Among the many ways to cook rice, the one we're discussing today is one of the most original. This recipe is called jumeok bap , a Korean specialty consisting of very tasty rice balls . Its name comes from jumeok , meaning "fist," and bap , meaning "rice," so jumeok bap could be literally translated as "rice fist."
To make this recipe, you first need to cook the rice in a similar way to how you cook sushi. The following step-by-step instructions explain how to cook it, but if you need more details, you can consult our recipe for how to cook sushi rice.
Next, simply mix the cooked rice with various ingredients and shape it by hand to form small rice balls, which can be larger or smaller according to your preference. This is similar to Japanese onigiri, with the difference that in onigiri the filling is hidden, while in the jumeok bap we're going to prepare, the filling is mixed into the rice.
Jumeok bap are very popular in Korea because they are versatile, easy to make, and convenient to eat and transport. No utensils are needed to enjoy them, and they are generally a crowd-pleaser. Furthermore, they can be prepared with a multitude of ingredients, including tuna with mayonnaise and kimchi with minced meat, which we will be making today.
If you like them and are willing to try other variations, jumeok bap can also include sautéed carrots, scrambled eggs, diced cucumber, cooked ham, or even something more creative. However you make them, they are a delicious snack and a great option to impress at a tapas dinner.
Recipe Information
- Preparation time : 15 minutes
- Cooking time : 15 minutes
- Total time : 30 minutes
- Servings : 4, 16 units
- Category : incoming
- Type of cuisine : Korean
- Calories per serving (kcal) : 480
Ingredients of jumeok bap
- 250g of rice (ideally sushi rice or short grain rice)
- 300 ml of water
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- Salt to taste
- 150g of minced meat
- 70g of kimchi
- 50g of drained canned tuna in water
- 50g of mayonnaise
- Chopped nori seaweed
- Sriracha sauce to taste (for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (for decoration)
How to do jumeok bap
First, thoroughly wash 250g of rice until the water runs almost clear. Place it in a pot and cover it with cold water (about 300ml). Bring to a boil, then cover the pot and cook the rice for 12-15 minutes, until it absorbs the water.
Let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a serving dish to cool slightly. Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and salt to taste. Divide the cooked rice in half, as we will be making two different flavored rice balls.
Now we'll prepare the meat filling. To do this, cook 150 grams of minced meat with 70 grams of finely chopped kimchi until the meat is fully cooked. Set this mixture aside until it cools completely.
Meanwhile, we'll prepare the tuna filling. To do this, mix one half of the rice with 50 grams of drained canned tuna and 50 grams of mayonnaise.
Now we're going to form the rice balls with mayonnaise and tuna. To do this, using a spoon, take portions of the mixture prepared in the previous step and, with clean, slightly moistened hands, press them and shape them into balls.
Once we have finished forming all the rice balls with tuna and mayonnaise, we decorate them with chopped nori seaweed and set them aside until we finish forming the meat balls.
Now we're going to make the rice balls filled with meat and kimchi. To do this, once the minced meat has cooled, mix it with the other half of the rice.
As before, we take portions of the rice and meat mixture with a spoon and, with clean and slightly moistened hands, shape it into a pressed ball.
We decorate these rice and meat balls with sriracha sauce to taste and sprinkle them with sesame seeds. If we're not going to serve them immediately, we keep these balls and the tuna ones in the refrigerator. We serve the tuna jumeok bap with mayonnaise and the meat jumeok bap with kimchi cold or at room temperature.
Easy-to-prepare summary
- We cook the previously washed rice in a covered saucepan for about 12-15 minutes and season it with sesame oil and salt.
- We cook the minced meat with the finely chopped kimchi and set it aside until it cools.
- We mix half of the cooked rice with the tuna and mayonnaise
- We form rice balls with this mixture
- We decorated them with chopped nori seaweed.
- We mix the other half of the rice with the reserved minced meat and kimchi
- We form rice balls again with this mixture
- We garnished these jumeok bap with sriracha sauce and sesame seeds, and served them alongside the tuna jumeok bap.
30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home
If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.
Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.
For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.
When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.
For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.
Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.
And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.
More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family
Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.
The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.
For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.
When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.
I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.
Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.
For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.
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