Jumeok Bap is rice ball mixed with a variety of protein for an on-the-go meal. It’s super easy to make and highly customizable. It’s fun to eat for kids and adults alike!
Jumeok means fist and Bap means rice. Essentially, this dish is rice ball that is the size of a fist. I remember when I was a kid, this was the most common lunch box food we brought on field trips and picnics. My classmates and I would differ in flavors but we all enjoyed it because you can eat it easily.
Nowadays, jumeok bap is one of my son’s favorite food! If rice isn’t rolled into a ball or wrapped in seaweed paper, he literally won’t eat it! As a parent, this is perfect because I can make a small piece to feed my son and make a big one that I can send with my wife to work.
This is simple but fun to make. You can use your favorite ingredients or whatever you have, but it will yield a delicious, savory, and portable dish!
Jumeok Bap Ingredients
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Seasoned Rice
- Rice – Use short or medium-grain white rice because they are naturally sticky. It can be freshly cooked or leftover, either are okay to use.
- Salt and Pepper
- Sesame Oil and Sesame Seeds – For an earthy and nutty flavor and texture added to the rice.
- Seaweed Paper – For extra umami. There are several kinds you can use—crumbled seaweed snack, crushed seaweed flakes, or furikake.
The combination of these ingredients is the base of jumeok bap. The rice should be well seasoned as you taste, and the toppings are going to be a bonus.
Flavor Variations
Bulgogi Jumeok Bap
- Ground Beef
- Soy Sauce
- Sugar
- Sesame Oil
- Garlic
- Black Pepper
- Onion, Scallions, Bell Pepper
The combination of the seasonings above will mimic a bulgogi flavor. The vegetables will add aroma, pop of color, and additional nourishment to the rice ball. You can also add other veggies like carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, etc.
Tuna Jumeok Bap
- Tuna
- Salt and Pepper
- Mayonnaise
If you’re making tuna jumeok bap, drain and squeeze out excess brine from the tuna so it doesn’t make the rice ball soggy. Season it to your liking and add mayonnaise for a balance of flavor.
Take a teaspoon of the tuna-mayo and place it in the middle as a filling. Shape it into a ball so the tuna doesn’t become messy as you eat it.
Spam Jumeok Bap
- Spam
If you’re making spam jumaok bap, simply chop the spam into small cubes and stir fry until crispy. If you don’t like spam, bacon or ham are also good options. And if you want to level it up, add chopped kimchi.
Take note that spam can be a bit salty so simply lessen the amount you use or lessen the seasoning on the rice. Add the spam to the seasoned rice, mix thoroughly, and shape it into a ball.
How to Make Korean Rice Balls?
Season the ground beef with soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly and set aside to marinate. Following that, dice your vegetables into small bits and pieces. Doing this will allow you to spread them evenly in between every grain of rice.
Once done with the preparations, saute one tablespoon of scallions, two tablespoons of onion, and the marinated ground beef until the onion is translucent and the beef has a nice toasted color. Set this aside to cool down a bit.
Now on to the rice—if you’re using freshly cooked rice, let it cool down a bit. If you’re using leftover rice, warm it with an ice chip so it regains moisture and won’t be crumbly. Season it with salt, sesame oil, and sesame seeds, then crumble seaweed paper as well. Mix it with your hands so every grain is well seasoned.
Add the beef and diced vegetables then mix thoroughly until everything is spread evenly.
Take a small amount and taste the rice. Season it with salt and pepper as needed.
Now, grab a handful of rice and gently squeeze it tight, then shape it into a ball. Make small balls for the kids and big rice balls for the adults. Both will surely enjoy it! Feel free to multiply the recipe according to how many people will be eating.
Tips to Make Jumeok Bap Successfully
- The rice is going to be the main binder of the recipe so make sure that the amount of rice and toppings are balanced enough to hold its shape.
- Maintain moderate moisture from the rest of the ingredients—ensure that there isn’t too much oil from the sauteed beef or do away from watery vegetables. Too much moisture might make the rice ball soggy.
- Regardless of the topping of choice you use, always chop it into bite-size pieces so you can compress the rice ball properly.
- I highly encourage using your hands to be able to mix and shape the rice well. Use food-grade gloves to help preserve the freshness of the rice balls.
Serving Jumeok Bap
Jumeokbap can be served on its own as a complete meal or a snack. Add this to your lunch box and eat it on the go! If you wish to add more viands to your meal, enjoy these with:
- Side dishes like geotjeori, radish kimchi, kimchi pancake, or chives pancake
- Stir-fried dishes like spicy pork or spicy dried squid
- Soup like egg drop soup, beef and radish soup, and beansprout soup
This can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute to warm it up.
Other lunchbox dishes you might like:
Make sure to leave a rating, a comment, or tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Tiktok when you chop them up! Yeobosayo!
Korean Rice Balls (Jumeok Bap)
Equipment
- Gloves
Ingredients
- 1 bowl Rice
- 2 stalks Scallions Chopped
- 1/2 of Whole Onion Diced
- 40 grams Red Pepper Diced
- 40 grams Green Pepper Diced
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Sesame Seeds
- 1/5th tsp Salt
- 2 sheets Seaweed Paper
Ground Beef
- 1 tbsp Canola or Vegetable Oil For sauteing
- 85 grams Ground Beef
- 1 1/2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp Garlic
- Black Pepper
Instructions
- Season the ground beef with soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and black pepper. Mix well and set aside to marinate.
- Chop the scallions, and dice the onion and peppers.
- In high heat, with a little bit of oil, saute a tablespoon of scallions, two tablespoons of onion, and marinated ground beef until the onion is translucent and the beef has a nice browning. Set aside once done.
- Season the rice with salt, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Mix thoroughly.
- Combine seasoned rice, sauteed beef, red peppers, green peppers, and crumble two seaweed papers. Mix thoroughly until toppings are evenly spread in between every grain of rice.
- Grab a handful of mixed rice and gently but with pressure shape it into a ball. Make sure to make it compact. Do the same process until all the rice has been used up.
- Consume right away for best taste, enjoy!
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