Description
Classic Korean Gimbap (or Kimbap) is a savory seaweed rice roll filled with seasoned rice, cooked vegetables, beef, egg strips, and pickled radish. It’s perfect for picnics, lunchboxes, or a flavorful make-ahead snack.
Ingredients
4 sheets gim (Korean dried seaweed)
1.5 cups uncooked short-grain rice
1 tbsp sesame oil (for rice)
Salt to taste
8 oz lean beef (thin strips)
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp rice wine or mirin
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp sesame oil (for beef)
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 bunch spinach (blanched and seasoned)
2 medium carrots, julienned and stir-fried
4 strips pickled radish (danmuji)
2 eggs (cooked into omelette and sliced)
1–2 sheets fish cake (optional, lightly pan-fried)
Instructions
- Rinse and cook the rice using slightly less water than usual. Keep it warm.
- Mix hot rice with 1 tbsp sesame oil and salt. Set aside.
- Season beef with soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Cook in a skillet until browned.
- Blanch spinach, squeeze excess water, and season with sesame oil and salt.
- Stir-fry julienned carrots until softened. Lightly salt.
- Cook eggs into a thin omelette, cool, and slice into strips.
- (Optional) Lightly pan-fry fish cake strips with soy sauce and sesame oil.
- Place a gim sheet shiny-side down on a bamboo mat. Spread 3/4–1 cup rice evenly, leaving a top edge uncovered.
- Arrange beef, spinach, carrots, pickled radish, egg, and fish cake across the rice in a line.
- Roll up tightly from the bottom, sealing with a bit of rice if needed.
- Brush roll with sesame oil for gloss.
- Slice into bite-sized pieces using a sharp, oiled knife. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use slightly less water when cooking rice for better texture.
Gimbap is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for up to 1 day wrapped tightly.
You can pan-fry leftover slices for a crispy texture.
Customizable with other proteins like tuna, mushrooms, or cheese.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and sauces.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Rolling
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
