About Kimbap
Kimbap, also spelled as “gimbap” or “kimbob,” is a beloved Korean dish that consists of seaweed-wrapped rolls filled with various ingredients. It’s a staple of Korean cuisine and a popular snack or meal option.
The main components of kimbap include steamed white rice, seasoned with vinegar and sugar, and a variety of fillings. Common fillings include vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and spinach, along with pickled radish and strips of cooked egg. Additionally, kimbap can feature protein elements like bulgogi (marinated beef), ham, or crab sticks.
After arranging the fillings on a sheet of seaweed (nori), the rice and ingredients are tightly rolled together, often using a bamboo mat. The roll is then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Kimbap is typically served with soy sauce or a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings.
Kimbap is cherished for its convenience, delicious flavors, and versatility, making it a popular choice for picnics, lunchboxes, or quick meals in Korea and beyond.
Best Kimbap Restaurants In Seoul
1. 마리왕 잠실광장점 (Mariking)
Located within Jamsil Station, Mariking offers a variety of addictive bite-sized kimbap and premium kimbap designed with health in mind. Our franchise has introduced these options to cater to all ages. You can enjoy the charmingly small-sized kimbap and the health-conscious premium kimbap.
Furthermore, we source over 10 types of fresh fish cakes directly from Busan, which can be enjoyed as accompaniments to our kimbap. Come and savor the flavors of Mariking, where we blend tradition with a modern twist to create a delightful dining experience.
Location: 서울 송파구 올림픽로 265 지하2층 (265, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
Operating hours: 06:30-22:30
Shop number: 0507-1431-1377
2. 수아당 (Suadang)
Located just outside Exit 1 of Sungshin Women’s University Station, this eatery is incredibly famous as one of Seoul’s top three kimbap restaurants. With approximately 30 different varieties of kimbap, these rolls are not only large in size but also offer the best in taste and nutritional value. Please note that there are no seating options available; it’s strictly for takeout.
Location: 서울 성북구 동소문로20가길 33 (33, Dongsomun-ro 20ga-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
Operating hours: 07:00-23:00 Last Order 22:00
Shop number: 0507-1367-0625
3. 오월의 김밥
Located near Exit 1 of Nakseongdae Station, this snack bar offers affordable kimbap and rice balls priced around 5,000 won. We take pride in hand-preparing and crafting each ingredient with care to create our dishes. Please give it a try and experience the difference for yourself.
Location: 서울 관악구 봉천로 605 102호 (605, Bongcheon-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
Operating hours: 08:00-14:00 Day Off Mondays
Shop number: 02-876-7792
4. 통통김밥 남대문시장점 (TongTong Kimbap)
‘Tongtong Kimbap’ is located near the Seoul City Hall Station and Namdaemun Market. Renowned for its deliciousness, the restaurant even received an order of 500 rolls from the Blue House, where the President of South Korea resides. This eatery, also known as a favorite spot of the famous personality Lee Young-ja, attracts daily queues of customers. The harmonious blend of hot rice and flavorful seaweed is exceptional, with the signature dish, ‘Healthy Brown Rice Kimbap,’ featuring nutritious brown rice, seasoned greens, carrots, and eggs. Other options include tuna, spam and egg, spicy pickled radish, anchovies, and squid, offering a variety of choices to suit different tastes.
Location: 서울 중구 남대문시장2가길 6-13 (6-13, Namdaemunsijang 2ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
Operating hours: 07:00-17:00 Break Time 14:30-15:10 Last Order 16:00 Day Off Sundays
Shop number: 02-3789-4834
5. 한입소반 (Hanipsoban)
The signature dish at this place is the “Aged Kimchi Tuna Kimbap,” a subtly seasoned yet irresistibly flavorful roll. This kimbap, with ingredients such as aged kimchi, tuna, rolled omelette, pickled radish, carrots, fish cake, burdock root, and chives, offers a rich and satisfying taste. The combination of the refreshing flavor of aged kimchi and the nutty sauce inside the tuna creates a delightful and savory experience that lingers in the memory.
Location: 서울 용산구 청파로45길 3 1층 (3, Cheongpa-ro 45-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea)
Operating hours: 07:00-19:00
Shop number: 02-701-4417
