She Strengthens

Revolutionizing the Humble Rice Bowl

At Chego, Roy Choi’s West Los Angeles restaurant, the traditional rice bowl gets a bold makeover. Gone are the days of microwaved rice, rubbery chicken, and sugary teriyaki sauce. Instead, Choi brings together fresh vegetables, homemade sauces, and carefully cooked meats to create a truly exceptional dish.

The Secret to Success: Quality Ingredients

To replicate this culinary masterpiece at home, you’ll need a few key ingredients. Mae Ploy sweet chile sauce, found in the Asian section of your supermarket, adds a depth of flavor. Sriracha hot sauce, Korean red pepper powder, and Korean chile paste bring the heat. Fresh shiso leaves, with their unique blend of cinnamon, anise, basil, and mint flavors, add an aromatic twist.

Game Plan: Preparing the Perfect Rice Bowl

Before you begin, make sure you have a reliable candy/fat thermometer on hand to ensure your oil reaches the perfect temperature. Then, follow these steps:

Sweet Chile Sauce

Combine Mae Ploy sweet chile sauce, Thai basil, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice, onion, scallions, garlic, Sriracha hot sauce, Korean red pepper powder, sesame seeds, ginger, Anaheim chile, serrano chile, salt, and black pepper in a blender. Purée until smooth and set aside.

Marinated Chicken

In a resealable plastic bag or nonreactive bowl, combine lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, Asian pear, black pepper, and chicken thighs. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Crispy Shallots

Pour 1 inch of oil into a small saucepan and heat to 350°F. Toss shallots with flour, then fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and season with salt. Repeat with remaining shallots.

Cooking the Chicken and Jalapeños

Grill chicken and jalapeños over medium-high heat until cooked through. Slice chicken into 1/2-inch-thick pieces and jalapeños into 1/4-inch-thick rings.

Assembling the Rice Bowl

Divide steamed white rice among 6 serving bowls. Top each with chicken, a poached egg, Chinese broccoli, grilled jalapeños, shiso leaves, basil leaves, sesame seeds, and crispy shallots. Drizzle with sweet chile sauce and serve with additional sauce on the side.

With these simple steps and high-quality ingredients, you’ll be well on your way to creating a revolutionary rice bowl that will impress even the most discerning palates.