Trader Joe's new Kimchi Fried Rice

If you don't already know, Trader Joe's is one of my all time favorite grocery stores. Actually, it's really the only one. Even though the store offers less than half the size of most grocery chain stores, I always find something new to add to my regular grocery list. Tonight was no exception.


I'm casually grabbing my regular go-to items, when all of a sudden I stop dead in my tracks.........


What is this I see?? Could it be?


 Trader Joe's now sells kimchi fried rice?? Tell me I'm seeing things-

I couldn't believe it! 


Just in case you're wondering, you can find it in the frozen section with all the other varieties of fried rice. (Along with the kalbi and bibim bap. Their bulgolgi is in the deli meat section.)


I haven't tried it yet, being that I just made some the other night for dinner, but I will let you know the verdict as soon as possible.


Another reason why Trader Joe's is the best.


I think it's great that they're starting to integrate Korean food into the "culture" products they offer. 


A big win in my book.

UPDATE:

I finally popped open the bag and gave it a taste test. I made this for lunch with some bulgolgi on the side. The rice was actually pretty good. I thought it would have a bland taste to it judging my the frozen product, but it was really full of the familiar flavor with that slight kick. It tastes pretty darn close to the kimchi fried rice I make at home from time to time.

This is now always in my freezer as a backup. I like how the ingredients are all natural and with items I can actually understand: rice, kimchi (salted napa cabbage,red pepper powder, sweet rice flour paste, garlic, leek, ginger, salt, shitake mushroom), onion, expeller pressed canola oil, green bell pepper, sugar, salt, naturally brewed soy sauce (water, wheat, soybean, salt), red pepper powder, sesame oil.

The only thing that it lacks are the actual kimchi chunks that are shown on the picture of the bag. This may be good for some that don't really care for the pieces of cabbage, but for those that do like more of the kimchi taste and texture, make sure you have some of your own at home because there's only like 5 or 6 pieces per serving (which the bag has  total of like 2.) Other than that, it's pretty much a win win. Good taste, cheap price, and easy to make.

Trader Joe's Bento Box

  

How cool is this? I was shopping at Trader Joe's for some bibimbap (because some days I'm just too lazy to make it),  and I found this cute vegetable bento box in the freezer section. This store just gets better and better. I like how cultural their slowly becoming. Now I won't have to think about what's for dinner tonight.

Trader Joe's Bibimbap

Look what I found the other day! I couldn't believe my eyes. I swear, I'm falling more and more in love with Trader Joe's. Not only can I find korean kalbi and bulgolgi, but now I have a solution for a quick lunch on the go. The only thing they're missing now is the kimchi. :)

As far as taste goes it still doesn't compare to a nice homemade bibimbap. I found the beansprouts a little over powering and the sauce was more sweet than spicy. But for under $4 can't really complain. The rice is just the right amount and the meat is actually pretty good.

Trader Joe's

So, I’m going to let you in a little secret….

When I cook kalbi everybody LOVES it!! They tell me how good of a girlfriend I am for making it for Anthony, as we eat it together on our lunch break. Sometimes it’s irritating when our other co-workers plop next to us because they always give that hint that they want to try it by saying, “Mmmm.That looks and smells good! What is it??” Of course the natural (and polite) thing to do is offer them a piece, right?? Well….I’m selfish when it comes to good Korean food and I try to avoid sharing at all cost! Hahhaha! (unless I favor that person) I like to have every finger-licking drop to myself! Everyone at work knows I’m a food hog and proud of it!

What would frustrate me even more was if I actually took the time to marinate the kalbi. My precious time put into my meal isn’t so I can freely give it away to other people at my job! Especially when they annoy me half the time…. :P

That’s where my secret comes into play. *dun dun dun*

One of my favorite grocery stores is Trader Joe’s and I go there religiously. I’m actually “practicing” eating organic and range free chicken and beef. The pay is almost double than what you would find at a Wal-Mart or Safeway but well worth it, I’ll tell ya.

If you’ve never been to a Trader Joe’s than you need to get on the ball and GO! In the back section of the store they have a “sample” section where everyday they let you sample food/ juices that they carry. One day, I just happended to glance over there and I saw the word, “Korean” something. Korean?? I thought. What on earth could Trader Joe’s have that is Korean…and on top of that…good? Lol

Well, was I wrong! It just so happened to be kalbi, and man, was it good! They actually sell kalbi?? And it turns out they also sell bulgogi!! I was flabbergasted!

I swooped those up in a heart beat and was on my way home to prepare them!

Now, as far as authenticity, it was pretty darn close! Close enough that I buy it all the time now!! I do add a little more sugar to the bulgogi, however. The kalbi I add sugar as well, but that’s because I like my meat sweet. J

If you have a Trader Joes in your area, I encourage you to check it out!

**Here are some more Korean items I find delicious at Trader Joes*