These Korean Loaded Fries are a fun and tasty variation of nachos bursting with Korean flavours. Crinkle cut fries are topped with Korean-style bulgogi ground beef, chopped kimchi and gochujang sour cream for most appetizing fusion!
What are loaded fries?
"Loaded fries" is basically a riff on nachos, using fries instead of tortilla chips and piling on various toppings such as shredded cheese, meat, sour cream.
In the United States, the term "disco fries" can refer to a similar dish, originating in New Jersey and commonly served in diners.
What is poutine?
Poutine is a French Canadian (Quebecois) dish of fries with fresh (squeaky) cheese curds topped with hot brown gravy.
What are cheese fries?
Cheese fries also consist of fries topped with cheese, but it's typically a (nacho) cheese sauce that is used.
Toppings such as chili meat and bacon bits may be added (chili cheese fries) and many variations now exist.
What's the difference between loaded fries and poutine?
The main difference is that poutine uses dense, squeaky cheese curds rather than shredded cheese.
What is bulgogi?
Bulgogi literally means "fire meat" in Korean and is a staple dish of grilled or barbecued marinated thinly sliced meat.
The meat has a savory and sweet taste and flavour.
Traditionally, thin cuts of rib eye, sirloin and brisket are used.
Why you'll love this recipe
This delicious Korean-inspired recipe is super easy to put together.
Using bulgogi ground beef is an economical (budget-friendly) and accessible way to add flavour to the fries.
You can easily omit the beef for a meat-free option.
Customize the fries by adding or omitting any of the toppings to your preference.
The fries are loaded with lots of delicious Korean flavours from the bulgogi beef, kimchi and gochujang sour cream.
Ingredients you'll need
- French fries: you can use store-bought fries (I used crinkle-cut), or you can make your own
- bulgogi ground beef: seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, pepper, garlic powder, sesame oil and sesame seeds
- toppings:
- kimchi: Korean side dish consisting of salted and fermented vegetables, used in Kimchi Grilled Cheese, Kimchi Fried Rice
- mozzarella cheese: you can use cheddar cheese, a cheese sauce (queso) or any cheese that you like; optional
- tomato: diced
- avocado: diced; optional
- red chili pepper: sliced; you can omit if you don't like spicy
- green onion/scallions: chopped
- cilantro: chopped; optional
- gochujang sour cream: Korean red chili pepper paste (gochujang) mixed with sour cream
How to make the loaded fries
Prepare the French fries according to the package instructions.
You can either bake or deep fry the fries until crisp and golden brown.
Cook the bulgogi ground beef
Heat a large skillet or frying pan over high heat.
Add in the ground beef, onions and garlic and cook until the beef is no longer pink.
In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
Pour the sauce over the beef and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring to incorporate.
Remove from heat and sprinkle in sesame seeds (optional) and green onions/scallions.
Make the gochujang sour cream
In a small bowl, combine gochujang with 1-2 teaspoon of hot water and ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar.
Stir with a spoon until the gochujang loosens up and the sugar has dissolved.
Combine with the sour cream and give it a stir.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
Place into the fridge until ready to use.
Assemble
Preheat oven to 350F.
Place the crisp French fries onto a baking sheet.
Lay on the bulgogi beef and mozzarella cheese.
Place the baking sheet into the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
Remove the tray from the oven.
Garnish with diced tomato, avocado, kimchi, chili pepper, green onion, cilantro and gochujang sour cream, to your liking.
Serve immediately.
How to store & serve
The Korean Loaded Fries should be served and enjoyed immediately.
After a period of time, the fries will lose their crispness.
To prepare ahead of time:
You can prepare the bulgogi beef and all the toppings ahead of time and keep them separately in the fridge.
Bake or deep fry the fries when you're about ready to serve and then assemble.
Serve the fries as a side/appetizer along with:
Baked Turkey & Black Bean Taquitos (Rolled Tortillas)
Or enjoy them on their own!
FAQs & expert tips
Tip: If baking the fries: bake them for a little longer so that they remain crisp when serving.
Is kimchi spicy?
Kimchi can range in spiciness from mild to spicy -- if you're new to kimchi, start with a mild one and use a few tablespoons.
Note: the dairy from the cheese and sour cream will temper its overall spiciness.
What type of oil should I use to fry the French fries?
If deep-frying the fries, use a high-smoke point oil such as peanut, grapeseed or canola oil.
Can I make a larger batch?
Absolutely, double up the batch to feed a crowd.
Can I use tater tots instead?
Yes, you can use Tater Tots, potato wedges, shoestring fries, or even chips -- anything you like.
Can I use an air fryer to make the fries?
You can use an air fryer to heat up the fries, according to your manufacturer's instructions.
Other Korean-inspired recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Quick and Easy Kimchi Grilled Cheese
Easy Korean Beef Tacos (Instant Pot)
Spicy Gochujang Eggs in Purgatory
Spicy Korean Tofu in Gochujang Sauce (Dubu Jorim)
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Korean Loaded Fries With Bulgogi Beef & Kimchi
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 500 g French fries cooked according to package directions
- ½ lb bulgogi ground beef
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce to your taste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar or brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
Toppings:
- ¼ C kimchi drained and chopped
- 1 C mozzarella cheese (or any cheese you like) shredded
- 1 tomato diced
- ½ avocado diced
- 1 red chili pepper sliced
- 1 green onion chopped
Gochujang sour cream:
- 1 tablespoon gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
- ¼ C sour cream full-fat
Instructions
For the fries:
- Prepare the French fries according to the package instructions.
- You can either bake or deep fry the fries until crisp and golden brown.
Cook the bulgogi ground beef:
- Heat a large skillet or frying pan over high heat.
- Add in the ground beef, onions and garlic and cook until the beef is no longer pink.
- In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring to incorporate.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle in sesame seeds (optional) and green onions/scallions.
Make the gochujang sour cream:
- In a small bowl, combine gochujang with 1-2 teaspoon of hot water and ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar.
- Stir with a spoon until the gochujang loosens up and the sugar has dissolved.
- Combine with the sour cream and give it a stir.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Place into the fridge until ready to use.
Assemble:
- Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.
- Place the crisp French fries onto a baking sheet.
- Lay on the bulgogi beef and mozzarella cheese.
- Place the baking sheet into the oven for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
- Remove the tray from the oven.
- Garnish with diced tomato, avocado, kimchi, chili pepper, green onion, cilantro and gochujang sour cream, to your liking.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
David @ Spiced
What a fun twist on loaded fries! I do love fries, and the bulgogi + kimchi twist sounds amazing. This is the ultimate weekend comfort food!
Kim | Give it Some Thyme
Love your amazing ability to combine cultural favorites into one dish. Fries have been forever a weakness of mine and this recipe just made it more so in a great way! Over the top delicious, Michelle!
Casey
Mmmm! What an amazing twist on a classic! I can't wait to make this for game day! Such a delicious way to change it up!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Such a great idea for a casual dinner. I love bulgogi beef so I can see myself making this recipe a lot!
Raymund | angsarap.net
That definitely is loaded, all I need is an ice cold beer with it
Sue
This is brilliant, I love bulgogi beef!
Jess
Yessss! This is delish! So fun to make too!