Storing & Using Extra Gimbap (김밥)

Gimbap does not keep well in the fridge. As you know, cooked rice will dry out in the fridge and if you store premade Gimbap rolls in the fridge for an event they will be ruined if stored in the fridge. Most Korean moms wake up early to make Gimbap for their children to enjoy on field trips or for lunch the same day the event takes place.

So, what if you have an event and need to make a lot of Gimbap? The best way to prep for Gimbap is to prep all the ingredients that you plan to roll into the Gimbap into containers but do not roll it together until you are ready to eat the Gimbap. 

For example, cook the egg, blanch the ham, etc. Then place all the ingredients into separate containers in the fridge. 

Keep in mind that Gimbap only lasts 1 day once it is made but do not worry you can repurpose leftover Gimbap into other dishes.

If you made some Gimbap and you have leftovers or accidentally made too much, then you can repurpose the Gimbap rolls these two ways. 

Gimbap Pancake:

1. Take your slices of Gimbap that you no longer plan to enjoy as “regular” Gimbap and store them in the fridge. Any left-over Gimbap can be stored in the fridge if you do not plan to eat them as a plain Gimbap roll. 
2. Take the slices and dredge them in flour. Shake off the excess flour and then dip the Gimbap into a separate bowl of whisked eggs. Immediately after dipping the Gimbap into the flour and egg, add it to a medium low heated pan will oil and fry it on each side until completely cooked. 
3. Serve the Gimbap with a pancake dipping sauce while still warm. 

Stir fried Gimbap:

1. You can save your rice and ingredients in the Gimbap by making a simple stir-fried rice. 
2. When you store left-over Gimbap in the fridge the rice will dry out. If we were to enjoy the Gimbap as a roll, we would want to avoid this but when using the left-over Gimbap to make fried rice, the dried out rice works perfectly for making fried rice because it will not get soggy when fried.
3. On medium high heat, add some oil to the pan and crumble the left-over Gimbap into the pan and stir fry it until it is completely heated.
4. It is optional to add whisked egg, more rice, or even green onion to give the fried rice more flavor. You can adjust the fried rice as you desire.
   1. If you want to add whisked egg, cook it first in the oil completely, then take it out of the pan or push it to the side before adding the Gimbap.
   1. If you want to add more rice, then add the rice when you add the Gimbap.
   1. If you want to add green onion, add the white section of the green onion to the oil and make a flavored oil. Then add the Gimbap and heat it completely. Finish the fried rice off with the green part of the green onion sliced thinly as a garnish.