Introduction

Pa-gireum (파기름) means “green onion oil.” It is not usually a bottled product but a cooking step: chopped green onions are fried slowly in oil until the oil smells sweet and toasty, and then everything else is cooked in it. Korean home cooks use pa-gireum as the first step for fried rice, spicy stir-fries, jjamppong and even tteokbokki, and many make a jar to keep on hand. It is the simplest way to give food that restaurant-style “wok” aroma.

Pa-gireum at a Glance

What it is

• A Korean aromatic oil made by gently frying green onions

Main ingredients

• Green onions (Korean daepa or scallions) and a neutral oil; sometimes garlic or gochugaru

Taste

• Sweet, savory and toasty, with a gentle onion aroma

Main uses

• Fried rice, stir-fries, spicy soups, noodles, eggs and dipping oil

What is Pa-gireum Made Of?

Only two ingredients are essential, but cooks build variations on top:

• Basic pa-gireum: green onions and neutral oil (canola, grapeseed, soybean) – used in the recipe below.
• Pa-maneul gireum: green onion plus garlic for a stronger, savory oil.
• Spicy pa-gireum: gochugaru added off the heat – essentially a homemade gochu-gireum with onion flavor, used for jjamppong and spicy stir-fries.
• Jarred pa-gireum: strained green onion oil kept for quick cooking; the crispy onion bits can be stored separately as a topping.

What Does Pa-gireum Taste Like?

Raw green onion is sharp, but slowly fried it turns mellow, sweet and slightly caramelized. The oil carries that aroma into every grain of rice or noodle. It is not spicy unless you add chili.

Popular Korean Dishes That Use Pa-gireum

Pa-gireum Bokkeumbap

Egg fried rice cooked in green onion oil – the recipe below. The same start makes great kimchi fried rice.

Jjamppong

Korean-Chinese spicy seafood noodle soup starts with spicy green onion oil.

Jeyuk and Ojingeo Bokkeum

Spicy pork or squid stir-fries often begin by frying green onions in oil.

Gireum Tteokbokki

Oil-fried rice cakes taste even better tossed in scallion oil before seasoning.

Easy Pa-gireum Egg Fried Rice Recipe (Serves 2)

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice, preferably day-old and cold
• 3 eggs, beaten with a pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
• Salt, black pepper and 1 tsp sesame oil to finish

Pa-gireum

• 1 cup chopped green onions (about 4–5 stalks)
• 3 tbsp neutral oil

Instructions

1. Put the oil and green onions in a cold wok or large pan. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes until the onions soften and the oil smells sweet. Do not let them burn.
2. Push the onions to one side, pour in the eggs and scramble until just set.
3. Add the rice, raise the heat to medium-high and stir-fry, breaking up clumps, for 2–3 minutes.
4. Pour the soy sauce around the edge of the pan so it sizzles, add the sugar, then toss everything together.
5. Season with salt and pepper, turn off the heat and drizzle with sesame oil.

Tip: Starting in a cold pan lets the onion flavor infuse slowly instead of scorching. Use only the white and light green parts for the oil and save the dark green tops for garnish.

Where to Buy Pa-gireum Ingredients

United States

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Amazon
Search scallion oil on Amazon
Search Korean soy sauce on Amazon

H-Mart
Search green onion on H-Mart

Canada

Search scallion oil on Amazon.ca

Europe

Search scallion oil on Amazon.co.uk

How to Store Pa-gireum

Homemade oil made with fresh aromatics should always be refrigerated, never kept at room temperature. Strain out the onions, store the oil in a clean, sealed jar in the fridge and use within 1 week, or freeze it in small portions for up to 3 months. Anything that smells off or looks cloudy and bubbly should be thrown away.

Pa-gireum FAQ

Is pa-gireum the same as Chinese scallion oil?

They are very similar – both are green onions fried in oil. Korean pa-gireum is usually made quickly in the pan right before cooking.

Can I use sesame oil to make pa-gireum?

Toasted sesame oil burns easily and becomes bitter. Use neutral oil for frying and add sesame oil at the end.

Can I use leeks?

Yes. Leeks are close to Korean daepa (large green onion) and make a sweet, mellow oil.

Conclusion

Pa-gireum is a free flavor upgrade: a few minutes of slowly frying green onions turns plain oil into the aromatic base of countless Korean dishes. Start with the egg fried rice above, then add it to stir-fries and soups. For a spicy version, see our gochu-gireum guide.