Jinju Spicy Chili Gimbap (Ttaengcho Gimbap)

Anonymous

19 Apr, 2023

Jinju-Style Ttaengcho Gimbap (Spicy Chili Gimbap)

Among Korea’s regional gimbap styles, Jinju’s Ttaengcho Gimbap is one of the most unique and addictive. Instead of the usual long list of fillings, this style keeps things simple: Cheongyang chili peppers, fish cake, and carrots, all stir-fried in a savory-sweet sauce.

It’s spicy enough to relieve stress but balanced enough to enjoy with mayonnaise or a creamy dip. You can roll it as mini bite-size gimbap or full-size rolls. No complicated prep — just clean flavors and a satisfying spicy crunch.

Ingredient

Basic ingredients
2 lines
- 10–12 Cheongyang green chilies
- 1/4 carrot
- 2 sheets of fish cake
- 2 bowls warm cooked rice
- 2 sheets gimbap seaweed
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds (a pinch)
- Cooking oil
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise (for dipping)

Seasoning Sauce

1 Tbsp oyster sauce
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 Tbsp corn syrup or honey
1/2 Tbsp rice vinegar (alcohol-free)

Recipe

Finely chop the carrots. Cut the green chili peppers in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and finely chop them. Finely chop the fish cakes. Add the seasoning ingredients to a bowl and mix. (Tip: You can also use a blender or food processor to blend.) (Tip: You can also use ground beef, pork, chopped onions, or pickled radish, depending on your preference.)

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables and Sauce

Finely dice the carrot.
Slice the Cheongyang peppers lengthwise, remove seeds, and mince.
Dice the fish cake into small pieces.
In a bowl, mix all the seasoning sauce ingredients until smooth.

Tip: A mini food processor makes dicing much faster.
Optional Add-ins: minced beef, pork, onions, or chopped pickled radish.

Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the carrots, then add the fish cakes and green chili peppers and stir-fry.

Step 2: Stir-Fry the Filling

Heat a pan with a little cooking oil.
Sauté the carrots first until slightly softened.
Add the diced fish cake and minced chilies.
Stir-fry until fragrant and evenly cooked.

The spicy aroma is the signature of this Jinju-style gimbap.

Stir-fry the seasoning ingredients, then turn off the heat and add rice, sesame oil, and sesame seeds and mix.

Step 3: Add Seasoning + Mix With Rice

Pour the seasoning sauce into the pan.
Stir-fry briefly so the vegetables absorb the flavor.
Turn off the heat.
Add cooked rice, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.
Mix well until the rice turns glossy and seasoned.

This seasoned rice is the entire filling — simple but full of flavor.

Spread the mixed rice evenly over the seaweed on a sheet of kimbap, then roll the kimbap tightly. (Tip: Rolling so that the edges of the rice touch the seaweed will make it look even prettier.)

Step 4: Roll the Gimbap

Place a sheet of seaweed shiny side down on a bamboo mat.
Spread the seasoned rice evenly across the sheet.
Roll it tightly from bottom to top.

Tip: Align the rice edge with the seaweed edge for a cleaner, prettier roll.

Cut the spicy kimbap into bite-sized pieces and enjoy with mayonnaise.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Slice the gimbap into bite-sized pieces.
Serve with mayonnaise (or spicy mayo) on the side.

The perfect balance of spicy, salty, and savory — no extra fillings needed.

Keyword: Ttaengcho Gimbap / Spicy Cheongyang Chili Gimbap Jinju gimbap, Korean spicy gimbap, easy gimbap recipe, Cheongyang pepper rolls, Korean street food gimbap