Fish, East Asian
Tuna gimbap
Tuna gimbap is a Korean rice and nori roll filled with tuna mayo, carrots, spinach and a thin omelet. This recipe for 4 people takes 50 minutes, needs a medium skill level, and costs about €3.80 per person. The key to success is well seasoned rice and tightly rolled logs that hold together when sliced.
Tonight we're rolling gimbap, these Korean sushi rolls with tuna mayo, great for lunch the next day too.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost per person
- €3.80
- Calories per person
- 710 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
Gimbap looks like sushi but tastes different, the rice is seasoned simply with sesame oil and a pinch of salt instead of vinegar. The tuna mayo filling is soft and rich, the carrots and spinach bring crunch and color, and the thin omelet adds a mild sweetness. It is a dish you eat cold or at room temperature, sliced into rounds you pick up with your fingers.
This is a fun weeknight dinner, kids love helping roll the nori and slicing the rounds with you. It also works great for next day lunchboxes, whether for the office or a picnic. Cooking the vegetables and omelet takes a bit of time, but once everything is ready, rolling goes fast.
The ingredients
Pantry
- Canned tuna in water 2 can
- Sushi riceoften in the pantry 400 g
- Nori sheets 4
- Sesame oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
- Sesame seedsoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Dairy
- Mayonnaise 4 tbsp
- Eggs 4
Fruits and vegetables
- Carrots 2
- Fresh spinach 300 g
- Cucumber 1
Allergens Fish, Eggs, Mustard, Sesame
The step by step recipe
-
Cook the sushi rice, then season it with a tablespoon of sesame oil, the salt, and the sesame seeds. 15 min
Let it cool a bit, too hot and it makes the nori soggy.
-
Mix the drained tuna with the mayonnaise.
Drain it very well, or the roll gets soggy.
-
Cook the julienned carrots and the spinach in a pan, beat the eggs and make a thin omelet to cut into strips. 10 min
Press the spinach to squeeze out all the water.
-
Lay a nori sheet on a rolling mat, spread the rice leaving 2 cm bare at the top, then arrange tuna, egg, carrot, spinach, and cucumber.
Do not overfill, an overstuffed roll falls apart.
-
Roll it up tightly, pressing firmly, and brush with sesame oil.
A good mat shapes the roll, squeeze it like a sushi roll.
-
Slice into 2 cm rounds with a wet knife and serve.
Wipe the blade between cuts so the slices stay clean.
Our tips to get it right
- Spread the rice in a thin, even layer with slightly wet fingers, it keeps it from sticking and makes rolling easier.
- Prep every filling before you start rolling, assembly needs to be quick so the nori does not get soggy.
- If you do not have a bamboo mat, a sturdy piece of parchment paper works fine to roll the log tight.
The variations
- Swap the tuna for smoked salmon or flaked surimi mixed with the mayo for a different flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the tuna with sliced smoked tofu or mashed avocado.
- For a quicker version, use a store bought cooked omelet and raw shredded carrots instead of the cooked julienne.
What to serve it with
- A hot bowl of miso soup
- A vinegared cucumber salad
- Unsweetened green tea
Storage
Gimbap keeps for 1 to 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container, the rice firms up a bit over time. It does not freeze well, the rice turns mushy once thawed. Let the rolls sit out briefly before serving so they are not too cold.
Questions about this dish
Can I use regular rice instead of sushi rice?
Sushi rice is stickier thanks to its starch, which holds the rolls together. Well cooked short grain rice can work in a pinch, but the slices will be less firm.
Can gimbap be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can roll them a few hours ahead and keep them wrapped in the fridge. It is best to slice them right before serving so the rounds stay clean.
How do I keep the nori from getting soggy?
Brush the inside with sesame oil as noted in the tip, and avoid placing still warm rice on the sheet. Serve the gimbap within a few hours of rolling.
Can kids help make this?
Yes, kids usually love this step, especially rolling and slicing the rounds. Leave the omelet cooking and knife work to an adult.
How long does it take to make some tuna gimbap?
Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.
How many calories are in some tuna gimbap?
About 710 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does some tuna gimbap cost?
About €3.80 per serving, or €15.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains fish, eggs, mustard, sesame. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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