kimbap

American  

[keem-bop] / ˈkimˌbɒp /

Or gimbap

noun

Korean Cooking.

1. boiled short-grain rice seasoned with sesame oil, cooled, and rolled in a seaweed wrapper with stir-fried vegetables and other cooked ingredients, as thin slices of sautéed beef, scrambled egg, canned tuna, or crabmeat, creating a cylinder-shaped roll that is sliced into bite-size pieces.

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Etymology

Origin of kimbap

First recorded in 1965–70; from Korean kimbap, gimbap, equivalent to gim “an edible seaweed, nori” + -bap “cooked rice”

Example Sentences

She loves to eat kimbap and tteokbokki, earns excellent grades in school and has an impeccable sense of fashion.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

“You’d just chug a kimbap like a hot dog.”

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2025

Appelhans is married to Korean American author Maureen Goo, who provided inspiration to how Rumi is seen practically inhaling a roll of kimbap instead of eating it one at a time in slices.

From Salon • Jun. 27, 2025

Nearby, Bunsik serves kimbap, bibimbap, tteokbokki rice cakes and other Korean street food, and Mix Sushi Bar serves rolls and poke bowls.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 6, 2024

“Grandma, can you buy me snacks? I’m starving, and they got triangle kimbap in the store!”

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh