Tuna Mayo Gimbap: A Simple Yet Delicious Homemade Lunch Option
Taste of Home! Tuna Gimbap Recipe for Special Occasions
There are times when a craving for gimbap just hits! Make this delicious tuna gimbap at home, perfect for a lunchbox or a satisfying meal. It’s a taste that fills your mouth with happiness, just like a little bunny! My son loved it so much, and I was so happy to hear it.
Tuna Gimbap Ingredients- 1 can (small) tuna
- 3 sheets of gimbap seaweed
Fluffy Rice Seasoning- 2 bowls of warm rice
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil (deulgireum)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (gochugaru)
- 1 tsp fine salt
Flavorful Gimbap Fillings- 1 cucumber
- 4 eggs
- 3 strips of pickled radish (danmuji)
- Stir-fried fish cake from the fridge (or regular fish cake)
- Pinch of fine salt
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- Pinch of black pepper
- 2 bowls of warm rice
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil (deulgireum)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (gochugaru)
- 1 tsp fine salt
Flavorful Gimbap Fillings- 1 cucumber
- 4 eggs
- 3 strips of pickled radish (danmuji)
- Stir-fried fish cake from the fridge (or regular fish cake)
- Pinch of fine salt
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumber thoroughly, then remove the core and slice it thinly. Sprinkle a little fine salt over the sliced cucumber and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This process draws out excess moisture, maintaining its crispness.
Step 2
After salting, rinse the cucumber slices under cold running water to remove the salt. Pat them dry completely with paper towels. Lightly oil a non-stick pan over low heat and briefly sauté the cucumber until it just becomes translucent. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become mushy.
Step 3
Prepare the store-bought pickled radish by cutting it into long strips suitable for gimbap. Its sweet and sour flavor will enhance the overall taste of the gimbap.
Step 4
If you’re using pre-cooked stir-fried fish cake that has become stiff, add 3 Tbsp of water, 1 tsp of oyster sauce, and 1 tsp of soy sauce to a pan and bring to a simmer. Then, add the fish cake and cook until it softens and absorbs the sauce. (If using regular fish cake, slice it thinly and cook with soy sauce seasoning.)
Step 5
In a bowl, beat the 4 eggs with a pinch of salt. Lightly oil a pan over medium-low heat and pour in the egg mixture to make thin omelets (jidan). Once cooked, let them cool slightly before slicing them into thin strips. I personally believe that generous amounts of egg make gimbap taste much better!
Step 6
Drain the tuna can completely, removing all excess liquid or oil. In a bowl, mix the drained tuna with 2 Tbsp of mayonnaise and a pinch of black pepper until well combined. This creates the delicious tuna filling for your gimbap.
Step 7
To the 2 bowls of warm rice, add 2 Tbsp of sesame oil, 1 tsp of sesame seeds, and 1 tsp of fine salt. Gently mix with a spatula, being careful not to mash the rice grains. Mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed and the rice is fluffy. This amount of rice is typically enough for about 3 rolls of gimbap.
Step 8
Now, spread a thin layer of seasoned rice onto a sheet of gimbap seaweed. Arrange your prepared fillings like cucumber, pickled radish, fish cake, egg strips, and the tuna mixture evenly over the rice. Carefully roll the seaweed tightly. Don’t overfill, or the roll might break.
Step 9
Once rolled, lightly brush the outside of the gimbap with a little oil and briefly sear it on a lightly heated pan for about 1-2 minutes, seam-side down. This helps seal the roll, makes the seaweed slightly crispy, and gives the gimbap a nice sheen and a more robust flavor.
Step 10
When cutting the gimbap, dipping your knife in a little cooking oil will prevent the rice from sticking and result in clean, neat cuts. This technique ensures the gimbap looks as good as it tastes.
Step 11
And there you have it – delicious tuna gimbap is ready! I made this for my son and daughter-in-law, and they sent me a text saying how much they enjoyed it. It makes me so happy that they ate it all up! I hope you also enjoy making and sharing this homemade tuna gimbap with your loved ones. Enjoy your meal!
