I dunno -- I have become enraptured of his dulcet tones telling us what we ought to learn about what he's doing. It's kind of a shock for me to have no monologue teaching me more than what I see. Also: A Dad who has painted nails is a Girl Dad for sure. That's just sweetness.
Kenji: “Late night vid - can’t commentate so i don’t disturb the wife and kiddos!” also Kenji: _uses industrial butane torch with the sound of a jet engine to make fried rice_
Stir frying in a wok will be way louder than a butane torch can be. At least he's not smacking and scraping the wok with a metal shovel like they do in the restaurants!
Gotta love Kenji's "late night" videos. He's so considerate not to talk, to be quiet not to wake his family. Then dude goes and lights a TORCH to finish fried rice more quickly. God bless this man.
I remember the old days when Kenji used to do late night videos on the side during the serious eats days. Super relaxed with the occasional beer sip. These videos take me back to simpler times.
There are restaurants in Korea that actually have a faucet-like thing on the stove but instead of water, it shoots out fire - simultaneously cooking the wok from below and getting the char on top. I have used a similar blow torch technique to get that wok-heyyyy BBY. Blow torch cooking is actually very popular in Korea, especially for street food. Char and smoke is just another flavor component to level-up the taste. Also, I do enjoy cooking the kimchi in oil or that fat from the pork, to me it is a critical step. Old kimchee and hot pork fat creates magic. Kenji did do the pro move of adding some brine to add bright acidity and sweetness. Another pro-tip, keep portions of par-cooked white rice (just slightly under al dente) portioned in the freezer - perfect for weeknight fried rice dishes. It can go straight from the freezer into the hot wok, just try to freeze the rice flat, not like a ball. It will be easier to cook with that way. I hope more people eat kimchi fried rice.
Love watching these videos because they're surprisingly engaging.Without the commentary you try to identify each ingredient and technique that he uses and recreate the dish in your head.
These late night cooking vids are such a vibe. Reminds me of when my dad would come home drunk at 4am from work and make food for himself except he made instant noodles all the time.
Love the idea of using the hand torch to ignite the oil particles and simulate the wok-ay effect you get with high powered restaurant wok setups. Will have to try that myself. Brilliant!
@@newlin83 It's not impractical at all. I've used one for years. I roasted a chicken the other day and prepared the stuffing by stir-frying it in the wok with butter, then stuffed it into the bird to finish cooking. I also use the wok to cook diced apples, brown sugar etc. for apple muffins. Woks have a large capacity and stirring is easier because they have no corners.
@@newlin83 there are quite literally billions of people using woks regularly without access to a commercial high heat burner. you're definitely correct that home cooking and commercial cooking are different, for sure, especially when it comes to something like high heat wok cooking. at the end of the day, it's still essentially a round pot though. it's a different story using the huge commercial woks because those definitely wouldn't heat up enough in a normal home kitchen. I don't see a problem with elevating home cooking with innovation, regardless; especially late at night when most places are gonna be closed and you're kenji with a fridge full of food lol.
@@newlin83 I just find it weird that it has to follow your personal idea of what “home cooking” is supposed to be. I figure that’s a matter of opinion, other than the study you’re referencing, but that doesn’t seem to be the main point of your argument.
This was such a great way to show this dish. You watch someone talk through egg fried rice sometimes and it seems so over done. It's a really simple dish and I love watching Kenji just futz about and get it done.
Relatively new subscriber so this is the first "late-night" video I've seen; I'm mesmerized. It feels like I've been given secret access to the inner workings of Kenji's kitchen. No talking, just a master at work and me privy to it. How lucky we must be. (Hoping you're looking after yourself Mr Kenji Lopez Alt sir and that you and the family are also keeping safe and well!)
It's a bit of a catch-22... exhaust hoods that actually work tend to sound like jet engines, and quiet exhaust hoods tend not to actually work. A proper, noisy one makes late night cooking more of a dodgy proposition, but all things considered it's the only way to go.
This is a staple in our house. I make this A LOT. And Kenji's still looks better than mine 😂 only thing I do different is I usually have a gochujang sauce on the side to add more spice if desired (or chili crunch) and crushed up roasted seaweed on top.
these videos are the best. I do this at home fairly often and now I'm getting even more recipe ideas from you Kenji. Thank you for inspiring other late night snackers!
Kenji, please put together a collection of your cooking without talking for an ASMR playlist. Could definitely fall asleep to the sounds of your cooking and knives.
Hey Kenji fellow home cook here, i’m in need of a new wok and I was wondering where you got yours from or something similar! I know it should be carbon steel but i’m not sure if I should get another flat bottom or a round one! It would help me out if you gave me a direction where to look. Thanks brother hope you enjoyed that fried rice!
These I like, and for the same reason as the ones where he talks. It’s preparing a meal in an atmosphere that is thoughtful, and organized and chaotic at the same time. He creates a feeling in me that “Yeah, I can do this.”
this was incredible... just the sound of the kitchen and everything in POV is the best thing i couldve imagine. no offense i love your stories and the way you describe the cooking process absolutley.. but this is nice too!
Love to see you rockin’ the “birthday boy” T-shirt! I think there is also a musical album that uses that ( from the early 70s??? ) lemme see if I can find it
OMG, the blowtorch at the end.. I will definitely have to borrow this technique! Kenji - do you think it is better to use a wooden spatula in the wok vs stainless? I do find my carbon wok has lots of tiny scratches..
Hey Kenji, I noticed you didn't use a lot of kimchi brine or fry your kimchi before adding the rice. Do you feel like this impacts the flavor of the fried rice or is this a personal preference?
Seems like a personal preference. Pre-frying the kimchi takes away a lot of the sourness, so dispersing more sour kimchi brine among the dish as a whole would be desirable. Kenji's method on the other hand keeps the kimchi more crisp and sour, making them little parcels of tang that burst in your mouth. If you want a more vibrant red in your kimchi fried rice without using a lot of brine, I recommend adding a spoonful of fine gochugaru, which not only adds color, but a bit of kick and sweetness.
Its to mimic the effects of a hotter stove thats normally used for a wok. Like the type you'd see in a restaurant, he explains it in one of his previous videos a long while back.
No it works perfectly fine. You should consider getting a searzall too for the touch it'll widen your utility in the kitchen with the touch. I've got mine on a benzomatic ts8000 but for this method you take the searzall off and use it straight.
Hey Kenji. I must say this looks delicious and simple. I love that you used a splash of kimchi brine to spice things up. I do a lot of lacto-pickling at home and I just love the brine. I've been spicing up my soups with it. I was wondering if you could give me a few ideas where I could use my leftover brine. Thanks.
any brine is a great aromatic baseline for a salad dressing when properly emulsified with a good quality oil. That said, it also does wonders for a quick slaw, adding another fragrant layer to the dish. For hot applications, you can use certain pickle brines for creamy sauce to go with fish. After all, the brine's got sweet, sour, salty, along with its distinct flavor. As long as the flavor profile doesn't mess with your fish, a pseudo-lemon cream/butter sauce with a kick will turn out great.
it’s 2am and i just got home from a uni event unfortunately i do not have the resources for this dish rn but i’ll happily watch you make it while i drunkenly eat a piece of toast instead bless
Hey chef. What's in your opinion the best rice & way of cooking for fried rice? Day old, sure. And I know of your trick of drying it out if you're in a rush. But what type / brand rice, and how do you cook it? I can't seem to get it right.
I missed the non talking late night snack videos, it’s some how super relaxing and fun to watch
me too! i used to binge watch them instead of doing homework in college years ago 🤣
Same
He's communicating with us through his dad breathing.
I dunno -- I have become enraptured of his dulcet tones telling us what we ought to learn about what he's doing. It's kind of a shock for me to have no monologue teaching me more than what I see.
Also: A Dad who has painted nails is a Girl Dad for sure. That's just sweetness.
yeah, shaddup Kenji
Kenji: “Late night vid - can’t commentate so i don’t disturb the wife and kiddos!”
also Kenji: _uses industrial butane torch with the sound of a jet engine to make fried rice_
Stir frying in a wok will be way louder than a butane torch can be. At least he's not smacking and scraping the wok with a metal shovel like they do in the restaurants!
They're not very loud lol. His wok is louder
Where is this quote about not being able to commentate as to not disturb the wife and kids??….
The smell of delicious late-night kimchi rice would definitely wake me up instead
no laws when you're drinking claws
It’s always so comforting hanging out with Kenji late night ☺️
💋 매력 감춰지지가 않네^^* 컴온🐾
👆 👆 진짜 검색해서 영 상 보고 화 보 보셈~ ! 👆 👆
올 노 ㅊ 개 지림 👆 👆 검색 ㄱㄱ
👆 👆 못보던거 많음요! 👆 👆
Gotta love Kenji's "late night" videos. He's so considerate not to talk, to be quiet not to wake his family. Then dude goes and lights a TORCH to finish fried rice more quickly. God bless this man.
The torch is to get more wok hei, a type of smoky flavor, not to finish it more quickly
I remember the old days when Kenji used to do late night videos on the side during the serious eats days. Super relaxed with the occasional beer sip. These videos take me back to simpler times.
💦실오라기 하나 안 걸치고 무ㄹ소리 쩍쩍~✦‿✦💦
you mean like this exact video that he has still be doing since then?
RIP sweet Shabu. I bet she's waiting in heaven for more of Kenji's cooking
Shabu was his dog's name? :(
Yeah, the smaller one that was in every video. 😞
@@AllieJames :( RIP Shabu. I will miss seeing him.
There are restaurants in Korea that actually have a faucet-like thing on the stove but instead of water, it shoots out fire - simultaneously cooking the wok from below and getting the char on top. I have used a similar blow torch technique to get that wok-heyyyy BBY. Blow torch cooking is actually very popular in Korea, especially for street food. Char and smoke is just another flavor component to level-up the taste. Also, I do enjoy cooking the kimchi in oil or that fat from the pork, to me it is a critical step. Old kimchee and hot pork fat creates magic. Kenji did do the pro move of adding some brine to add bright acidity and sweetness. Another pro-tip, keep portions of par-cooked white rice (just slightly under al dente) portioned in the freezer - perfect for weeknight fried rice dishes. It can go straight from the freezer into the hot wok, just try to freeze the rice flat, not like a ball. It will be easier to cook with that way. I hope more people eat kimchi fried rice.
Whenever I see a "late night" video from Kenji I know I'm in for a real treat
Love watching these videos because they're surprisingly engaging.Without the commentary you try to identify each ingredient and technique that he uses and recreate the dish in your head.
I like this form of video, Kenji. Very unique. And probably the best example of actual home cooking.
@@newlin83 maybe in your area. Gas is very popular in new homes here, even cheap starter homes.
@@newlin83 so you can’t learn anything from this because you don’t have the same equipment?
@@newlin83 okay. Next time I see everyone I’ll apologize.
@@newlin83 you are a child
Shabu is smiling ❤
Love these late night videos…Midnight Kenji Diner
Another fan of Midnight Diner?
World class comment
These late night cooking vids are such a vibe. Reminds me of when my dad would come home drunk at 4am from work and make food for himself except he made instant noodles all the time.
I love these 'Late Night' videos, please make more of them, they're inspiring and fun to watch.
These are the videos that got me hooked on this channel.
Love the idea of using the hand torch to ignite the oil particles and simulate the wok-ay effect you get with high powered restaurant wok setups. Will have to try that myself. Brilliant!
@@newlin83 It's not impractical at all. I've used one for years. I roasted a chicken the other day and prepared the stuffing by stir-frying it in the wok with butter, then stuffed it into the bird to finish cooking. I also use the wok to cook diced apples, brown sugar etc. for apple muffins. Woks have a large capacity and stirring is easier because they have no corners.
@@newlin83 there are quite literally billions of people using woks regularly without access to a commercial high heat burner. you're definitely correct that home cooking and commercial cooking are different, for sure, especially when it comes to something like high heat wok cooking. at the end of the day, it's still essentially a round pot though. it's a different story using the huge commercial woks because those definitely wouldn't heat up enough in a normal home kitchen. I don't see a problem with elevating home cooking with innovation, regardless; especially late at night when most places are gonna be closed and you're kenji with a fridge full of food lol.
@@newlin83 weird take
@@newlin83 I just find it weird that it has to follow your personal idea of what “home cooking” is supposed to be. I figure that’s a matter of opinion, other than the study you’re referencing, but that doesn’t seem to be the main point of your argument.
@@newlin83 mf trying to gatekeep cooking at home
This was such a great way to show this dish. You watch someone talk through egg fried rice sometimes and it seems so over done. It's a really simple dish and I love watching Kenji just futz about and get it done.
I LOVE these late night videos! I rewatch all of them on a regular basis.
watching kenji cook in silence is an art form unto itself
Nothing but the clatter of pans, the wind whistling through his nose hairs, and chewing noises
Great video as always, loving the pink nail polish! I think thats your color🤩
Literally the only video where this quantity of heavy breathing is acceptable.
Relatively new subscriber so this is the first "late-night" video I've seen; I'm mesmerized. It feels like I've been given secret access to the inner workings of Kenji's kitchen. No talking, just a master at work and me privy to it. How lucky we must be.
(Hoping you're looking after yourself Mr Kenji Lopez Alt sir and that you and the family are also keeping safe and well!)
Kenji must have a great fume hood lol, if I smoked up oil like that late at night I would be killed 😂
Thank you! I was just thinking the same thing! That’s a smoke alarm waiting to happen.
It's a bit of a catch-22... exhaust hoods that actually work tend to sound like jet engines, and quiet exhaust hoods tend not to actually work. A proper, noisy one makes late night cooking more of a dodgy proposition, but all things considered it's the only way to go.
I hope you kick up these asmr late night cooking videos more often. I love your commentary stuff too, but this is so relaxing
This is a staple in our house. I make this A LOT. And Kenji's still looks better than mine 😂 only thing I do different is I usually have a gochujang sauce on the side to add more spice if desired (or chili crunch) and crushed up roasted seaweed on top.
I was confused when I didn’t see gochujang
@@jaycobeh7900 You don't normally put gochujang in kimchi fried rice...if you need more spice you just put in more of the kimchi liquid
love the painted nails
Thanks 🙏 Kenji for sharing this. Laughed at the Teeshirt you had on. Cheers, from Oregon.
these videos are the best. I do this at home fairly often and now I'm getting even more recipe ideas from you Kenji. Thank you for inspiring other late night snackers!
i like the way kenji kept the fried egg on top and used it as a yolk reservoir
kenji drinking a white claw is goated
I love the back and forth moment in choosing a knife 😂
i love these kinds of videos from kenji the most
Imagine being a few white claws deep and just whipping up this amazing fried rice… props dude 😂
Love u dude.
Thanks for being there for us. Such simple inspiration, so much reward.
The idle whiteclaw on the cutting board speaks volumes. I know this mood.
drunk late night kenji = best kenji
That shell drop had me shook. But successful rescue on that.
If I had a kitchen like kenji
I would never leave my house
If I had a fridge that size, I wouldn't have stuff falling out every time I open the door.
I need a full tutorial on the thought process at 0:21.
What to look for in a knife.
Kenji, please put together a collection of your cooking without talking for an ASMR playlist. Could definitely fall asleep to the sounds of your cooking and knives.
Hey Kenji fellow home cook here, i’m in need of a new wok and I was wondering where you got yours from or something similar! I know it should be carbon steel but i’m not sure if I should get another flat bottom or a round one! It would help me out if you gave me a direction where to look. Thanks brother hope you enjoyed that fried rice!
All your videos are amazing but these late night one hit differently 🙌🏽
@howtobeast. 🤣🤣 nice try
These late night videos are my favorite
love the whiteclaw manoeuvre! :D only Kenji can make me envious of a whiteclaw and spam pairing
These I like, and for the same reason as the ones where he talks. It’s preparing a meal in an atmosphere that is thoughtful, and organized and chaotic at the same time. He creates a feeling in me that “Yeah, I can do this.”
I love the hungry Boi midnight cook seshes. My fav style vid you do by FAR.
I remember this kind of videos that made me discover this channel
this was incredible... just the sound of the kitchen and everything in POV is the best thing i couldve imagine. no offense i love your stories and the way you describe the cooking process absolutley.. but this is nice too!
Hey Kenji, I love the late night videos but much prefer the jumpcut-less versions. I love the ambiance of just waiting sometimes.
Love to see you rockin’ the “birthday boy” T-shirt! I think there is also a musical album that uses that ( from the early 70s??? ) lemme see if I can find it
The channel Red Letter Media ( not my favorite) has a history of it about 2mo ago
That was the most satisfying egg flip I’ve ever seen
Late night Kenji is all of us. Except instead of throwing half a bag of cheese on something random and microwaving it, he cooks a proper meal.
late night Kenji returns
kenji;s stoned food is so so much better than regulars mans
For these, would you ever put closed captioning as sort of commentary for whats going through your head in the decision making?
Yes! Primitive-Technology style
OMG, the blowtorch at the end.. I will definitely have to borrow this technique! Kenji - do you think it is better to use a wooden spatula in the wok vs stainless? I do find my carbon wok has lots of tiny scratches..
Hey Kenji, I noticed you didn't use a lot of kimchi brine or fry your kimchi before adding the rice. Do you feel like this impacts the flavor of the fried rice or is this a personal preference?
Seems like a personal preference. Pre-frying the kimchi takes away a lot of the sourness, so dispersing more sour kimchi brine among the dish as a whole would be desirable. Kenji's method on the other hand keeps the kimchi more crisp and sour, making them little parcels of tang that burst in your mouth. If you want a more vibrant red in your kimchi fried rice without using a lot of brine, I recommend adding a spoonful of fine gochugaru, which not only adds color, but a bit of kick and sweetness.
love this video format, highly engaging
I hope you upload more of these late night videos in the future. Was how I originally found you actually
Rendering out the fat in spam to fry everything in. Kenji, youre my hero
But he's frying it in the oil he put in just before the spam?! I doubt Spam itself would have enough fat in it to make that possible.
@finesse probably not alone, but man. I love the idea. Ive done it too for budae Jjiage
Finally the reason why I subscribed, please more of these
just yesterday i was thinking dam Kenji hasnt uploaded in a while !! When we most needed him, he returned :D
Is that a rubber band at 3:17 ?
I love the “which knife do I want?” moment
love it when you breath so hard, like you're having seggs with the food :)
glad to see you back Kenji. we missed you.
What was the reason for heating the food with the torch while tossing it? Sorry if it's obvious, I'm not exactly up to date with my wok technique 😅
Its to mimic the effects of a hotter stove thats normally used for a wok. Like the type you'd see in a restaurant, he explains it in one of his previous videos a long while back.
Rich Evans is smiling down from above
As Korean myself, I came to see the video just looking at the word “kimchi” even though I don’t eat it at all.
the blow torch trick is awesome; bit of wok hei
These videos are always so comfy
That "Dick the Birthday Boy" shirt is legendary
That's a lot of knives! And is that spam or what is the pinkish ingredient Kenji dices and throws into the Wok first?
Classic late night video 🔥
I LOVE the late night videosssssss
something about the way you do things, move around the kitchen, even just grabbing stuff
I love this format!!!!
Nice! Would a propane torch work for the Wok Hei or is it too hot?
No it works perfectly fine. You should consider getting a searzall too for the touch it'll widen your utility in the kitchen with the touch. I've got mine on a benzomatic ts8000 but for this method you take the searzall off and use it straight.
@@Furluge Thank you! Never heard of the searzall but I'm off to do some reasearch right now.
no one:
kenji: blowtorching rice at 2am in the morning
Hey Kenji. I must say this looks delicious and simple. I love that you used a splash of kimchi brine to spice things up. I do a lot of lacto-pickling at home and I just love the brine. I've been spicing up my soups with it. I was wondering if you could give me a few ideas where I could use my leftover brine. Thanks.
any brine is a great aromatic baseline for a salad dressing when properly emulsified with a good quality oil. That said, it also does wonders for a quick slaw, adding another fragrant layer to the dish. For hot applications, you can use certain pickle brines for creamy sauce to go with fish. After all, the brine's got sweet, sour, salty, along with its distinct flavor. As long as the flavor profile doesn't mess with your fish, a pseudo-lemon cream/butter sauce with a kick will turn out great.
@@jinyang1116 Cheers, mate! Great idea.
Make kimchi jiggae! Add to dips and marinades. Pickle more veggies in it. Use it for the next batch to kick start fermentation. Etc etc
What kind of oil are you using in the wok?
is that a replacement for the chinese restaurant rocket stove?
To change things up I started omitting the oyster sauce in my fried rice and replace it with curry spice. Soy sauce compliments it well
3:49
Very innovative way of getting some wok hei on the fried rice 😂😂
0:42 what was that? 😂
DICK THE BIRTHDAY BOY!
cry for help
babe wake up Kenji dropped a late night vid
3:51 how to get wok hey at home. Veeeeery Gooood!
Just beautiful.
How late did you make this for yourself? Like 1? If so, absolute legend. Love the recipes as per usual!
it’s 2am and i just got home from a uni event
unfortunately i do not have the resources for this dish rn but i’ll happily watch you make it while i drunkenly eat a piece of toast instead
bless
This video is so chaotic and I love it
I need this type of late night cooking like this once in a while :D
Is there a reason behind using the cloth to hold the wok, or is it just habit?
i just love the non talking late night videos. back to the old times right kenji?
Why the kitchen torch at the end of cook?
Hey chef. What's in your opinion the best rice & way of cooking for fried rice? Day old, sure. And I know of your trick of drying it out if you're in a rush. But what type / brand rice, and how do you cook it? I can't seem to get it right.
the late night videos are the best
It's official. I'm totally crushin on JKLA 😻
That kimchi looked so goddamn good
Hope you do a commentated version of this. I'd love to recreate it. Is it in your new book?
it's on serious eats
@@DrMrMLG Thanks. I'll check it out.
I liked the bathroom scene Kenji