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Gimbap (김밥)

Rice & Porridge

Seaweed rice rolls — Korea's picnic and lunchbox default.

Korean name
김밥
Spice level
Not spicy
Flavor
savory · sesame
Typically contains
egg
Vegetarian / vegan
Sometimes — vegetable-forward, but anchovy broth, fish sauce or meat garnish is common. Ask first
Also written as
kimbap, kimbob, gim bap, seaweed rice roll

Spice and flavor are editorial assessments of the standard version — individual restaurants and recipes vary. Ingredient notes are typical, not guaranteed: always check with the restaurant for allergies or dietary needs.

Gimbap (김밥)

What is Gimbap?

Gimbap is rice and fillings rolled tight in roasted seaweed and sliced into coins — Korea's picnic food, lunchbox default, and late-night convenience standby. It looks like sushi but isn't: the rice is seasoned with sesame oil and salt, not vinegar, and the fillings are cooked, not raw.

A standard roll runs on egg, ham, spinach, carrot and crunchy yellow radish, but every gimbap shop keeps a whole menu of variations. Cheap, portable and never spicy — arguably the single most beginner-friendly Korean food.

🥢 How to eat it like a local How to Eat Gimbap: Kinds, Ordering, and Kimbap-Shop Survival

Nutrition

Calories140 kcal
Carbohydrate19.98 g
Protein4.84 g
Fat4.55 g
Sodium307 mg

Per serving (~230g): ≈322 kcal · sodium ≈706 mg (35% of the WHO daily guideline, 2,000 mg)

Per 100g · total serving 230g · Official data: National Integrated Food Nutritional Information Standard Data (Korea MFDS) (DB item: 김밥, synced 2026-07-17). Values vary by recipe and portion.

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