Gimbap
Street snacks
Rice seasoned with sesame oil and salt, rolled with pickled radish, vegetables, egg and often ham or fish cake in a sheet of seaweed, then sliced into rounds.
Why this list cannot be complete
Many Korean restaurants are franchises whose recipes are not published, and shops create their own versions of the same dish. A menu name often does not tell you what is inside. This page covers the traditional recipe and the variations that have spread widely, not every shop.
Gimbap in particular: almost anything can be rolled inside, so shops sell tuna, pork cutlet, cheese, garlic or hot pepper rolls under names you may not have seen before.
When you are not sure what a shop puts in, show your card to say what you cannot eat, or show the list below and ask the staff to point to what is in theirs.
What usually goes in
이 음식에 아래 재료 중 들어가는 것이 있나요?
For the staff: does this dish contain any of the ingredients below?
The rice is mixed with sesame oil instead of the vinegar used in Japanese rolls, and the outside of the roll is often brushed with more oil or sprinkled with seeds.
A strip of thin omelette is one of the standard fillings, rolled in the centre with the radish and vegetables.
Ham is one of the most common fillings, and luncheon meat or pork cutlet versions are sold too.
Fish cake strips and canned tuna are both popular fillings, and a single shop often sells several rolls that differ only in which one is inside.
The route for wheat is the fish cake filling. Fish cake is made from fish paste mixed with wheat flour or starch, so ask whether there is fish cake inside.
Seasoned beef or bulgogi is a common filling, especially in rolls sold as beef gimbap.
Cheese gimbap, with a slice of cheese rolled into the filling, is a popular variety on shop menus.
Kimchi is one of the listed fillings, and kimchi seasoning is usually built on salted anchovy or shrimp — ask whether the roll has kimchi in it.
Salted shrimp is a common kimchi seasoning, so a kimchi roll can carry shrimp even though no shrimp is visible in the slice.
Hot pepper gimbap and bulgogi gimbap season their filling with minced garlic, which is cooked in and not visible in the slice.
Bulgogi gimbap can have minced onion in the beef marinade, where it cooks down and blends into the meat.
The burdock root in a standard roll is braised in soy sauce, and the fish cake or spinach is often seasoned with soy sauce too.
Perilla oil sometimes replaces sesame oil in the rice or spinach seasoning, and some laver is brushed with perilla oil before toasting.
- Usually in it
- Most kitchens put this in. Assume it is there unless the staff tell you otherwise.
- Sometimes in it
- It depends on the recipe and the brand of sauce, so it is worth asking.
- Rarely in it
- The usual recipe does not call for it, but some kitchens still use it.
Checked 13 of the 33 ingredients this site covers. An ingredient that is not listed here has simply not been checked yet — that is not the same as it not being in the dish.
This page describes how the dish is usually made in Korea. Every kitchen works differently, so always show your card and ask the staff before you order.
Going on your card
- Sesame (참깨)
- Eggs (알류)
- Pork (돼지고기)
- Fish (생선)
- Wheat (밀)
- Beef (쇠고기)
- Milk (우유)
- Jeotgal and fish sauce (젓갈 · 액젓)
- Shrimp (새우)
- Garlic (마늘)
- Onion (양파)
- Soybean (대두)
- Perilla seed (들깨 · 들기름)
Common variations
If you see one of these names on a menu, expect the ingredients below on top of the basic dish. Shops differ, so check with the staff.
- 참치 김밥Tuna gimbap
Adds: Fish (생선)
Canned tuna mixed with mayonnaise is rolled inside with perilla leaves.
- 치즈 김밥Cheese gimbap
Adds: Milk (우유)
Sliced cheese or mozzarella is rolled in with the other fillings.
- 돈가스 김밥Pork cutlet gimbap
Adds: Pork (돼지고기), Wheat (밀)
A pork cutlet coated in flour and breadcrumbs, then fried, is rolled inside.
- 소고기 김밥 · 불고기 김밥Beef bulgogi gimbap
Adds: Beef (쇠고기), Soybean (대두)
Beef stir-fried in a soy sauce marinade is used as the main filling.
Diets
- VeganNot suitable
Egg is a standard filling, and ham or fish cake is common.
- Lacto-ovo vegetarianAsk first
Ham, fish cake, tuna or beef is common in the filling — ask for a roll with vegetables and egg only.
- HalalAsk first
Ham is one of the most common fillings, so ask what meat is inside or order it without.
- No porkAsk first
Ham and luncheon meat are common fillings — ask for a roll without them.
Other dishes with the same ingredients
- BibimbapEggs (poultry) · Soybean · Sesame · Garlic — Usually in it / Wheat · Beef · Onion · Fish · Perilla seed (incl. perilla oil and powder) — Sometimes in it
- JapchaeSoybean · Sesame · Garlic — Usually in it / Beef · Pork · Onion · Eggs (poultry) · Wheat · Shrimp · Fish · Perilla seed (incl. perilla oil and powder) — Sometimes in it
- SamgyeopsalPork · Soybean · Sesame · Garlic — Usually in it / Onion · Wheat · Fish · Salted fermented seafood (Jeotgal) & Fish sauce · Shrimp — Sometimes in it
Read more
- Soy in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Sesame in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Eggs in Korean foodWhere this ingredient hides across Korean food
- Gluten-free travel in KoreaWhere wheat hides in sauces and broths
- Vegan dining in KoreaWhere meat and seafood hide in Korean cooking
- Emergency allergy help in KoreaWhat to do and say if a reaction starts
- Halal food in KoreaWhere pork, alcohol, and non-halal meat hide in Korean cooking
- Temple food and Buddhist vegetarian dining in KoreaWhere garlic, green onion, and other pungent vegetables hide
Sources we checked
Each finding on this page lists the recipes and references it is based on. Source titles appear in their original language and are not translated, and each link opens the other site in a new tab.
Show the 23 sources behind each finding
What usually goes in
Sesame · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Eggs · Usually in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Pork · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Fish · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "Eomuk" — mainly Alaska pollock or golden threadfin bream; salt, sugar, flour and starch are necessary ingredients (opens in a new tab)
Wheat · Sometimes in it
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "Eomuk" — mainly Alaska pollock or golden threadfin bream; salt, sugar, flour and starch are necessary ingredients (opens in a new tab)
- 세이프타임즈, 어묵 원재료 표기 기사 — 생선살에 밀가루나 전분을 섞어 만듦 (opens in a new tab)
Beef · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Milk · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Jeotgal and fish sauce · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "Kimchi" — seasoning with jeotgal (salted shrimp in the north, salted anchovy in the south) (opens in a new tab)
Shrimp · Sometimes in it
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia, "Kimchi" — seasoning with jeotgal (salted shrimp in the north, salted anchovy in the south) (opens in a new tab)
Garlic · Sometimes in it
Onion · Sometimes in it
Soybean · Usually in it
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
- 우리의식탁, 「불고기김밥」 — 불고기용 소고기, 양념에 간장 (opens in a new tab)
- Home Cuisine, 「소고기 김밥」 — 다진 소고기를 간장 불고기 양념으로 조리 (opens in a new tab)
- 나무위키, 「김밥」 — 우엉은 간장과 설탕으로 조려 넣음 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「김밥용 우엉조림」 — 간장 3큰술 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「생생정보통 황금레시피 김밥만들기」 — 어묵을 간장으로 조림 (opens in a new tab)
- 만개의레시피, 「기본김밥 김밥 만드는 법」 — 어묵 간장 볶음, 시금치 국간장 (opens in a new tab)
Perilla seed · Sometimes in it
Common variations
참치 김밥 · Tuna gimbap
치즈 김밥 · Cheese gimbap
돈가스 김밥 · Pork cutlet gimbap
소고기 김밥 · 불고기 김밥 · Beef bulgogi gimbap
Diets
Vegan · Not suitable
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Lacto-ovo vegetarian · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Halal · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
No pork · Ask first
- Wikipedia, "Gimbap" — rice seasoned with salt and sesame oil; fillings include danmuji, ham, beef, imitation crab, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, tuna; also cheese, luncheon meat, pork cutlet; gim brushed with sesame oil or sprinkled with sesame seeds (opens in a new tab)
- 위키백과, "김밥" — 소금과 참기름으로 맛을 낸 밥; 시금치 · 단무지 · 당근 · 달걀, 햄 · 어묵 · 게맛살, 소고기 · 참치; 치즈 · 참치 김밥 등 변형; 노리마키의 식초를 참기름으로 바꿈 (opens in a new tab)
Each dish is researched by hand from the sources we checked, and nothing here is generated automatically. Recipes vary from kitchen to kitchen, so always confirm with the staff before you order.