Korean Lunchbox (Dosirak) from Squid Game

Recipe of Korean Lunchbox (도시락), the exact authentic lunchbox meal shown in the “Squid Game” series, evoking nostalgia for old-school Korean lunches. This simple but hearty dosirak includes steamed rice, a sunny-side-up egg, pan-fried fish sausage, kimchi, and stir-fried anchovies, arranged in a classic metal lunchbox for a comforting and traditional meal.

Cooking Time:
30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short-grain white rice
• 1 egg
• 4 slices Korean fish sausage (or Vienna sausage)
• 2 tbsp well-fermented kimchi
• 2 tbsp dried small anchovies (myeolchi)
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• ½ tsp sugar
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• Optional: roasted seaweed sheets

Recipe:

1. Steamed White Rice (Bap)
   • Rinse 1 cup of short-grain white rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
   • Add 1 ¼ cups water and cook in a rice cooker or on the stovetop until fluffy.
2. Sunny-side-up Fried Egg (Gyeran)
   • Heat ½ tsp vegetable oil in a small nonstick pan over medium-low heat.
   • Crack in the egg and cook until the whites are set but the yolk stays runny. Remove gently.
3. Pan-fried Fish Sausage Slices
   • Slice the fish sausage into ½-inch rounds.
   • In the same pan, lightly fry the slices until golden on both sides.
4. Kimchi
   • Warm 2 tbsp of kimchi in a small pan over low heat for 1–2 minutes. This softens the acidity and deepens the flavor. (Alternatively, serve it cold if preferred.)
5. Stir-fried Anchovies (Myeolchi Bokkeum)
   • Heat ½ tsp vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
   • Add 2 tbsp small dried anchovies and stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.
   • Add ½ tsp soy sauce, ½ tsp sugar, and stir quickly to coat.
   • Drizzle in ½ tsp sesame oil and stir once more, then remove from heat.
6. Assemble the Dosirak
   • Place the steamed rice in a metal lunchbox.
   • Set the sunny-side-up egg on top of the rice.
   • Arrange the fish sausage slices, kimchi, and stir-fried anchovies neatly around the rice.
   • Optionally add roasted seaweed sheets on the side.