Jumeok Bap Recipe: Easy Korean Rice Balls with Kimchi 2026

Jumeok bap are Korean rice balls, and they might be the most crowd-pleasing appetizer you can put on a table. The name means "fist rice," because you simply press seasoned rice together with your hands. No molds, no special equipment, and no utensils needed to eat them.

This version makes two kinds in one batch: half of the rice gets mixed with tuna and mayonnaise, and the other half with ground beef and chopped kimchi. The filling is stirred right into the rice instead of hidden inside, which is what sets jumeok bap apart from Japanese onigiri.

They are a staple at Korean gatherings because they are cheap, portable and almost universally liked. Serve them cold or at room temperature as a starter, a snack, or part of a larger spread of small bites.

Ingredients for Jumeok Bap

This recipe makes about 16 rice balls, enough to serve 4 people as an appetizer.

• 250 g rice (ideally sushi or short-grain rice)
• 300 ml water
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt to taste
• 150 g ground beef
• 70 g kimchi
• 50 g canned tuna in water, drained
• 50 g mayonnaise
• Chopped nori seaweed
• Sriracha sauce to taste (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish)

How to Make Jumeok Bap Step by Step

1. Cook and Season the Rice

First, rinse the 250 g of rice well until the water runs almost clear. Put it in a pot and cover it with about 300 ml of cold water. Bring it to a boil, then cover the pot and cook the rice for 12-15 minutes, until it has absorbed all the water. Let it rest covered for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a platter so it can cool slightly, and stir in 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and salt to taste. Divide the cooked rice in two, since you are making two flavors of rice balls.

2. Cook the Beef and Kimchi Filling

Now prepare the meat filling. Cook 150 g of ground beef together with 70 g of finely chopped kimchi until the beef is completely cooked through. Set this mixture aside until it cools completely.

3. Mix the Rice with Tuna and Mayonnaise

In the meantime, make the tuna filling. Mix one half of the rice with 50 g of drained tuna in water and 50 g of mayonnaise until evenly combined.

4. Shape the Tuna Rice Balls

Now form the tuna and mayonnaise rice balls. Using a spoon, take portions of the mixture you just prepared and, with clean, lightly dampened hands, press and shape them into balls.

5. Decorate the Tuna Rice Balls with Nori

Once all the tuna and mayonnaise rice balls are formed, decorate them with chopped nori seaweed and set them aside while you finish shaping the beef balls.

6. Mix the Rice with Beef and Kimchi

Now form the rice balls filled with beef and kimchi. Once the ground beef has cooled, mix it with the other half of the rice.

7. Shape the Beef and Kimchi Rice Balls

Just as before, take portions of the rice and beef mixture with a spoon and, with clean, lightly dampened hands, press and shape them into balls.

8. Garnish and Serve

Decorate these rice and beef balls with sriracha sauce to taste and sprinkle them with sesame seeds. If you are not serving them right away, keep both the beef balls and the tuna balls in the refrigerator. Serve the tuna mayonnaise and beef kimchi jumeok bap cold or at room temperature.

Tips for the Best Jumeok Bap

Start with the Right Rice

Sushi rice or any short-grain variety gives you the sticky texture that holds these balls together. Rinse it until the water is nearly transparent so the grains stay separate but clingy, and let it rest covered for 10 minutes after cooking. Season it while it is still warm so the sesame oil and salt distribute evenly.

Keep Your Hands Damp

Lightly wet your hands before pressing each ball, and re-wet them every few balls. This keeps the rice from sticking to your palms and lets you press firmly without the mixture crumbling. A spoon helps you portion the mixture evenly so all the balls end up the same size.

Make the Fillings Your Own

These two fillings are just a starting point. Jumeok bap also work beautifully with sautéed carrot, scrambled egg, diced cucumber, or cooked ham stirred into the rice. Whatever you add, keep the rice-to-filling ratio balanced so the balls still hold their shape.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most 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.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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