Ssambap (Korean Mixed Rice Bowl)

Step 1

Pat the sliced beef dry with paper towels, pressing gently to remove excess moisture—this helps it brown evenly and taste better.

Step 2

In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and all the minced garlic—stir until uniform with a spoon.

Step 3

Place the carrot matchsticks and scallion pieces in separate small bowls, ready to use.

Step 4

Place a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and wait 1 minute until the surface looks dry.

Step 5

Add half the sliced beef to the skillet in a single layer, letting each piece sit without moving for 2 minutes so it browns deeply.

Step 6

Stir once and cook another 30 seconds until no pink remains visible on the edges, then transfer the beef to a clean plate.

Step 7

Return the skillet to medium-high heat, add the remaining beef, and repeat the same browning process (sit 2 minutes, stir once, cook 30 seconds).

Step 8

Return all cooked beef to the skillet and pour in the soy-garlic mixture, stirring for 15 seconds until every piece is coated and smells strongly of garlic.

Step 9

Transfer the beef to a bowl and set aside; do not rinse the skillet.

Step 10

Lower the heat to medium, add 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil to the skillet, then crack both eggs directly into the pan.

Step 11

Cook without moving the eggs for 3 minutes, watching until the whites turn opaque and the yolk jiggling slows to a gentle wobble—the bottom will be crispy and golden.

Step 12

Divide the warm rice evenly between two bowls, mounding it in the center of each.

Step 13

Arrange 4 lettuce leaves around the rice in each bowl, propping them against the mound.

Step 14

Top each rice mound with half the cooked beef, then slide one fried egg onto the surface of the rice.

Step 15

Scatter half the carrot matchsticks and half the scallion pieces over each bowl in separate small mounds.

Step 16

Place both bowls at the table with extra lettuce leaves on a side plate; each diner wraps rice and toppings in a leaf and eats with their hands.