Mini Gimbap (Kko-ma Gimbap)
Homemade Mini Gimbap for Kids! The Secret to Delicious Egg Mini Gimbap
I made mini gimbap for the kids! I usually avoid ham these days, so I made it without, and it was still plenty delicious. I added the sweet and savory braised burdock root that I made the day before as a side dish, which gave it a wonderfully crunchy texture and amazing flavor. When the kids come home after playing energetically with friends, the first thing they ask is always about dinner. When I told them it was gimbap, they got so excited! Gimbap is always a popular menu item for children, isn’t it? Since the kids love it, I got even more excited and rolled and rolled~ I diligently made these mini gimbap!
Ingredients for Mini Gimbap- 3 sheets of gimbap seaweed (cut in half lengthwise)
- 2 bowls of freshly cooked rice
- A portion of sweet and savory braised burdock root
- 1 fresh carrot
- 3 fresh eggs
- 2 pinches of fine salt
- 1.5 imitation crab sticks
- 3 pieces of pickled radish (danmuji)
- A little sesame oil
- A sprinkle of sesame seeds
Rice Seasoning- 3 pinches of fine salt
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 pinches of fine salt
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the carrot thoroughly and thinly julienne it using a peeler. If you don’t have a peeler, you can also slice it thinly with a knife. (Tip: For about 6 rolls of mini gimbap, one carrot is usually sufficient. Preparing a bit extra can be useful for other dishes the next day.)
Step 2
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the julienned carrots and sauté lightly for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle in 2 pinches of salt during cooking for seasoning. (Tip: Lightly stir-frying the carrots enhances their sweetness and softens their texture.)
Step 3
Crack the 3 eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and whisk well. Pour the mixture thinly into a lightly oiled pan and cook over low heat until set, creating thin egg crepes.
Step 4
Don’t cut the cooked egg crepes immediately while they are hot. Let them cool slightly, then roll them up tightly and slice them into desired widths for the gimbap. (Tip: Using plenty of egg makes the gimbap richer and more delicious!)
Step 5
Prepare the imitation crab sticks to fit the gimbap size. We’re using 1.5 sticks; first, cut them in half lengthwise, then cut them again to match the length of the seaweed. Cut the pickled radish in half lengthwise as well.
Step 6
I utilized the sweet and savory braised burdock root that I prepared the previous day. It pairs wonderfully with mini gimbap. (Tip: While it’s an excellent side dish for rice, it makes a fantastic filling for simple gimbap!)
Step 7
In a bowl, combine 2 bowls of freshly cooked rice with 3 pinches of salt, 1.5 Tbsp of sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds. Gently mix to avoid crushing the rice grains. Let the seasoned rice cool slightly. (Note: The picture omits the rice seasoning step, but be sure to mix it in.)
Step 8
Cut the gimbap seaweed sheets in half lengthwise. Spread a thin layer of the seasoned rice over about two-thirds of the seaweed sheet. (Tip: Using a minimal amount of rice is key to achieving those perfectly sized mini gimbap that fit easily into a child’s mouth. The rice amount in the photo is a bit generous, so keep that in mind!)
Step 9
Arrange the prepared ingredients – carrots, egg crepes, imitation crab sticks, pickled radish, and burdock root – neatly over the rice on the seaweed. Avoid overfilling, as this can cause the gimbap to burst.
Step 10
You don’t need a bamboo mat! Gently press down with both hands and roll the gimbap firmly. Lightly moisten the edge of the seaweed with water to help it seal and prevent unraveling. (Tip: Even if it feels a bit clumsy at first, you’ll get the hang of making pretty rolls with practice.)
Step 11
Brush a thin layer of sesame oil over the outside of the finished mini gimbap for a glossy finish. You can use a pastry brush or coat your gloved hand with sesame oil. Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds for a fragrant and appetizing touch. Your delicious mini gimbap is now complete!
