• Meaning
Kim(or Gim) means dried seaweed in Korean
Bap( or bop) means rice.
: a Korean staple food consisting of steamed rice rolled up in dried seaweek, usually along with vegetables and/or some kind of protein.
• Kimbap is considered to be one of the best fast foods available for anyone on-the-go or catering to outdoor events.
• There are restaurant frnachise specializing in such Kimbap and cam come in all forms and shapes. Popular franchise chains that specialize in Kimbap:
Kimbap Heaven(김밥천국)
Gimgane(김家네)
Gobongmin Kimbap(고봉민김밥)
Kimbap is the closest native Korean equivalent of Western fast food and it is everywhere. Kim or Gim means dried seaweed in Korean, and bap or bop means rice. Kimbap(김밥) is not considered fine or fancy fare in Korea. It is actually picnic and snack food that you eat with your hands. Traditional fillings include seasoned vegetables egg, meat and/or imitation crab, but these days anything goes. Kimbap is like the Korean version of a sandwich - you can change the filling to fit any diet, palate, or occasion. For example, Chamchi(tuna in Korean) Kimbap is filled with tuna and other vegetables, kimchi kimbap features kimchi as one of its stars, Chunmu kimbap is a rice-only roll from the city of Chungmu in Korea.
What's Inside Kimbap?
Essentially, Kimbap is made from white rice and various other yummies of your choice, which are then all rolled up in some kim(pronounced kheem), or roasted seaweed. You can use nori as well.
In addition, you can put any ingredient in Kimbap. In other words, fillings vary enormously - vegetables are mixed with meat, pickles, and spicy sauces. I usually include bulgogi, spinach, carrots, omelette, cucumber and odeng, but this is just one possible combination out of the millions that exist.
• Key characteristics of successful Kimbap
- Kimbap stays tight and stable, not falling off or seaweed paper peeling off.
- Yummy ingredients are nicely located in the center, not running away toward the edge.
- Each ingredient, including rice, is seasoned.
Many foreigners question what is the difference between Japanese Sushi and Korean Kimbap. But, actually, there are two big differences: the rice and the filling.
While sushi rice is seasoned with sugar, salt and vinegar, Kimbap is seasoned just with salt and sesame oil. As for the fillings, while the Japanese incorporate mostly raw fish(tuna, salmon, chopped scallops), in Korea the inside layer consists of cooked or preserved items like canned tuna, kimchi, grilled bulgogi and ham and cheese.
