To reheat kimbap, dip the cut into beaten egg and pan-fry them. The egg acts as a sealant which helps the steamed rice during pan-frying. It makes the rice soft again.
Although kimbap should be at room temperature, it loses its flavor within a few hours of preparation. You should reheat it if it has been in the refrigerator overnight.
It is not easy to reheat these Korean seaweed rolls, but there are several ways you can reheat kimbap without compromising texture.
Stove
Coating the sushi minimizes the loss of quality. When reheating kimbap, do it in a way that preserves the texture without making it too dry or cooked. Use either a skillet or a frying pan, but you need eggs to reheat the kimbap.
If you have a plate full of kimbap, crack a few eggs before starting. Mind the number of eggs. Cook at medium heat to allow the eggs to settle and hold everything together. Give the kimbap enough time for the inside of the kimbap to heat up evenly. Drain the kimbap on a paper towel.
Steps
- Heat the pan or skillet on the stove.
- Add a little oil of your choice. Use some sesame oil so that you get the original flavor. Odorless vegetable oil is a better option.
- Turn the heat to medium.
- Dip your kimbap into the beaten egg and make sure they are covered. Take it slow by dipping one piece at a time and placing it in the pan.
- Let the egg coating cook and brown on each side as you flip the kimbap piece. Keep the heat low to medium throughout the reheating process.
- Since the kimbap is coated, too much or too little heat could keep the inside of the sushi cold. It takes too long to reheat. Serve when satisfied.
Microwave
The microwave warms up the kimbap in minutes. It is convenient for hot food, even with leftovers (Discount.com). However, reheating kimbap in the microwave can make it soggy and mushy. That is not favorable to people who love the solid, textured form of the snack. You can still eat almost frozen sushi from the fridge. Below are steps to follow.
Although the microwave can heat almost anything, avoid using the microwave to reheat the kimbap because it sacrifices the texture of the kimbap. Wrap aluminum foil around the snack, leaving the top a bit open. That prevents direct heat from making the kimbap mushy.
The rice will turn mushy, and the seaweed will disintegrate. If you want to enjoy leftover kimbap, it is better to use the stove for reheating rather than the microwave.
Steps
- Take a bowl and crack one egg into the bowl. Lightly beat the egg and add salt to it. Take your kimbap and dip it into the egg mixture. The egg will help your rice fluff up while disguising its dryness.
- Heat it in 15-second intervals.
- Serve when satisfied.
Storage
After two hours, the rice may start to dry out. Kimbap recipes use a short-grain rice variety such as Uruchimai, known for its high starch content. The rice grains easily stick together and help hold the whole roll. However, they also dry out very quickly, preventing them from being the type of food you can easily store.
You can store kimbap in the fridge for days, but it loses a lot of the texture of the ingredients, the rice, and the seaweed within hours. The rice grains lose much moisture to the seaweed, leaving it soggy. That affects its integrity and ability to hold the roll together.
Freezing kimbap is not a good idea at all. There are too many elements and problems to come when freezing kimbap. It can store and thaw well but what you sacrifice for this is the texture of the ingredients. Vegetables like cucumber and peppers will lose a lot of moisture in the thawing process, and this very moisture will seep into the seaweed and make it soggy.
When storing kimbap in the freezer, start by wrapping the kimbap using saran wrap. This will help to ensure that moisture does not enter inside. Take a freezer bag and place the kimbap inside. Freezer bags keep food fresh for longer periods (the kitchen.com). Take out as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it. The last step is to store the kimbap in the freezer. When reheating kimbap previously stored in the freezer, you need to ensure that you thaw it before reheating it.
Safe Temperatures
Kimbap can be stored at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
FAQs
Can You Reheat Kimbap?
Yes, you can reheat kimbap. Reheat kimbap in a pan on the stove. You need to eat the snack within a couple of hours of making them so that the flavor and texture are not affected.
However, brush the kimbap with an egg before frying the egg-coated kimbap. You can use other methods, such as reheating in the microwave. However, the chances are high that it would make the kimbap soggy. To get the most out of the seasoning, eat the kimbap the same day it is prepared within a few hours.
How to Reheat Kimbap without Egg
Not everyone likes the egg-coated kimbap, and you can reheat kimbap without egg just like any other food.
Can You Eat Kimbap Cold?
You can eat kimbap cold, just like eating any other food directly from the fridge. Eat kimbap at room temperature within a few hours of preparation. The taste and texture of the seasoning will change if kimbap is in the refrigerator. With eggs, the snack will not taste fresh.
Is Kimbap healthy?
Yes, Kimbap is healthy. Kimbap is a dish made from pickled vegetables and a low calories dish that is great to eat while dieting. However, expect a lot of carbs in Kimbap, so some moderation is needed to stay in shape while eating this traditional Korean dish.
Is kimbap Korean or Japanese?
It is a popular Korean dish made with cooked rice and other ingredients rolled in dried seaweed sheets.