Mini Gimbap: Bite-Sized Korean Rice Rolls
How to Make Delicious and Easy Mini Gimbap
Perfect for a weekend treat or a quick meal! These super simple mini gimbap (kimbap) are a delightful addition to any occasion.
Ingredients
- Seaweed sheets (gim), cut in half horizontally (approx. 6-8 pieces)
- Imitation crab sticks (mat-sal), 3-4 sticks
- Sliced ham, 3-4 slices
- Stir-fried kimchi (store-bought or homemade), 1 cup
- Eggs, 2-3
- Cooked rice, 2 bowls
- Seasonings (sesame oil, salt, sesame seeds) for rice, a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the imitation crab sticks and ham by cutting them to match the width of your half-sized seaweed sheets. For the crab sticks, simply cut them in half lengthwise. Then, cut the ham to the same length as the crab sticks. Ensure they aren’t too thin, or they might break apart.
Step 2
Whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt and cook them into thin omelets. Once cooked, cut the egg omelets into strips that match the length of the crab sticks and ham. If you have pickled radish (danmuji) or fish cakes (eomuk) at home, feel free to add them as well. Make sure your stir-fried kimchi isn’t too watery; gently squeeze out any excess liquid before using.
Step 3
Cut each full sheet of seaweed (gim) in half horizontally. Using a quarter-sized piece can be too small and make rolling difficult, so the half-sheet size is ideal for these mini gimbap.
Step 4
Spread the cooked rice thinly and evenly over the seaweed. At this stage, the rice is not seasoned separately, as the fillings will provide enough flavor. Gently spread the rice so it doesn’t clump. For added flavor, you can mix a little sesame oil and sesame seeds into the rice before spreading.
Step 5
Arrange the prepared ingredients on the rice-covered seaweed: imitation crab stick, ham, egg omelet strip, and stir-fried kimchi. Don’t overfill, or the seaweed might tear. Start from the edge closest to you and roll tightly, encasing the fillings. To help seal the roll, you can lightly mash a few grains of rice along the edge of the seaweed to act as ‘glue’.
Step 6
These mini gimbap are best enjoyed warm! They are the perfect bite-sized snack or light meal for both kids and adults. You can serve them with soy sauce or a soy-wasabi dipping sauce if you like. Enjoy your delicious, delightful mini gimbap! Yum yum!
