Kimchi Carbonara

a ceramic bowl filled with pasta, sesame seeds and scallions

4.93 from 14 votes

This 20-minute wonder is my go-to for a quick Asian fusion dinner! If you love tangy, spicy kimchi you'll love this buttery kimchi carbonara!

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Course: dinner

Cuisine: Italian, Korean

Servings:

Calories: 686kcal

Author: Leigh Anderson

Ingredients

1/2 lb spaghetti or bucatini
1 c kimchi plus 3 Tbsp. juice from jar
2 egg yolks
4 tbsp butter, cold
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
2 scallions thinly slices
1 tsp gochujang Korean chili paste optional

Instructions

In a food processor pulse the kimchi and juice, until finely chopped. Place the chopped kimchi into a large mixing bowl with the egg yolks, butter and gochujang (optional). Whisk to combine.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Before draining, reserve 1/2c pasta water. Leave the empty pot on the stove to finish cooking the pasta in later.
Add the cooked pasta and pasta water to the mixing bowl with the kimchi, eggs, and butter. Toss to coat then transfer back into the pot on the stove.
Over low heat stir the pasta and kimchi sauce together until the butter is melted and the sauce thickens and coats the pasta. Turn off the heat. Divide between bowls, top each bowl with scallion and sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine It's a super flavorful fermented cabbage seasoned with a variety of ingredients like scallion, garlic, Korean chilis, ginger, fish sauce and others. Kimchi is now available in most supermarkets. You can typically find it in refrigerated section next to the tofu.
Spaghetti: you can use any long, thin pasta like bucatini, fettuccini or pappardelle.
Gochujang: Gochujang is a sweet and spicy Korean chili paste. This ingredient is totally optional.

Reheating Instructions:

Kimchi Carbonara will stay fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator. To reheat either microwave or on the stovetop in a saute pan over medium-low heat with a splash of water.

Nutrition