red pepper paste that adds deep umami heat — use it sparingly if you prefer mild spice, or leave it out entirely for a kid-friendly bowl.
- English cucumbers have thin, tender skin and fewer seeds than regular cucumbers, making them ideal for quick pickling and raw preparations like this gochujang-tossed topping.
- Beef top round is a lean cut that becomes wonderfully tender when sliced thin and quickly pan-seared — ask your butcher to slice it for you to save prep time.
- Toasted sesame oil is a finishing oil with a rich, nutty aroma — it should be added at the end rather than used for cooking to preserve its distinctive flavor.
- Fresh spinach wilts down dramatically when blanched, so the full bunch yields just the right amount of greens to balance the other toppings in each bowl.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides a well-rounded macronutrient profile with lean protein from beef and eggs, complex carbohydrates from white rice, and healthy fats from sesame oil and olive oil.
- Spinach contributes significant vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, and iron, making this bowl a surprisingly nutrient-dense meal despite its simplicity.
- Eggs add high-quality complete protein and are one of the few dietary sources of choline, which supports brain health and liver function.
- Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A that supports eye health and immune function, adding both color and nutrition to the bowl.
- Gochujang contains capsaicin from Korean chili peppers, which research suggests may support metabolism and has antioxidant properties.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories620
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat22 g72 g30.56%
- Saturated Fat6 g20 g30%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat10 g
- Cholesterol265 mg300 mg88.33%
- Sodium680 mg2300 mg29.57%
- Total Carbohydrate65 g275 g23.64%
- Dietary Fiber4 g28 g14.29%
- Total Sugars6 g
- Added Sugars1 g50 g2%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein38 g50 g76%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)60 mcg20 mcg300%
- Calcium130 mg1300 mg10%
- Iron6 mg18 mg33.33%
- Potassium780 mg4700 mg16.6%
- Vitamin A6200 mcg900 mcg688.89%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)18 mg90 mg20%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)3 mg15 mg20%
- Vitamin K280 mcg120 mcg233.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.55 mg1.3 mg42.31%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)8 mg16 mg50%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.7 mg1.7 mg41.18%
- Folate120 mcg400 mcg30%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)2.1 mcg2.4 mcg87.5%
- Biotin14 mcg30 mcg46.67%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.8 mg5 mg36%
- Choline210 mg550 mg38.18%
- Phosphorus420 mg1250 mg33.6%
- Iodine18 mcg150 mcg12%
- Magnesium70 mg420 mg16.67%
- Zinc5.5 mg11 mg50%
- Selenium38 mcg55 mcg69.09%
- Copper0.3 mg0.9 mg33.33%
- Manganese1.8 mg2.3 mg78.26%
- Chromium8 mcg35 mcg22.86%
- Molybdenum18 mcg45 mcg40%
- Chloride320 mg2300 mg13.91%
