Gimbap: The Art of Korean Sushi Rolls

Introduction

Gimbap, often referred to as Korean sushi rolls, is a popular dish in Korea, known for its delicious taste and nutritional value. This dish is a perfect blend of rice, vegetables, and proteins, all rolled up in a sheet of seaweed. The key to a great Gimbap lies in the balance of flavors and textures, and this recipe from Live Info Show’s Golden Recipe series offers just that.

Ingredients (for 8 rolls)

• Cooked rice
• Seaweed sheets (specially for Gimbap): 12
• Ham: 8 slices
• Pickled radish (Danmuji): 8 pieces
• Cucumber: 1 and 1/2
• Carrot: 1
• Fish cakes: 2 sheets
• Eggs: 3
• Crab sticks: 4 (optional)

Seasoning for Rice

• Sesame oil
• Salt
• Soy sauce
• Cooking wine (Mirim)
• Corn syrup

Instructions

• Measure the rice using a mug cup; about one and a half cups should be enough for 6 rolls. If you have leftover ingredients, you can make up to 8 rolls.
• Beat 3 eggs with a pinch of salt and 2 tablespoons of water, and cook them into a thick omelet. Slice it into long strips.
• Julienne the carrot and blanch it for 30 seconds, then rinse in cold water and season with salt. Blanching instead of frying retains the carrot’s crunchy texture.
• Slice the cucumber into thin strips, avoiding the seeds as they contain a lot of moisture.
• Slice the fish cakes thickly and stir-fry with half a tablespoon of sugar, one tablespoon of soy sauce, one tablespoon of cooking wine, and a quarter cup of water until the liquid reduces.

• You can use the ham as is or slightly boil it. For the recipe, use 2 slices of ham, but you can adjust according to your preference or replace it with crab sticks.
• Prepare pickled radish and burdock root (if using fresh burdock root, prepare it with sugar, soy sauce, cooking wine, and corn syrup).
• Once the rice is cooked, mix it with sesame oil and salt in a 3:1 ratio and let it cool down.
• To assemble the Gimbap, spread a thin layer of rice on the rough side of a seaweed sheet. Place the ingredients in the following order: cucumber, carrot, burdock root, fish
• cake, ham, egg omelet, and pickled radish.

• Roll the Gimbap tightly using a bamboo mat, then slice it into bite-sized pieces.

This Gimbap recipe is not only delicious but also allows for a creative and healthy meal, perfect for picnics, lunches, or as a snack. Enjoy the harmony of flavors and textures in each bite!