Sometimes the simplest dishes are the most surprising. This minced beef one pot rice looks unassuming, but it only takes one ingredient to elevate it from everyday comfort food to something truly luxurious. That ingredient? Truffle oil. If you have a bottle tucked away in your pantry, you absolutely need to try this.
I first fell in love with this combination at my friend’s mom’s restaurant in Seoul, where she makes sotbap (pot rice with different toppings). Everything there is delicious, but last month, I tried a new menu item I’d never seen before: it was essentially beef bulgogi, but with butter and a drizzle of truffle oil. I was blown away. The flavors just work.
Since I couldn’t find the right cut of beef for bulgogi here in Singapore, I adapted the recipe using minced beef, and the result is still amazing. The butter gives it richness, the sauce is savory and slightly sweet, and the truffle oil? That’s the magic. It’s optional, but honestly, it’s what makes this dish shine. That said, even without it, this one pot rice is still incredibly tasty.
Here’s how you can make it at home.
Rinse the rice and add it to a claypot or a medium-sized heavy pot. Add equal parts water (1:1 ratio) along with the beef bouillon, and mix well. Bring it to a boil (about 7–8 minutes), then cover and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook covered for 10 minutes.
While the rice is cooking, heat a skillet and add half the butter and the olive oil. Stir-fry the minced beef with the sauce until browned. Don’t cook until the liquid is completely reduced! You want the sauce to flavor the rice later.
After the rice has cooked for 10 minutes, remove the lid and add the beef. Cover again and let it rest for another 10 minutes.
Remove the lid. Sprinkle in the green onions, add the remaining butter, the egg yolk, and drizzle with truffle oil. Mix everything well and enjoy!
Truffle oil is optional, but it’s what makes this recipe stand out. Even without it, the beef, butter, and sauce combination is rich, savory, and comforting.
Serve hot straight from the pot for that authentic sotbap experience.