How to Make Korean Kimbap Rolls

If you were to ask my 70-year-old mother whether or not she thought she was a good home cook, she would look away and nervously laugh. She would likely tell you she did not cook much, which was not true. In her mind, she would have had to have been an accomplished cook to even publicly admit she had any ability at all. However, as someone who grew up eating a lot of meals prepared by my mother, not only was she a great cook, but she was an honest one too.

She preferred to make the simplest foods prepared using minimal seasonings. Everything she ever made disappeared quickly as my siblings and I would devour the dishes she made as soon as she plated them in the kitchen. Her specialty was Korean food.

One of our most favorite foods she would prepare was kimbap, a Korean-style sushi roll filled with seasoned meats and vegetables. Unlike traditional Japanese rolls where the sushi rice is seasoned with vinegar and sugar, kimbap rice is typically seasoned with sesame oil and salt and is usually filled with egg, beef, carrots, spinach, pickled daikon, and other ingredients like imitation crab meat or fish cakes. Contrary to what people may believe about this bite-sized food, there is no hard and fast rule as to what ingredients you can use to fill them with.

Today I am sharing with you my recipe. Making kimbap is rather simple and involves spreading rice over a sheet of nori (roasted seaweed) filled with an array of ingredients and tightly rolled. Most people cut them into small pieces, although I personally love eating them as a whole.

Although Koreans are known for their BBQ and kimchi, kimbap is also a very popular dish that is often served during gatherings and picnics. However, this dish could easily be served for dinner or a snack.
One of the ways we love to prepare and serve kimbap is by preparing all the ingredients for the rolls and setting them out for people to make their own, like a taco bar. This way each person can personalize their own roll and enjoy the creative process of making this treasured dish.

If you love sushi, chances are you will love kimbap too. Enjoy!