A bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich is a classic morning dish that can be easily tailored. Why not elevate your meal with creative elements that delight your taste buds even further? Ji Hye Kim, chef and proprietor of Miss Kim in Ann Arbor, Michigan, shared insights with Mashed about the vibrant complexity kimchi brings to the morning meal. Kimchi, a flexible blend of fermented vegetables with origins in Korean culinary traditions, has the ability to enhance a range of dishes such as rice bowls, dumplings, ramen, and, of course, sandwiches.
Chef Kim underscores how kimchi’s distinctive umami quality can rejuvenate the cherished breakfast favorite. “Incorporate spicy cucumber kimchi or napa kimchi,” Kim recommends. A classic spicy cucumber kimchi preparation involves sliced cucumbers steeped in vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, gochugaru, and sugar. Alternatively, a straightforward homemade napa kimchi recipe includes napa cabbage, garlic, ginger, gochugaru, and scallions. “Kimchi typically features a touch of anchovy fish sauce, which pairs brilliantly with pork,” Kim clarifies. Fish sauce adds a subtle maritime richness that significantly enhances the bacon’s salty, smoky characteristics and the cheese’s creaminess.
Kimchi elevates your substantial breakfast sandwich
While bacon and cheese are quintessential comfort foods that evoke feelings of warmth and contentment, their heaviness can sometimes be excessive. Enter kimchi, a delightful side that brings a wave of zesty freshness. Its vibrant acidity enlivens every bite—similar to how a splash of tangy lemon enhances a perfectly fried piece of fish. In addition, kimchi delivers a mild, peppery warmth that dances on the tongue, largely due to the inclusion of gochugaru, a flaky Korean chili powder that is both smoky and fruity in flavor.
Apart from its spicy, sour, and umami attributes, kimchi contributes a textural contrast to bacon and cheese breakfast sandwiches. Its “pleasing crunch,” as Ji Hye Kim aptly describes it, strikes a delightful balance between the chewy, crispy bacon; gooey, melted cheese; and toasted bread, creating a more dynamic dining experience. Kimchi transforms the simplest breakfast sandwich into a multilayered, uncomplicated yet refined way to start your day.
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