The biggest thing Trader joe’s Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice with Kimchi has going for it is its convenience. You literally open the bag, dump it in a hot non-stick skillet and cook it for 7 minutes. But that’s about all I can say for it.
As someone who makes fried rice a lot — usually my grandma’s version with bacon or Deuki Hong’s Kimchi Fried Rice — this is pretty meh. “Korean-inspired” is being generous. The kimchi in it is basically non-existent, and the beef while grilled (or at least grilled flavored – read the bag), it could be any old beef. And it’s a pretty skimpy amount! Did I mention it also has 1,150 grams of sodium in a one cup serving? Oof! Half your daily recommended amount. I’m not saying I don’t eat other salty stuff, but this isn’t where I’d spend those sodium grams. Pass me that bag of Doritos, please.
You can do better on your own, seriously. Fried rice is all about little bits of this and that. So, even if you’re just tossing together some leftover rice, frozen vegetables, garlic, soy sauce and green onions, it’ll be better than TJ’s version. Or if you’re craving kimchi fried rice, do it up right and make Deuki Hong’s (below!)
Trader Joe’s Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice with Kimchi won’t be a repeat purchase. Trader Joe’s Scallion Pancakes (Pa jeon) remain their best Korean item in the frozen section.
Check out some other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:
Beef en Croute (Beef Tenderloin Wrapped in Puff Pastry)