This Dorito Kimchi Carbonara recipe is inspired by one of my favorite dishes from a restaurant called King Noodle in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It’s a fun Asian Italian fusion dish that’s out of control and delicious.
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What is Dorito Kimchi Carbonara
Dorito Kimchi Carbonara is an interesting twist on the classic Italian pasta dish that screams culinary rebellion, marrying the bold and zesty crunch of Doritos with the fiery tang of kimchi, all swirled into a creamy, dreamy carbonara sauce.
I first had this insane dish at a tiki themed stoner restaurant called King Noodle in Bushwick. I lived a few blocks away and it was seriously my favorite place on earth.
They did an incredible job of marrying high brow and low brow inspired americanized asian dishes that were totally unforgettable.
Just picture this amazingness: al dente bucatini pasta, each strand gloriously coated in a silky, eggy concoction, punctuated by the umami-rich, garlicky punch of fermented cabbage with crispy bacon.
On top, you'll find the unmistakable, unexpected crunch of crushed Doritos adding not just texture but a pop of color and flavor that's nothing short of revolutionary.
It's a dish that defies convention, a playful nod to the stoners of the world proving once again that in the realm of comfort food, there are no rules, only deliciousness.
It's the kind of dish that I dream about which is why I'm trying my hardest to recreate it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Bucatini Pasta - If you can't find bucatini, any fat pasta will work just fine. I recommend using Udon if you can find it near you.
- Bacon - You'll want to use thick sliced smoked bacon. You can also use guanciale or even pancetta if you want to use something fancier.
- Kimchi - I'm just Mama O's Kimchi which is my absolute favorite brand. You can use regular or spicy - I'm using regular.
- Eggs - The higher quality eggs, the better. We'll be utilizing both the yolk and the whole egg.
- Pecorino - You could switch out pecorino for parmigiano if you want.
- Cheese Doritos - These are for topping the dish. And i know it might sound weird but trust me, it works!! You could totally leave it out though if it's giving you the ick.
How to make it
Start the Noodles: Prepare salted water and boil noodles. Before straining, make sure to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water for later on.
Prepare the Bacon Kimchi Mixture: Add bacon to a heavy bottomed pan and fry until almost crispy — adding kimchi at the last minute to simply heat it up and infuse the bacon fat with the kimchi. Turn off the heat and let it sit.
Prepare the Egg Cheese Mixture: Meanwhile, mix egg, egg yolks, and grated pecorino in a small dish and set aside.
Coat the Noodles: Once the noodles are al dente, add them to the bacon kimchi mixture and toss. Then slowly add in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring consistently so the eggs don’t scramble.
Loosen the Sauce: If the sauce is looking dry, add in ¼ cup of pasta water and stir. Repeat this process until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
Finish the Dish & Serve: Once plated, add a handful of crushed Doritos, scallions, flaky salt and fresh cracked pepper.
What goes with Dorito Kimchi Carbonara
I'd serve kimchi carbonara with one of these tasty side dishes:
- Asian Avocado Salad with Cucumbers and Furikake
- Xi'an Famous Foods Chinese Inspired Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Asian Slaw Hot Dogs with Sriracha & Kewpie Mayo
- Bulgogi Beef Smashburger Tacos
- Korean Rice Bowls with Fried Eggs
- Mango Kimchi Hot Dogs
- Soy Sauce Marinated Drunken Eggs
Frequently asked questions
Can I use any flavor of Doritos for my Dorito Kimchi Carbonara? Absolutely! While Nacho Cheese Doritos are what were originally use, feel free to get funky with Cool Ranch or even go bold with Spicy Sweet Chili – it's your carbonara party.
Is there a pasta shape that works best with this saucy, crunchy concoction?
Long, fat pastas like bucatini or udon noodles are ideal for getting all that creamy, kimchi-flavored goodness in every bite, but hey, feel free to experiment with your pasta shapes!
What's the golden rule of Carbonara?
The golden rule of carbonara is to not add cream! Just don't do it. With this recipe, you can easily achieve a creamy, deliciously glossy sauce with all the ingredients I have mentioned. There is absolutely no need for cream if you follow the instructions.
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Recipe
King Noodle's Kimchi Carbonara with Doritos
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ lb Bucatini Pasta
- 6 slices Thick Cut Bacon roughly chopped
- ½ cup Kimchi roughly chopped
- 1 large Egg room temp
- 3 large Egg Yolks room temp
- ½ cup Pecorino grated
- ½ cup Cheese Doritos Crushed
Instructions
- Prepare salted water and boil noodles. Before straining, make sure to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water for later on.
- Add bacon to a heavy bottomed pan and fry until almost crispy — adding kimchi at the last minute to simply heat it up and infuse the bacon fat with the kimchi. Turn the heat off but leave on the burner.
- Meanwhile, mix egg, egg yolks, and pecorino in a small dish and set aside.
- Once the noodles are al dente, add them to the bacon kimchi mixture and toss.
- Slowly add in the egg and cheese mixture, stirring consistently so the eggs don’t scramble.
- If the sauce is looking dry, add in ¼ cup of pasta water and stir. If still dry, repeat this process until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Once plated, add a handful of crushed Doritos, flaky salt and fresh cracked pepper.