Kid-Friendly Bibimbap (The Food Lab Junior)

For the Sauce: Combine all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stir together with a fork. Kids (and adults) can taste and smell each of the ingredients as they go in before tasting all of them combined (have some milk on hand in case the gochujang is too spicy for anyone).

For the Toppings: Set up your topping station by putting out bottles and containers of sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic, scallions, and soy sauce on the counter. Set a stack of 6 small bowls on the counter as well.

In a wok or a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a simmer. Add the bean sprouts and cook for 3 minutes. Fish them out with a slotted spoon, run them under cold water until you can handle them easily, then squeeze out excess moisture or spin them dry in a salad spinner (either of these is a great activity for kids). Place them in one of the small bowls.

Add the spinach to the simmering water and cook for 1 minute. Repeat the draining, cooling, and squeezing process and place the spinach in a second bowl.

Empty out the wok, and return it to medium-high heat, allowing it to dry fully. Add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil and heat until shimmering, then add the carrots and stir-fry until heated through and lightly softened, about 1 minute. Transfer to a third small bowl.

Return the wok to medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons sesame oil and heat until shimmering, then add the cucumber and stir-fry until heated through and lightly softened, about 1 minute. Transfer to a fourth small bowl.

Return the wok to medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of sesame oil and heat until shimmering, then add the mushrooms and stir-fry until lightly browned , about 3 minutes. Transfer to a fifth small bowl.

Season the beef with 2 teaspoons soy sauce, 2 teaspoons honey, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, some minced garlic (if using), and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Return the wok to medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons sesame oil and heat until shimmering, then add the beef and stir-fry until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a sixth small bowl.

Now season all of the vegetables to taste with about 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, a dash of soy sauce, and some minced garlic and/or scallions. Make sure you and your helpers mix thoroughly (I like to use clean fingers) and taste as you go.

To Serve: Serve steamed rice in individual bowls at the table, allowing diners to pick and choose their toppings, and finishing off each bowl with a fried egg or a raw egg yolk (if desired), and a drizzle of as much or as little sauce as you’d like (even if that’s none). Mix it all up, or eat it all separately: It’s your food, you decide.