Kimbap | Authentic Korean Recipe (2024)

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This homemade kimbap tastes like something from a Korean restaurant and is so easy to make. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, it tastes delicious every time!

Kimbap | Authentic Korean Recipe (1)

If you love sushi, then you’ll love Korea’s answer to it: Kimbap or Gimbap.

Table of Contents

  • What is kimbap?
  • Why you’ll love this recipe
  • What is a kimbap roll made of?
    • Rice
    • Gochujang sweet potato
    • Chickpea omelette
    • Vegetables
  • How to make them?
    • Step 1: Cook Gochujang sweet potatoes
    • Step 2: Cook chickpea omelet
    • Step 3: Cook the veggies
    • Step 4: Cook the rice
    • Step 5: Prepare kimbap rolls
    • Step 6: Serve
  • Tips to make the best recipe
  • Storage instructions
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Kimbap | Easy Homemade Recipe
    • Kimbap rice
    • Gochung sweet potato
    • Chickpea omelet
    • Vegetables

What is kimbap?

Kimbap, also known as seaweed rice, is a popular Korean rice roll that’s traditionally made with seaweed. It is often mistaken for sushi because it looks similar to sushi. But, the dish has unique flavors and ingredients and is different from sushi.

FREE EBOOK SERIES! 5 SECRETS FOR FOOLPROOF VEGAN DESERTS

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Quick and easy. The recipe has simple instructions and will be ready to serve in minutes.
  • Budget-friendly. All the ingredients are easily available, cheap, and affordable.
  • Healthy. Packed with slow-releasing carbs, vegetables, and protein, it’s well-balanced.

What I love the most about this recipe is that it’s a perfect snack or light lunch. It’s delicious, filling, and satisfying. It’s my go-to meal when I’m in a rush or just wanting something small!

What is a kimbap roll made of?

This recipe calls for very simple ingredients that you’ll likely already have in your pantry. Here is what you’ll need:

Rice

  • Short-grained white rice. Rinse and clean well before cooking.
  • Water. To cook the rice.
  • Rice vinegar.Keeps the rice soft and sticky.
  • Agave nectar. Naturally sweetens the rice.
  • Sesame oil.
  • Mirin. A sweet and umami sauce that takes this dish up a notch.
  • Cold-pressed beet juice.Optional, but adds a pop of purple color.
  • Nori sheets.Also known as seaweed wraps.

Gochujang sweet potato

  • Sweet potato. Boiled and mashed.
  • Salt or pepper. To taste.
  • Sesame oil. Or any other oil.
  • Gochujang. Fermented spicy paste is used for marinades, sauces, etc.
  • Water. As required.

Chickpea omelette

  • Chickpea flour/Garbanzo bean flour.Sift it carefully to ensure there are no clumps.
  • Water. As required.
  • Black salt. To taste.

Vegetables

  • Baby spinach. Fresh, and stalks removed.
  • Carrot. Peeled and cut into pieces.
  • Cucumber. Sliced into pieces.
  • Salt. To taste.
  • Sesame oil. For stir frying vegetables.

How to make them?

Although there are 6 steps to making this recipe, all parts can be made in advance and once everything comes together, it’s very seamless to assemble them. Ready to make some Korean-style sushi?

Step 1: Cook Gochujang sweet potatoes

Preheat oven to 200C and mix diced sweet potatoes, salt, pepper, and sesame oil in a bowl. Toss the bowl to coat the potatoes with spices and then bake for 45 minutes or until they become soft.

Once done, transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a bowl and toss it with water and Gochujang. Mash the sweet potato slightly and set aside to make it cool.

Step 2: Cook chickpea omelet

Mix chickpea flour, water, and black salt in a bowl and whisk until smooth paste forms. After 10 minutes, fry like a regular omelet in a non-stick fry pan. Once done, cut strips and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the veggies

Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil to a pan and saute carrots for 2 minutes. Similarly, saute the baby spinach once the carrots are done.

Kimbap | Authentic Korean Recipe (2)

Step 4: Cook the rice

Start by rinsing the brown rice in water until the water becomes clear and then sieve all the water through a drainer for 30 minutes before cooking. In a small bowl, mix together beet juice, rice vinegar, and mirin agave nectar and set aside.

After draining the rice, add them to a saucepan containing 2 cups of water. Boil the mixture and let it simmer after covering it with a lid for at least 35 minutes. Don’t open the lid while cooking. After 35 minutes, turn off the flame, but let the pot cover for 15 minutes.

Kimbap | Authentic Korean Recipe (3)

Step 5: Prepare kimbap rolls

Now, transfer the rice to a bowl and add the vinegar mixture right away. With the help of a paddle, cut and fold the vinegar into the rice while rotating the bowl and blowing air with a small fan into the rice. Keep doing this until the rice becomes sticky and completely cool.

Finally, to assemble the kimbap rolls, place a nori sheet on a bamboo mat, with the shiny side down on the bamboo mat. Wet your hands to cover the nori sheet with cooked rice. Leave 1-inch border on the nori sheet near you without rice and cover that border with prepared fillings and roll in the jelly roll style. Leave the rolls for 5 minutes before cutting them.

Step 6: Serve

Coat kimbap rolls with some sesame oil before cutting them for serving. Always use a sharp knife to make clean and beautiful cuts.

Kimbap | Authentic Korean Recipe (4)

Tips to make the best recipe

  • If you don’t want to make rice from scratch, microwave or leftover rice also works.
  • While dealing with rice, never forget to wet your hands to avoid the rice sticking to your hands.
  • Always use a sharp knife to cut the kimbap rolls. This ensures the clean cutting of the rolls to make them more aesthetically pleasing.

Storage instructions

  • To store. You can store kimbap in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.
  • To freeze. Freezing kimbap isn’t recommended as the rice becomes brittle and does not defrost well.

Frequently asked questions

Is kimbap eaten hot or cold?

It tastes the best when eaten at room temperature, neither too hot nor cold.

Is kimbap a copy of sushi?

Kimbap is different from sushi as it is more flavorful and rarely made with raw fish;.

What is the difference between Gimbap and kimbap?

Kimbap and gimbap are the same thing.

Kimbap | Easy Homemade Recipe

Crazy Vegan Kitchen

This homemade kimbap tastes like something from a Korean restaurant and is so easy to make. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, it tastes delicious every time!

3.50 from 2 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine Korean

Servings 4 kimbap rolls

Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients

Kimbap rice

Gochung sweet potato

  • 1/2 large Sweet Potato diced
  • 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Gochujang
  • 2 teaspoons Water

Chickpea omelet

Vegetables

  • 2 cups Baby Spinach
  • 1/2 large Carrot grated
  • 1 small Cucumber cut into strips
  • 2 teaspoons Sesame Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  • Rinse your brown rice in water till the water runs almost clear, and then leave your rice to drain in a sieve for half an hour before cooking it.

  • In a small bowl, combine your rice vinegar, mirin agave nectar and beet juice. Whisk to dissolve. Set aside.

  • After 30 minutes of draining your rice, combine with 2 cups of water in a deep saucepan. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 35 minutes. Do not open the lid in between!

  • After 35 minutes, turn heat off but keep your pot on the hob, covered, for another 15 minutes.

  • Transfer rice to a bowl and pour vinegar mixture in straight away. Using a paddle, “cut” and “fold” vinegar into rice whilst rotating the bowl at the same time. At this point, I use a mini fan to blow cool air into the rice – this helps it cool rapidly and get sticky. Continue folding, cutting and mixing with the mini fan turned on until your rice is completely cool and sticky.

  • To assemble your rolls, place a nori sheet, shiny side down on a bamboo mat. Using wet hands, press rice down onto your seaweed and cover most of the sheet with it, leaving a 1 inch border nearest to you. Fill with prepared fillings and roll, jelly roll style. Leave your rolls for 5 minutes before cutting them

  • Finally, brush some sesame oil on the top of your Kimbap rolls and use a very sharp knife to make clean, beautiful cuts.

  • Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius. Combine diced sweet potato, salt, pepper, and sesame oil in a bowl. Toss to coat and then transfer to a baking tray and roast for 45 minutes, till soft.

  • Once the sweet potato is cooked, immediately transfer it into a bowl and toss it with Gochujang and water, crushing to mash some of the sweet potato slightly. Set aside to cool.

  • Combine chickpea flour, water and black salt in a bowl. Whisk till smooth, and set aside for ten minutes. After 10 minutes, fry as you would a normal omelette, in a non stick pan. Once cooked, cut into strips and set aside.

  • Using 1 teaspoon of sesame oil, sautee carrots with some salt in a pan for 2 minutes. Set carrots aside and repeat the same process with your baby spinach and remaining 1 teaspoon of oil.

Notes

TO STORE: You can store kimbap in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator.

TO FREEZE: Freezing kimbap isn’t recommended as the rice becomes brittle and does not defrost well

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1kimbap rollCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 1108mgPotassium: 457mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 9304IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2mg

    Keyword kimbap, kimbap recipe

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Kimbap | Authentic Korean Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What's the difference between kimbap and gimbap? ›

    Kimbap—also known as gimbap—are Korean rice rolls that might look a lot like Japanese sushi rolls but, in truth, are nothing like sushi. Kimbap (from gim, a type of seaweed, and bap, the Korean term for "rice") is easy, portable, and adaptable to any palate, diet, or occasion.

    What is Korean kimbap made of? ›

    Gimbap (Korean: 김밥; lit. Gim rice; IPA: [kim. p͈ap̚]), also romanized as kimbap, is a Korean dish made from cooked rice, vegetables, fish, and meat rolled in gim—dried sheets of seaweed—and served in bite-sized slices.

    Are kimbap healthy? ›

    A nutrient-rich and balanced meal

    Kimbap is packed with a variety of fresh vegetables, making it a jam-packed source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber. With carbs from the rice, protein from the meat, egg, and seaweed, and vitamins from the veggies, kimbap offers a well-rounded meal.

    How far ahead can you make kimbap? ›

    Save some time and prep the kimbap fillings ahead: While kimbap itself is not a great prep-ahead item (the rice can dry out quickly if stored in the fridge for 12 or more hours), you can cheat it by prepping all your fillings a day or two ahead of time.

    Is kimbap cheaper than sushi? ›

    However, Koreans love to add other ingredients to kimbap such as kimchi, ham, cheese and Korean BBQ. Kimbap uses more common ingredients so it can be seen as more accessible and less expensive when compared to sushi.

    Do you eat kimbap hot or cold? ›

    Kimbap should be eaten fresh or at room temperature; refrigerating it makes the rice hard. If you want to prepare kimbap the night before and refrigerate it to eat the next day, the best way to heat it is by frying: dip the whole (uncut) rolls in beaten egg, then dredge in panko (Japanese bread crumbs, sold in bags).

    What do Koreans eat with kimbap? ›

    You might be asking yourself what to eat kimbap with, say, at your next picnic. You can't go wrong pairing it with classic Korean sides such as kimchi or pickled vegetables.

    Do Koreans say gimbap or kimbap? ›

    Gimbap (also sometimes spelled "kimbap") is the perfect meal on-the-go, a common sight at bus stations and a must-have at school picnics. The only limit for kimbap fillings is your imagination: You can find tuna, avocado, chicken, shrimp, and bulgogi kimbap.

    What is the most popular kimbap? ›

    Spam kimbap is one of the most classic and popular types of kimbap. It's loaded with veggies, pickled radish, and Spam and rolled up in a sheet of seaweed and rice. Kimbap is great for picnicking, easy meals for outdoor events, and as a grab-and-go meal any time of the day!

    Do you eat kimbap in one bite? ›

    It's the Korean version of the Japanese “maki” or rice rolls. The outside is dried laver seaweed, and the flavor comes mostly from sesame oil and individually prepared meats and vegetables. There is no need to dip it into a sauce because everything should be properly seasoned in one well-balanced bite.

    What is kimbap in English? ›

    Kimbap, indeed a wonderfully balanced bite, literally translates from Korean to English as “seaweed rice,” though it's more accurately described as a rice roll—a piece of kim (seaweed) covered with well-seasoned bap (rice) and rolled around fillings.

    How long does kimbap last? ›

    Kimbap tastes best when eaten fresh, ideally on the same day it's made. You can keep it at room temperature for a few hours, but it's not a good idea to store it in the fridge for too long. The taste can change and it might not be as nice to eat.

    Is kimbap Korean or Japanese? ›

    Kimbap is indeed Korean. However, Kimbap's creation was influenced by the Japanese “norimaki” and was reinvented into a popular Korean meal. It is similar to Italy's spaghetti which was influenced by noodle dish from early china.

    Why does my kimbap fall apart? ›

    The most common reason most rolls fall apart is that they're overstuffed. Usually, the culprit is too much rice. The solution? Use a smaller amount of rice when creating your rolls.

    What is difference between sushi and kimbap? ›

    Origins: Kimbap is a Korean rice roll while sushi is a Japanese rice roll with its true origins in China. Ingredients: Kimbap is stuffed with cooked meats and pickled vegetables. Sushi is usually filled with raw seafood and vegetables and is often topped with roe.

    Is bibimbap and kimbap the same? ›

    Bibimbap, a Korean rice dish with gochujang and mixed vegetables, is a very popular dish around the world [20], [21]. Also, kimbap is a Korean dish made from steamed white rice (bap) and various other ingredients, rolled in gim (sheets of dried laver seaweed), and served in bite-size slices.

    Is kimbap cooked or raw? ›

    While sushi rolls have raw fish, everything in Kimbap is cooked. Kimbap is made with rice seasoned with sesame oil and salt, vegetables, and meat or seafood. All the ingredients are cooked and then rolled in seaweed and sliced into bite-sized pieces. It's perfect as a snack, lunch, or even as a party appetizer.

    Do you eat kimbap with sauce? ›

    The fillings of kimbap are individually seasoned and cooked, making for a very interesting combination of textures and flavors. Everything is well seasoned, so kimbap is not served with any type of dipping sauce. This is what makes it so great for picnics, snacks and road trip food!

    Is onigiri and kimbap same? ›

    Samgak kimbap was first introduced from Japan in the 1990s. Some people describe it as Korean onigiri (오니기리), owing to its similarity to the dish; Onigiri is a general term for Japanese rice balls. However, in Korea, samgak kimbap typically refers to the triangle rice ball fully wrapped with dried seaweed.

    References

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Otha Schamberger

    Last Updated:

    Views: 6435

    Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

    Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Otha Schamberger

    Birthday: 1999-08-15

    Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

    Phone: +8557035444877

    Job: Forward IT Agent

    Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

    Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.