Gimbap 김밥, sometimes spelt as “Kimbap” and described as “Korean sushi,” is a dish originating from South Korea.
Made from steamed white rice (bap) and various other ingredients, all neatly wrapped in sheets of dried seaweed (gim), this dish is both versatile and flavourful.
Its fillings can range from beef, fish, and vegetables to more modern and fusion-inspired combinations.
While Gimbap’s roots are firmly planted in Korean culture, it has found a passionate following in Singapore, thanks in part to the Hallyu wave.
From specialised Korean eateries and even supermarkets, this dish is now widely accessible.
Whether you are in popular areas like Tanjong Pagar or Orchard Road, or exploring heartland neighbourhoods, Gimbap 김밥 is just around the corner.
Be ready to tantalise your taste buds these Gimbap gems:
FUTORU at Market Blue
Tanglin Mall B1-125, 163 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247933
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Mon – Sun)
The menu at FUTORU at Market Blue (Tanglin Mall) crafts a broad spectrum, offering Rice Gimbop with diverse fillings from the rich Bulgogi to the robustly flavoured Kimchi Tuna.
The Bulgogi Rice Gimbop ($13.90 for a set of 10 pieces), was a dance between healthful and hearty.
The bulgogi – tender, mildly sweet, and savoury beef – was juxtaposed against the rice, presenting a meal that leaned towards healthy and wholesome.
Navigating towards a lighter route, FUTORU has also introduced Egg Gimbop without the rice, filled with varied fillings such as Bacon Cream Cheese, Spicy Fish Cake, Shrimp, Tuna, Bulgogi, and Hotdog.
Furthermore, they haven’t forsaken those adhering to a low-carb or keto lifestyle, offering options generously filled with vibrant greens called the “Green Keto Gimbop”.
Read more at: FUTORU at Market Blue (Tanglin Mall)
Koryo Jeong 고려정
International Plaza #01-50, 10 Anson Road, Singapore 079903
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 6pm (Mon – Sat), Closed Sun
Less of a restaurant but more of a takeaway stand, Koryo Jeong 고려정 at International Plaza makes popular small bites that transports you to the streets of Seoul.
Among a crowd of eateries with long queues, Koryo Jeong has the least waiting time if you are looking for something quick, such as boxes of Gimbap.
The Bulgogi Gimbap stands out as a hearty choice. It is packed with beef bulgogi, carrot, cucumber, crabsticks, and yellow pickled radish.
The beef flavour shines, complemented by a refreshing crunch – great for a quick bite.
Read more at: Koryo Jeong 고려정 (International Plaza)
Friends Kimbap 펑요김밥
Orchard Gateway B1-11, 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Friends Kimbap 펑요김밥 found at Orchard Gateway basement is said to be the Number Gimbap store in Shanghai, though the menu also printed it “originated from Korea”.
Ranging from Tuna Kimbap ($10.90), Roast Beef Kimbap ($10.90), Classic Kimbap ($8.50), Cheese Kimbap ($9), Kimchi Kimbap ($9.90), Fried Pork Kimbap ($11.90), and Crab Meat Kimbap ($11.90), diners are spoilt for choice.
There are also low-carb versions in which the rice is replaced by egg.
The Gimbap here is rolled and cut by separate machines, with human hands involved primarily for inserting ingredients and brushing on sauces.
Read more at: Friends Kimbap 펑요김밥 (Orchard Gateway)
Gangnam Cafe
896 Dunearn Road, Link@896, Sime Darby Centre #01-07, Singapore 589472
Opening Hours: 10am – 9:30pm, Last Order 8pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Their main sell at Gangnam Cafe at Bukit Timah’s Link@896 is a range of Bingsu ang Gimbap.
Dig into one of the Bulgogi Gimbap ($13.90), Shrimp Gimbap ($13.90), Tuna Mayo Gimbap ($13.90), and Crab Mayo Gimbap ($13.90).
While the pricing seemed higher than the Korean cafe, the Bulgogi Gimbap was was a well-made one, with savoury-sweet flavours of the marinated beef contrasting with the crisp vegetables and fluffy rice.
Read more at: Gangnam Cafe (Bukit Timah)
Rolling Rice
Marina Square #02-105A, Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 9:30pm (Sun – Thurs), 11:30am – 9:30pm (Fri – Sat)
Rolling Rice in Marina Square is different as Gimbap is their house specialty where they churn out plates after plates.
There are a whopping 10 versions of Gimbap called “Baby Roll” on the menu, leaving you constantly in a dilemma.
For your benefit, the Gimbap come in Traditional ($9.90), Salmon & Cheese, Fried Prawn, Tuna, Bulgogi, Bacon & Ranch, Pork Cutlet, Crispy Chicken, Spam, and Vegetable ($6.90 for the rest of the flavours).
I had the Homemade Pork Cutlet Roll ($6.90) with lettuce which was not too bad for its price – could do with more fragrant and seasoned rice?
Read more at: Rolling Rice (Marina Square)
Nunsaram Korean Dessert Café – Bugis
Bugis Junction #01-70, 200 Victoria Street, Singapore 188021
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
Nunsaram Korean Dessert Caféis one of the forerunners in Singapore when it comes to Korean Bingsu, the famous icy Korean dessert.
If there is space or you are still having Extraordinary Attorney Woo withdrawals, order a roll of Gimbap.
The Original Gimbap ($10.90) features chicken ham, burdock, yellow pickled radish, cucumber, carrot and egg.
Also try variants with beef bulgogi, tuna-kimchi, tuna-mayo, crab-mayo, cream cheese, and fried shrimp.
Read more at: Nunsaram Korean Dessert Café (Bugis Junction)
88 Pocha
26A Lor Mambong Singapore 277685 (Holland Village)
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 12am (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 12am (Sat – Sun)
957 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534717
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5:30pm – 12am (Mon – Sun)
Modern Pojangmacha (which translates to “covered wagon”) seems to be quite trending of late in Singapore, for K-food lovers to grab hearty Korean specialities, street food style items, and a drink or two.
88 Pocha is a Pojangmacha 포장마차 (Pocha 포차) that opened at Holland Village at the Lor Mambong stretch and Upper Serangoon Road.
The Sausage Gimbap ($11.88) is a large-sized rice roll with sliced sausages in the middle, rolled with seaweed.
The taste was a delicious mix of the sesame oil’s nuttiness, saltiness from the seaweed, and the sausage’s savoury meatiness.
Read more at: 88 Pocha (Holland Village)
The Butcher’s Dining
593 Havelock Road, Singapore 169641
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 8pm (Tues – Thurs), 10:30am – 10:30pm (Fri – Sat), 10:30am – 10pm (Sun), Closed Mon
This is probably the place to head to should you want to get meats to try Korean BBQ-ing at home, and fuss-free meal kits.
There are also meal kits so that you can prepare anything from Braised Pork Kimchi JJim to Gal-bi-jjim to Shabu Shabu right at home.
There was the Spicy Pork Kimbap which features slices of spicy pork and an ensemble of crunchy vegetables enveloped within.
I had the Bulgogi Kimbap with the bulgogi in a house-marinade sauce and spicy mayo; and liked that it was packed with ingredients with the cabbage, carrot and perilla leaf providing a refreshing crunch.
While they have changed their dine-in menu from time to time, and you may not get the Kimbap for dine-in, chilled versions are still available for takeaways.
O.BBa Jjajang
77 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088498
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon, Wed – Fri), 11:30am – 3:30pm, 5pm – 10pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Tues
O.BBa Jjajang at 77 Tanjong Pagar is a popular K-eatery where you can enjoy Korean-Chinese cuisine from Jajangmyeon, Jjamppong, Kalguksu, Mandu, Fried Rice, Tangsuyuk, Kkanpunyuk, Jokbal to Bossam at the same time.
The Gimbap ($12) is included with various fillings including egg, sliced ham, sweet beancurd skin, pickled vegetables and carrots all rolled up in a seaweed sheet.
Read more at: O.BBa Jjajang (Tanjong Pagar)
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