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    Home » Noodles and Rice

    Kimbap (or Gimbap)

    Published 09/07/2018. Updated 04/05/2021

    Jump to Recipe

    Kimbap is the most popular on-the-go meal in Korea! Learn how to make classic kimbap at home with my step-by-step guide!DSC 0427 e1613706244682 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)

    What is kimbap (or gimbap)?

    Gimbap (김밥) is a Korean seaweed rice roll filled with a variety of delicious fillings. Gim is dried sheets of seaweed, and bap means rice.

    We all grew up on these rice rolls. They were a must for our school field trips and outdoor activities as well as family road trips! Whether it’s the anticipation the night before or watching the early morning preparation by mom to pack these in lunch boxes, there is no other dish that takes me back to my childhood like these seaweed rice rolls!

    Today, gimbap is the most popular on-the-go meal in Korea. You can practically find gimbap everywhere, and it’s popular with adults and kids alike. Try them yourself and be prepared to fall in love with these delicious Korean rice rolls.

    There are many variations of gimbap these days, but the best one for me is the classic gimbap my mother used to make for us on our field trip/picnic days.

    It takes some time to prepare the individual fillings, but the process is easy and fun.

    DSC 0072 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)

    Rice for gimbap

    Gimbap rice is typically made with white, short grain rice. For healthier options, you can mix in some brown rice or multigrain rice.

    It’s important to cook the rice slightly drier than normal by using a bit less water. Then, lightly season it with sesame oil and salt for a nutty and savory note.

    Gim (seaweed sheets)

    For making gimbap, seaweed sheets need to be slightly thick to be able to hold the rice and all the fillings. They are also lightly roasted. You can find seaweed sheets for rice rolls (aka sushi) at Korean/Asian markets.

    Variations

    Although gimbap fillings have evolved to include all sorts of things, the classic ingredients are yellow pickled radish (danmuji), eomuk (fish cake), carrots, spinach, eggs, and beef. You can use any tender cut of beef. Thin bulgogi meat or ground beef works fine as well.

    Braised burdock root (우엉) is also commonly used in classic gimbap. You can usually find packages burdock root pre-prepared for gimbap next to yellow pickled radishes (danmuji). Or, you can make your own, using my recipe.

    With different fillings cooked individually, gimap has an interesting combination of textures and flavors.

    Everything is well seasoned, so we don’t usually eat gimbap with a sauce.

    DSC 1648 e1613706627354 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)

    Rolling gimbap

    How hard is the rolling process? It takes some practice, but don’t be scared! You’ll find it much easier with your second roll. Just remember to roll it tightly by putting firm, even pressure with your hands all over the roll.

    Ready to roll?

    Tips for the perfect gimbap

    1. Freshly cooked rice is best for making gimbap.
    2. Mix the rice with sesame oil and salt while the rice is still warm.
    3. Wet your fingers before spreading the rice onto the seaweed to prevent the rice from sticking to your hands. It’s easiest to have a small bowl with water next to your rolling-station so that you can wet your hand in between rolls.
    4. Use a sharp knife for cutting your rolls. You need to make a clean slicing motion and make the full slice in one go without pressing on the roll.
    5. Store the sliced gimbap in an airtight container. Gimbap is best eaten on the day it’s made, but you can keep it in the fridge and reheat either in the microwave or in a pan. Sometimes, we dip refrigerated gimbap in egg batter and pan fry. A delicious way to revive gimbap!

    More gimbap recipes

    Tofu gimbap – vegan gimbap
    Mini gimbap (Mayak gimbap)
    Tuna gimbap
    Myulchu gimbap

    Gimbap photo e1454171342669 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    Gimbap photo 350x350 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)

    Gimbap (Korean dried seaweed rice rolls)

    4.62 from 54 votes
    Main Course, Snack
    Prep Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups uncooked short grain rice standard measuring cup not the cup that comes with a rice cooker
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • salt to taste start with 1/2 teaspoon

    For the beef

    • 8 ounces lean tender beef, cut into 1/2 inch-thick long strips (or bulgogi meat or ground beef)
    • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon rice wine (or mirin)
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

    For the vegetables

    • 1 bunch spinach, about 8 ounces
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • salt to taste - about 1/4 teaspoon
    • 2 medium carrots, julienned (or 1/2-inch thick long strips)
    • 5 yellow pickled radish (danmuji, 단무지) strips, 1/2-inch thick

    For the fish cake

    • 1 sheet fish cake - eomuk (어묵)
    • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
    • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 5 gimbap gim (김밥용 김), seaweed sheets

    Instructions

    • Cook the rice using a little less water than usual. (Freshly cooked rice is best for gimbap.)
    • Cut the beef into thin strips (about 1/2-inch thick). Mix well with the next 5 seasoning ingredients. Stir-fry over medium-high heat until cooked through, 2 - 3 minutes.
      gimbap recipe 3 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and prepare an ice bath. Blanch the spinach, place immediately in the ice bath, then squeeze out water. Season with the sesame oil and salt.
      gimbap recipe 4 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Julienne the carrots. Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the carrots until softened. Lightly season with a pinch of salt.
      gimbap recipe 5 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Cut the pickled radish lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick strips (unless you bought a pre-cut package).
      gimbap recipe 8 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Crack and beat the eggs, in a bowl with a spoon or a fork. Stir in a pinch of salt. Heat a small non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Add the eggs to the pan. When the bottom is set, flip it over. Transfer to a cutting board. Cut lengthwise into 3/4-inch thick strips. 
      gimbap recipe 6 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Cut the fish cake lengthwise into 3/4-inch thick strips. Heat the pan with a little bit of oil over medium heat. Stir fry with the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and a little bit (about 1 teaspoon) of vegetable oil over medium heat until softened, about 2 minutes.
      gimbap recipe 7 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Arrange all the ingredients together on a plate.When all the other ingredients are ready, remove the rice from the rice cooker.
      gimbap recipe 15 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • While the rice is still hot, add the sesame oil and salt. Mix well by lightly folding with a rice paddle or large spoon until evenly seasoned. Add more salt to taste. The rice will cool down during this process and be ready to be used.
      gimbap recipe 9 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Put a sheet of nori, shiny side down and longer side towards you, on a cutting board or a bamboo mat if available. Spread about 3/4 cup to 1 cup of rice evenly over the seaweed sheet, using a rice paddle or your fingers preferably.
      gimbap recipe 10 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Lay the prepared ingredients on top of the rice close to the side toward you.
      gimbap recipe 11 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Lift the entire bottom edge with both hands and roll over the filling away from you, tucking in the filling with your fingers.
      gimbap recipe 111 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Put firm pressure over the roll with the help of the bamboo mat, if using, to close everything in tightly. Then, continue to roll again, putting pressure evenly over the roll using both hands.
      gimbap recipe 14 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    • Rub or brush the roll with a little bit of sesame oil for extra flavor and shiny look. Apply a little bit of sesame oil to a sharp knife. (This will keep rice from sticking to the knife. Repeat as necessary after each cut. Wipe the knife with a damp towel if the rice still sticks.) Cut the roll into 1/2-inch thick bite sizes.
      gimbap recipe 13 - Kimbap (or Gimbap)
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

    This gimbap recipe was originally posted in May 2012. I’ve updated it here with more information, new photos and minor changes to the recipe.

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