FatManSeoul » gimbap

California Roll vs. Gimbap?

fatmanseoul — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 07:00:18 +0000

New in your local mini-mart, “American-style” california rolls are starting to show up on the shelves. Unlike Korean gimbap, these rolls bear a superficial resemblance to the vinegary rice rolls of Japan, makizushi. When sushi hit America, these rolls were tinkered with to suit westernized tastes, including introducing sauces and novel fillings like avacado and mayonnaise. In the US and Canada, pre-packaged california rolls and other kinds of sushi have been available for years at most large grocery stores.

Now at last you can have (kindof) the same experience of picking up a quick sushi pack: 7-11 has introduced a series of “california rolls” with various fish fillings (your choice of tuna or salmon) with mayo in an inside-out roll, and some spread-it-yourself wasabi cream sauce. Fine dining, this is not. In fact, there’s little to set it apart from the average roll of gimbap besides pre-slicing and fewer fillings. It’ll also cost you roughly twice as much as a single roll of ministop gimbap, so prepare yourself.

Both the salmon and tuna varieties rely on inexpensive canned fish that’s been mixed with rice and mayo. The crab version is made from imitation krab meat, and none of the varieties have been encumbered by any avocado, cucumber, or other vegetal matter, though there is a sprinkling of roe on the outsides of the rolls. You could do worse for a quick snack, but you can also do better, even at the minimart. Go get yourself a gimbap instead for a much better value and more flavor.

찜닭김밥?

fatmanseoul — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:52:25 +0000

Ok, everybody knows Andong is famous for its Jjimdalk. This steamy dish of chicken, glass noodles, and vegetables in a rich, spicy sauce has enchanted (or burned the tastebuds) of many a diner. But alas! It was hard to fit a plate of jjimdalk in your pocket . . . until now!

Look for Nonghyeop brand Andong Jjimdalk-flavored jumokbap in a convenience store near you! These jumeokbap of the samgak variety are flavored with a jjimdalk sauce and stuffed with a little bit of chicken, glass noodles, and carrot. A very little bit.

As you might expect, the flavor profile resembles its progenitor only in the most mild way. They’ve managed to capture a bit of the soy and sweetness, but spice is only suggested. The noodles, after sitting in the refrigerator case of the local 7-11 for a few days get a little mushy, and the carrot and chicken are so minuscule you’ll wonder if you’re just imagining them. It’s still a pretty decent tasting gimbap, and at a measly 700 won won’t bust anybody’s budget, but this will NOT satisfy your craving for real jjimdalk.

골뱅이 김밥: Snail Kimbap

fatmanseoul — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:27:53 +0000

One of the real joys of the neighborhood independent bunshik (snack) stand is that without a menu dictated by management, they can really play with available ingredients.

우리 주변에서 쉽게 찾아볼 수 있는 동네 작은 분식점. 그곳에서는 특별히 잘 준비된 요리법 없이도, 적당한 재료를 찾아서 아주 멋진 요리를 만들어 내곤 한다.

Fatman was able to try something new and unique at the Twins Gimbap (쌍둥이 김밥) on Chamsali Street (참살이길: Good Living Street) right outside Anam Station exit three. For 2,500원 we had our first ever snail-filled rice rolls! Alongside the usual fixings of egg, lettuce, radish, carrot and ham along side small slices of spicy snail. They’re ever so slightly meaty and chewy for a nice contrast with the crunch and snap of the veggies.

이번에 Fatman이 찾은 곳은 안암역 3번 출구 앞, “참살이길”에 위치한 “쌍둥이 김밥”이다. 우리는 이곳에서 아주 새롭고 특별한 맛을 찾을 수 있었다. 바로 골뱅이 김밥이 그것이다. 가격은 1인분에 2500원. 김밥 안에는 매콤하게 양념한 골뱅이가 달걀, 양상추, 단무지, 햄과 함께 들어가 있다. 아삭아삭 씹히는 야채들과 함께 어우러진 골뱅이는 김밥에 씹는 맛을 더해준다.