Kimbap (김밥)

I’m a confessed Korean drama fan, so much that I’m also interested in their food. My favorite is kimbap. Kimbap (김밥) is a popular Korean “fast” food made from steamed white rice (bap) and various other ingredients, rolled in kim (sheets of dried seaweed, or nori in japanese) and served cold in bite-size slices. Kimbap is often eaten during picnics or outdoor events, or as a light lunch, served with kimchi. It is often mistakenly referred to as sushi, but I think they are different. Kimbap has no raw fish and wasabi, the ingredients are usually cooked, except for the veggies. Before preparing my own version, I surf the net and went to the supermarket to buy the following ingredients: 

• 1 pack Nori (seaweed wraps)

• 1 ½ cup of rice (ordinary rice will do)

• 1 cucumber (medium)

• 1 carrots (medium)

• 1 pack sweet regular ham (or crab meat stick)

• 2 eggs

• vinegar

• soysauce

• salt

• brown sugar (or honey if available)

                      Nori Wraps

                

 

 

                                  The bamboo mat is very important!

 

PROCEDURES

RICE

The rice that is use in making kimbap is not available here, or if available, it is way too expensive. I made use of the ordinary rice which is a staple in any Filipino home. I tried using “malagkit” (sticky) rice before, but it’s too soft and sticky, making it difficult to roll and cut the kimbap.

• Directions: Wash 1 ½ cup of rice, after washing add 1 ½ cup of water (you can use a rice cooker, in my case I prefer to cook rice in pot). Steam rice until it is cooked.

 

SEASONING

Mix 2 tablespoon of vinegar, ½ tablespoon of brown sugar (or honey if available) and ½ tablespoon of salt. In a large bowl, sprinkle the seasoning over the cooked rice. Mix to spread the seasoning evenly. The seasoning adds flavor to the rice.

 

EGGS

Beat two eggs, add a pinch of salt to taste. Quickly fry it in a pan with little oil. Make sure to use a flat frying pan to spread the egg evenly into a thin layer. Slice the egg into strips.

 

HAM

I was supposed to buy crab stick, but unfortunately it was not available, so ham is my alternative. Since ham is already precooked, just fry it quickly in a hot pan. Slice the ham into strips. If you will be using crab stick, just steam it to cook.

 

CUCUMBER & CARROT

Wash cucumber and carrot, and slice into strips. I prefer not to peel them (their skin is rich in vitamins!).

 

                                                 All set… let’s roll!

ROLLING

Place a seaweed sheet over the bamboo mat. Spread rice over, occupying ¾ of the seaweed sheet. Make sure to leave the ¼ top empty (this will seal the roll). Lay the sliced egg, ham, cucumber and carrots over the rice. The goal here is to place all the fillings at the middle when rolled.

Using the bamboo mat, roll the kimbap. When you reach the top end, slightly release the mat, and continue to roll the kimbap into the empty end of the seaweed sheet (at first it was difficult to roll the kimbap properly, and then I discover this technique). This will seal the roll neatly. Make sure to press it firmly to pack all the fillings inside.

Slice the kimbap using a sharp knife. Wipe the knife with a wet cloth whenever it gets sticky.

 

DIP/SAUCE

Mix 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, ½ teaspoon brown sugar (or honey) and a pinch of salt. Just adjust the measurement according to your taste. You can buy a ready made sauce, but it’s so expensive! Then finally, arrange the sliced kimbap in a plate. Serve and enjoy!

 

At first, I doubtful if my kimbap will taste like kimbap he he he.. But so far, I think it was a success. My mother and brother liked it, as well as my colleagues (I brought some for lunch at work). The most challenging part for me in the preparation of kimbap is rolling! At first it was so difficult to roll it firmly. My first roll was too loose, so it was impossible to cut it! Well, practice makes perfect, I guess ha ha!  I wonder what will be my next project, Pajeon or Japchae? Hmmm…

    My Kimbap, it was so difficult to pack the stuff in the middle of the roll

 

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Random Song of the Day:

BRIGHTER THAN SUNSHINE by Aqualung, also known as Matt Hales, from London. This song is included in his 2003 album “Still Life”. This track became a hit in US, after it was featured in a romantic film “A Lot Like Love” (2005) starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet.