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Itโs time for Korea to meet Italy to meet Mexicoโฆ

Okay, well not really, but food wise, it is. Korean beef with Italian pasta and Mexican toppings. YES.
I am all about Korean fusion food, and guys, this pasta is up there with some of my favorite recipes, like itโs SO good. So good that even some of the pickier eaters in my family raved about this pasta. Of course they ate it minus the kimchi cause they donโt eat โcolorful foodโ, but still everyone loved this.
Okay, so lots of things to report today!
I cannot believe I havenโt mentioned this, but half of my family is actually in South Korea right now. I know, big thing to leave you all in the dark about, but I dunno it just never came up. My younger brother Red is completing in a World Cup, Olympic trial ย (the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held there). Seeing as he is only fifteen, he needed a parent to travel with him this time. So both my parents, along with little Asher, headed around the world. I havenโt really chatted with them since they left, but man, they better be trying ALL THE KOREAN FOOD. I want photos, ideas and detailsโฆ of like everything they ate.
So hopefully, this pasta is just the start of a Korean kick for meโฆ

Iโm thinkingย there could be many more Korean recipes to come, which excites me greatly.
Obviously.
I also feel like I need to mention that on Saturday the familyโs โGroup Meโ (a group texting app we use to keep us all in touch) messages were going off like crazyโฆ and somehow I missed them all! Apparently there was a live stream of the competition Red was competing atย in Sweden (yeah I guess I forgot to tell you that too, there was a 3 day stop in Sweden first) and Red was KILLING it. For a while he was in first place and holding his own against grown men. Then the last two competitors bumped him down into third, but still he KILLED it and my family was going crazy.
I also missed watching Red have to eat some kind of Caviar Chocolate Ball. If you know Red than you know he DOES not try new things. Especially new things that have the word caviar in them. All I know was that he had no idea what to do with himself after he took a bite, and that it was down right comical.
When I saw all these texts I was SO bummed I missed it all. I mean, Red eating caviar??? And a Caviar Chocolate Ball to boot?? Like please, someone tell me what the heck that is?? Is it what I am thinking it is??
Googled it. Still do not understand fully what it is, but man, it looks pretty good. Ugh. Help. My mind is wandering. Should I experiment with caviar desserts?? It canโt really be like real caviarโฆcan it?
Apparently there was champagne spraying on the podium as well. Seeing as Red is only 15, a quick lesson on how to open a bottle of champagne was needed, but his friend and mentor Roope helped him out.

Ok, SORRY, didnโt mean to get so off topic, but I just had to share.
Seriously though, I wanna know what you guys know about these chocolate caviar balls. TELL ME.

On to thisย Korean braised short rib and kimchi pasta. Itโs mostly all about the Korean flavors, but then there is the pastaโฆand then the queso fresco. Complete fusion food at its best.
The short ribs are the star here though. The Korean sauce that the ribs are braised in is honestly one of my favorites. Every time I make this sauce, my dad says the same thing, โthat sauce isย incredible, better than any restaurantโ. It has so much flavor and it pairs so nicely with the beefy flavor of the short ribs.
The whole meal is actually very simple. Just braise the ribs in the Korean inspired sauce, toss the meat with the hot pasta and top with kimchi, soft-boiled eggs, avocado and a sprinkle of queso fresco.
I know it may sound weird, but you guys, can you just trust me on this one? I promise this is such a delicious meal. And one that everyone will loveโฆ for real.

Oh, and about the kimchi. I make my own superfood version with cabbage, kale, carrots, etc. Itโs actually so easy to make and I highly recommend giving it a try. However, you do need to make it at LEAST a day in advance, preferably 2-3 days. The longer the kimchi ferments, the more flavor it will have.
If youโre not into making your own kimchi, store-bought will be great too!
Double OH, you donโt have to add all the toppings I added. You guys know I love my toppingsโฆespecially that soft-boiled eggโฆand that avocadoโฆand of course the cheese. Ok wait, maybe you do have to add all the toppings.
Toppings for the win (totally just spelled win as wineโฆ Monday. UGH)! ๐

Korean Braised Short Rib and Kimchi Pasta.

Ingredients
- 5 pounds beef short ribs
- 1 inch knob of fresh ginger, peeled + grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Gochujang , Korean chile paste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2-3 cups water
- 1 pound of your favorite short cut pasta
- kimchi, homemade or store-bought (see recipe below)
- 4 soft-boiled eggs, optional
- fresh basil, cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, sliced avocado + toasted sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.*
- Heat a large heavy bottom dutch oven over medium high-heat. Add the ribs to the skillet and sprinkle with salt + pepper. Sear the ribs on all sides for about 1 minute per side.
- In a small bowl, stir together the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, Gochujang (Korean chile paste), rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey and 1 cup water. Pour the sauce over the short ribs. Add another 1-2 cups water to cover the ribs. Cover and place in the oven, cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the meat shreds easily. Check once or twice while the ribs are cooking to make sure there is enough liquid. If needed, add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of water to keep the ribs in liquid about 1/3 way up the pot.
- Once the ribs are cooked, remove them from the pot and place on a plate to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and toss with either a little olive oil or butter.
- Once the beef is cool enough to handle, shred the meat and discard any bones and fatty pieces. Return the meat to the sauce and toss well to combine. Place the pot on the stove and set over low heat to warm through. Add the pasta + 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro to the sauce and toss well to coat. If needed, add water, 1/4 cup at a time to thin the sauce out.
- Divide the pasta among plates or bowls. Toss with kimchi. Then top with eggs, fresh basil + cilantro, avocado and sesame seeds. EAT!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Simple Homemade Kimchi.

Ingredients
- 1 head Napa cabbage, shredded
- 1 bunch Tuscan kale, shredded (finely sliced)
- 1 granny smith apple are green pear, sliced into matchsticks
- 2 carrots, shredded
- 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons Gochujang, Korean chile paste
- 3 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and toss well to combine, making sure the seasonings evenly coat all of the veggies and fruits. Grab two large glass jars and pack the kimchi into the jars tightly. Add water until the kimchi is mostly covered, about 2-3 cups.
- Shake well and store in a cool, dark place for at least 1 day, but preferably 2-3 days.
- Open the jars and taste your kimchi and adjust for seasonings, add honey or maple if needed to sweeten.
- Store in the refrigerator after opening for several weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

Monday + short ribs + pasta = kicking Monday in the butt ๐

























If the total time for completion could be updated to include the short ribs cook time thatโd be very helpful. This takes much longer than 30 minutes.
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Audra! Yes, that definitely doesn’t make sense, sorry for any confusion!
This was delicious! I did the crockpot version and it couldn’t have been easier to prep and throw together. The kimchi cut through the richness of the short ribs nicely! I am trying live a low-carb life so I served it with cauliflower rice and I was not sad about it. I would definitely make this again!
Hey Alexis,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This recipe is KILLER. My husband and I could only groan with delight when we first tasted it. The eggs are NOT optional I swear they make it divine. The kimchi, I pass on. The kind I have is way too spicy and strong (possibly overripe) and overpowered the dish. We eat this with rice noodles (pad Thai style cut) because itโs what I had and itโs great.
I am so glad you and your husband loved this Kara! Thank you so much!
I have never tasted Korean cuisine, like kimchi. Seeing it makes me want to eat it ๐ Around me there are many Korean restaurants but I do not know if it will taste the same as the original kimchi
I hope you get to try it soon! Thank you!
I made this today for dinner (minus the kimchi – I was going to get store bought but neither kids or hubs would eat it so I skipped it). It was delicious! I’m a trained chef and have worked in restaurants and catering for years so I hardly ever follow recipes but, decided to try this one. It is a keeper! The whole family loved it. Thanks for sharing!
It can certainly be made with a chunk roast as well. Yummy!
So, so, SO happy you loved it! Thanks Kathy!
Japchae is my favorite type of Korean noodle dish. It’s delicious! This looks fantastic!!
I’m a newbie to kimchi but I always like recipes like this! // โฒ conundrumofcoitus.com โฒ
Re: pasta, I bet buckwheat noodles would be a good option
Wow Tieghan! That’s some news! Congrats to Red – I’ll be looking for him in the Olympics! Never tried Kimchi but have been so tempted, maybe nows the time! Love the flavor combos going on in this dish!
Korean food is my fave! I am a major gochujang addict. I’m glad more people are using it now! I’m definitely all about the fusion so I can’t wait to try this out!