Image Credit: familyclub
Seaweed Rice Ball Jumokbap is a ball of rice covered with seaweed, a simple but delicious dish originated from Korea. It is most convenient to eat while you are on the go or if you are too busy to have a proper meal. Jumokbap is similar to onigiri, a common Japanese rice ball. Both are popular because of the simple ingredients and easy preparation.
What is Seaweed Rice Ball Jumokbap?
Jumokbap is a Korean word that can be translated as ‘fist rice’. It refers to hand-shaped rice balls regardless of the ingredients used. Seaweed Rice Ball Jumokbap is made from rice covered with seaweed flakes. Usually, some salt or seasonings are added to the rice to make it more flavourful.
Initially, the Seaweed Rice Ball only consists of rice and seaweed. However, as rice can go well with any other ingredients, many varieties of Seaweed Rice Ball can be found nowadays. Some of the ingredients include beef, kimchi, tuna, anchovies, chicken, and carrots.
These ingredients are mixed with the rice or come as a filling. Typically, the fillings are put at the centre of the rice before shaping the rice into a ball. Then, the rice balls are covered with seaweed flakes.
Combination of various ingredients makes this dish flavorful and colourful. It is also easy to prepare, by using any leftover rice. Jumokbap is a popular dish for people to bring in to their workplace or school.
Besides that, Jumokbap is typically served with spicy dishes or meals. The texture and flavours of Jumokbap can ease the spiciness of the food.
The History of Seaweed Rice Ball Jumokbap
The origin of Jumokbap is not known. However, this dish is believed to be originated from war times. At the time where food is hard to come by, people used to just ball up the rice and eat it.
Jumokbap is famously related to the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. At the time, the Gwangju citizens are against the military violence on the unarmed civilians. Thousands of citizens gathered together to protest and keep the military out of the city. These citizens are fed with Jumokbap as a unity act of sharing food during hard times.
The Popularity of Rice Ball
Rice Ball has many other names depending on the country. As it is an easy and simple dish, it is no wonder that it is popular food across the globe.
Besides Jumokbap, the other rice balls that are quite popular are Onigiri and Arancini. Onigiri is a Japanese food while Arancini is Italian food. There are a few differences, but they both use rice as a base for the dish.
Onigiri is made from white rice shaped into triangular or cylindrical shapes. It often has salty or sour fillings. Examples of the fillings are pickled ume, salted salmon, or salted pollock roe. These rice balls are then wrapped with seaweed. Onigiri is a staple food at any Japanese restaurants worldwide.
Arancini is a deep-fried stuffed rice ball. Originated from Italy, these rice balls are filled with cheese, peas or ham. They are coated with bread crumbs and are deep-fried before serving. This creates an orange rice ball that differs from Jumeokbap and Onigiri.
Where to find in Malaysia
Seaweed Rice Ball Jumokbap is a simple dish where you can easily make at home. Use this recipe and enjoy it in no time!
You can find it at most Korean restaurants and snack stalls like Kimbab Kiosk (Kota Kinabalu). There is also Anchovy Rice Ball from Daseo (Bayan Lepas).
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