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    Home » Noodles and Rice

    Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    Published 04/08/2021. Updated 04/08/2021

    Jump to Recipe

    Got some old kimchi? Make ssambap (rice rolls)! A little extra effort to wrap the rice in tangy, crunch kimchi is well worth the effort! 

    DSC9062 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    As you probably know, Koreans make wraps (ssam 쌈) with all kinds of fresh and cooked leafy vegetables — lettuce, perilla leaves, zucchini leaves and cabbages, to name a few. Kimchi is no exception! When pogi kimchi reaches its tangy, sour stage, it’s very tasty as a wrap for meat, rice and other fillings.

    What is ssambap?

    Ssambap (쌈밥) is rice wrapped in a leafy vegetable. Sometimes, rice and vegetables are served separately with ssamjang on the side.  Other times, rice is served pre-wrapped. 

    A little extra effort to wrap the rice in tangy, crunch kimchi turns the ordinary rice into something much more interesting and delicious. It’s a little extra love that makes all the difference. These are portable so ideal for lunch boxes or picnic food.

    DSC 0098 1 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    To use kimchi as a wrap, simply squeeze out the liquid from the kimchi. You can also rinse in water first and then squeeze for a milder taste, especially if your kimchi is very sour. Growing up, we had kimchi wraps quite often in springtime with the kimchi made in late fall. 

    You can serve kimchi separately so each person can make his/her own wraps at the table.

    The rice can be in any form. The first photo is made with rice that’s simply seasoned with salt and sesame oil. The recipe shows ssambap made with fried rice. Sometimes, I enjoy kimchi wraps with plain rice and a dollop of ssamjang or gochujang.

    DSC 0016 e1617929651924 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow  along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    DSC9062 500x500 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    Kimchi ssambap (rice rolls)

    5 from 5 votes
    Main
    Servings: 2
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 10 kimchi leafy parts

    For the fried rice

    • 1/4 medium onion
    • 1/2 small carrot
    • 1/4 small green bell pepper
    • 2 to 3 mushroom caps
    • 3 ounces ground beef
    • oil to stir fry
    • 2 cups cooked rice
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    For the kimchi

    • Squeeze out the liquid from the kimchi, and cut off the thick white part. Alternatively, rinse the kimchi leaves in cold water and squeeze out the liquid.
      DSC 1697 640x428 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    For the fried rice (or simply season the rice with salt and sesame oil to taste)

    • Finely chop the vegetables.
      DSC 5414 640x428 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)
    • Heat a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Cook the ground beef, breaking up into small pieces, until it turns brown, about 2 minutes. Add a tablespoon of the oil and the vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 2 minutes.
      DSC 5428 640x428 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)
    • Add the rice and soy sauce. Stir-fry until all the ingredients are evenly distributed, and the clumped up rice is broken up, 2 to 3 minutes. Lightly season with salt and pepper (remember kimchi is salty). Stir in the sesame oil and seeds at the end.
      DSC 5432 640x428 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)
    • When the fried rice is cool enough to handle, make small rolls by pressing between your palms. The size of the rolls should depend on the size of your kimchi.
      DSC 5446 640x428 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)

    To assemble

    • Place a kimchi leaf on a cutting board. Lay a rice ball near the cut part of the kimchi. Wrap the kimchi around the rice roll, folding in the sides. Roll up all the way. Repeat until all the rice or kimchi is used up.
      DSC 5465 640x428 - Kimchi Ssambap (Rice Rolls)
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

    This recipe was originally posted in April 2014. I’ve updated it here with new photos, more information, and a recipe card. 

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