Learning How to Make Kimbap

Making Kimbap (김밥) is a fun and delicious way to experience Korean cuisine firsthand. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to learning how to make Kimbap, perfect for attending a cooking class or trying it at home with Korean speakers. You’ll learn terms for ingredients, cooking actions, asking questions, and describing the process.

Core Expression

This is the primary phrase used when talking about the activity of learning to make Kimbap.

• Expression: 김밥 만들기 배우기
  Pronunciation: gim-bap man-deul-gi bae-u-gi
  Meaning: Learning to make Kimbap (lit. Kimbap making learning)

Essential Ingredients and Tools

Knowing the names of ingredients and tools is crucial for following recipes or instructions.

• Expression: 밥
  Pronunciation: bap
  Meaning: Cooked rice

• Expression: 김
  Pronunciation: gim
  Meaning: Dried seaweed laver

• Expression: 단무지
  Pronunciation: dan-mu-ji
  Meaning: Pickled radish (yellow)

• Expression: 당근
  Pronunciation: dang-geun
  Meaning: Carrot

• Expression: 오이
  Pronunciation: o-i
  Meaning: Cucumber

• Expression: 시금치
  Pronunciation: si-geum-chi
  Meaning: Spinach

• Expression: 계란
  Pronunciation: gye-ran
  Meaning: Egg

• Expression: 참기름
  Pronunciation: cham-gi-reum
  Meaning: Sesame oil

• Expression: 소금
  Pronunciation: so-geum
  Meaning: Salt

• Expression: 김발
  Pronunciation: gim-bal
  Meaning: Bamboo rolling mat (for Kimbap)

• Expression: 칼
  Pronunciation: kal
  Meaning: Knife

• Expression: 도마
  Pronunciation: do-ma
  Meaning: Cutting board

Basic Cooking Actions

These verbs are essential for describing the steps involved in making Kimbap.

• Expression: 밥을 펴다
  Pronunciation: bap-eul pyeo-da
  Meaning: To spread the rice

• Expression: 재료를 넣다
  Pronunciation: jae-ryo-reul neo-ta
  Meaning: To put in the ingredients

• Expression: 김밥을 말다
  Pronunciation: gim-bap-eul mal-da
  Meaning: To roll the Kimbap

• Expression: 김밥을 썰다
  Pronunciation: gim-bap-eul sseol-da
  Meaning: To slice the Kimbap

• Expression: 야채를 볶다
  Pronunciation: ya-chae-reul bok-da
  Meaning: To stir-fry vegetables

• Expression: 계란을 부치다
  Pronunciation: gye-ran-eul bu-chi-da
  Meaning: To fry an egg (thinly, like an omelet)

• Expression: 밥에 간을 하다
  Pronunciation: bap-e gan-eul ha-da
  Meaning: To season the rice

• Expression: 재료를 준비하다
  Pronunciation: jae-ryo-reul jun-bi-ha-da
  Meaning: To prepare the ingredients

• Expression: 김 끝에 물을 묻히다
  Pronunciation: gim kkeut-e mul-eul mut-hi-da
  Meaning: To dab water on the end of the seaweed

• Expression: 꾹꾹 누르다
  Pronunciation: kkuk-kkuk nul-leu-da
  Meaning: To press firmly

• Expression: 예쁘게 담다
  Pronunciation: ye-ppeu-ge dam-da
  Meaning: To plate beautifully

• Expression: 참기름을 바르다
  Pronunciation: cham-gi-reum-eul ba-reu-da
  Meaning: To brush with sesame oil

Asking Questions in a Cooking Class

If you’re taking a class, these questions will be very helpful.

• Expression: 어떻게 해요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
  Meaning: How do I do this? / What should I do?

• Expression: 다음은 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: da-eum-eun mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What’s next?

• Expression: 이렇게 하는 거 맞아요?
  Pronunciation: i-reo-ke ha-neun geo ma-ja-yo?
  Meaning: Am I doing this correctly?

• Expression: 재료가 어디 있어요?
  Pronunciation: jae-ryo-ga eo-di i-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Where are the ingredients?

• Expression: 좀 도와주세요.
  Pronunciation: jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please help me a little.

• Expression: 얼마나 넣어야 돼요?
  Pronunciation: eol-ma-na neo-eo-ya dwae-yo?
  Meaning: How much should I put in?

• Expression: 밥을 얼마나 펴야 돼요?
  Pronunciation: bap-eul eol-ma-na pyeo-ya dwae-yo?
  Meaning: How much rice should I spread?

• Expression: 너무 세게 말았나요?
  Pronunciation: neo-mu se-ge ma-ran-na-yo?
  Meaning: Did I roll it too tightly?

• Expression: 김발은 어떻게 사용해요?
  Pronunciation: gim-bal-eun eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
  Meaning: How do I use the rolling mat?

• Expression: 다시 한번 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: da-si han-beon bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show me one more time.

• Expression: 이 재료 이름이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: i jae-ryo i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the name of this ingredient?

• Expression: 맛을 봐도 돼요?
  Pronunciation: mat-eul bwa-do dwae-yo?
  Meaning: May I taste it?

Describing the Process

Use these phrases to explain the Kimbap making steps.

• Expression: 먼저, 김 위에 밥을 얇게 펴세요.
  Pronunciation: meon-jeo, gim wi-e bap-eul yal-ge pyeo-se-yo.
  Meaning: First, spread the rice thinly on the seaweed.

• Expression: 그 다음에, 준비된 재료를 올려놓으세요.
  Pronunciation: geu da-eum-e, jun-bi-doen jae-ryo-reul ol-lyeo-no-eu-se-yo.
  Meaning: Next, place the prepared ingredients on top.

• Expression: 재료를 가운데에 가지런히 놓으세요.
  Pronunciation: jae-ryo-reul ga-un-de-e ga-ji-reon-hi no-eu-se-yo.
  Meaning: Place the ingredients neatly in the center.

• Expression: 이제 김발을 이용해서 돌돌 마세요.
  Pronunciation: i-je gim-bal-eul i-yong-hae-seo dol-dol ma-se-yo.
  Meaning: Now, roll it up using the bamboo mat.

• Expression: 단단하게 말아주는 것이 중요해요.
  Pronunciation: dan-dan-ha-ge mal-a-ju-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s important to roll it tightly.

• Expression: 김 끝부분에 물을 살짝 묻혀서 붙이세요.
  Pronunciation: gim kkeut-bu-bun-e mul-eul sal-jjak mut-hyeo-seo bu-chi-se-yo.
  Meaning: Dab a little water on the end of the seaweed to seal it.

• Expression: 다 말았으면 참기름을 살짝 바르세요.
  Pronunciation: da ma-ra-sseu-myeon cham-gi-reum-eul sal-jjak ba-reu-se-yo.
  Meaning: When it’s all rolled, lightly brush it with sesame oil.

• Expression: 칼에 물이나 참기름을 묻혀서 써세요.
  Pronunciation: kal-e mul-i-na cham-gi-reum-eul mut-hyeo-seo sseo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Wet the knife with water or sesame oil before slicing.

• Expression: 일정한 간격으로 예쁘게 써세요.
  Pronunciation: il-jeong-han gan-gyeok-eu-ro ye-ppeu-ge sseo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Slice it beautifully at regular intervals.

• Expression: 마지막으로, 접시에 예쁘게 담아내세요.
  Pronunciation: ma-ji-mak-eu-ro, jeop-si-e ye-ppeu-ge dam-a-nae-se-yo.
  Meaning: Finally, arrange it nicely on a plate.

• Expression: 맛있는 김밥이 완성됐어요!
  Pronunciation: ma-sin-neun gim-bap-i wan-seong-dwae-sseo-yo!
  Meaning: Delicious Kimbap is complete!

• Expression: 직접 만든 김밥을 맛보세요.
  Pronunciation: jik-jeop man-deun gim-bap-eul mat-bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Try the Kimbap you made yourself.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding the cultural context enhances the experience of making and eating Kimbap.

• Picnic Staple: Kimbap is the quintessential Korean picnic food (소풍 음식 – so-pung eum-sik). It’s portable, easy to eat, and loved by all ages, making it perfect for outings, school trips, and outdoor events.
• Endless Variety: While classic Kimbap has standard fillings, there are countless variations like tuna Kimbap (참치김밥 – cham-chi-gim-bap), cheese Kimbap (치즈김밥 – chi-jeu-gim-bap), beef Kimbap (소고기김밥 – so-go-gi-gim-bap), and even ‘nude’ Kimbap (누드김밥 – nu-deu-gim-bap) where the rice is on the outside.
• Presentation Matters: Koreans often take pride in the visual appeal of their food. Slicing the Kimbap neatly and arranging the colorful cross-sections attractively on a plate is part of the enjoyment.
• Sharing is Caring: Like many Korean dishes, Kimbap is often made in large quantities and shared among family and friends. Making Kimbap together can be a fun bonding activity.
• Everyday Food: Beyond picnics, Kimbap is a common, affordable meal or snack enjoyed any day. You can find Kimbap restaurants (김밥 전문점 – gim-bap jeon-mun-jeom) everywhere in Korea.

Real Conversation Example

This dialogue shows how friends might discuss taking a Kimbap making class.

Situation: Two friends, Mina and Sora, are discussing weekend plans.
Roles:
* A: Mina (Suggesting the class)
* B: Sora (Responding)

• Expression: A: 소라야, 이번 주말에 뭐 해? 나랑 같이 김밥 만들기 배우러 갈래?
  Pronunciation: so-ra-ya, i-beon ju-mal-e mwo hae? na-rang ga-chi gim-bap man-deul-gi bae-u-reo gal-lae?
  Meaning: Sora, what are you doing this weekend? Want to go learn how to make Kimbap with me?

• Expression: B: 김밥 만들기? 재미있겠다! 어디서 하는 건데?
  Pronunciation: gim-bap man-deul-gi? jae-mi-it-get-da! eo-di-seo ha-neun geon-de?
  Meaning: Making Kimbap? That sounds fun! Where is it held?

• Expression: A: 시내 문화센터에서 하는 수업이 있더라고. 재료도 다 준비해 준대.
  Pronunciation: si-nae mun-hwa-sen-teo-e-seo ha-neun su-eob-i it-deo-ra-go. jae-ryo-do da jun-bi-hae jun-dae.
  Meaning: There’s a class at the downtown cultural center. They said they provide all the ingredients too.

• Expression: B: 와, 좋다! 나 김밥 진짜 좋아하는데, 직접 만들어 보고 싶었어.
  Pronunciation: wa, jo-ta! na gim-bap jin-jja jo-a-ha-neun-de, jik-jeop man-deul-eo bo-go si-peo-sseo.
  Meaning: Wow, great! I really love Kimbap, and I’ve wanted to try making it myself.

• Expression: A: 잘됐다! 가서 어떻게 마는지, 밥 간은 어떻게 하는지 제대로 배우자.
  Pronunciation: jal-dwaet-da! ga-seo eo-tteo-ke ma-neun-ji, bap gan-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-neun-ji je-dae-ro bae-u-ja.
  Meaning: Perfect! Let’s go and properly learn how to roll it and how to season the rice.

• Expression: B: 응! 우리가 만든 김밥으로 소풍 가도 되겠다!
  Pronunciation: eung! u-ri-ga man-deun gim-bap-eu-ro so-pung ga-do doe-get-da!
  Meaning: Yeah! We could even go on a picnic with the Kimbap we make!

• Expression: A: 좋은 생각이야! 그럼 내가 예약할게.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun saeng-gak-i-ya! geu-reom nae-ga ye-yak-hal-ge.
  Meaning: That’s a great idea! I’ll make the reservation then.

• Expression: B: 고마워! 기대된다!
  Pronunciation: go-ma-wo! gi-dae-doen-da!
  Meaning: Thanks! I’m looking forward to it!

Practice Tips

Now you have the essential phrases for learning to make Kimbap! How can you practice?

• Try reading a simple Kimbap recipe in Korean, identifying the ingredients (재료 – jae-ryo) and action verbs (동사 – dong-sa) you learned~
• Watch Korean cooking videos (요리 영상 – yo-ri yeong-sang) about making Kimbap and listen for these phrases!
• If you have Korean friends, suggest making Kimbap together (김밥 같이 만들어요! – gim-bap ga-chi man-deul-eo-yo!).
• Most importantly, try making it yourself! Even if it’s not perfect at first, the process is fun and rewarding. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)