Rice Balls are a popular dish in Korean cuisine. They are often simple to make, and you can use various ingredients to adapt them to your tastes and favorite flavors.
The Korean word for rice ball is Jumeok-bap, which literally means “rice held in the fist,” and we think that’s the perfect descriptor for these tasty dishes.
If you want to make some rice balls at home, we have compiled a list of the 11 most delicious Korean rice ball recipes to get you started.
There is something for everyone below, but which recipe will be your favorite?
Meat Rice Ball Recipes
There are many rice ball recipes that are packed with succulent meat.
Whether you want beef or something else, you are sure to find a rice ball recipe that suits your mood.
You’ll notice that many rice balls are made with beef, but that’s not the only option – in fact, we’ve included a recipe below that uses spam (for all you spam lovers out there!)
Dig into the list below for our picks of the best Korean rice ball recipes that feature meat.
This variation of rice balls is made with spam instead of beef.
Spam is one of those foods that you either love or hate, but even if you’re not on the spam wagon, this recipe might make you change your mind.
Filled with spam (we may have mentioned that already), carrots, and onions, these rice balls make the perfect snack or accompaniment to your main course.
This particular recipe takes just under an hour to make, which is a bit longer than some of the other recipes, but it is worth the extra time to try these for yourself.
Bulgogi rice balls are a classic form of Korean rice balls made using beef and sirloin steak.
Drizzled in Korean BBQ Sauce, these bulgogi rice balls are perfect for any meat lover. The ingredients come together to create an absolutely beautiful dish that will make your tastebuds sing.
Whether you want a light lunch or something filling to enjoy on a picnic, you can have a batch made in absolutely no time at all, so give this recipe a try the next time you’re looking for something a little different.
Vegetarian And Vegan Rice Ball Recipes
If you’re veggie or vegan, there are plenty of meat-free rice balls you can enjoy.
Tofu is a popular ingredient in Korea, and you will find it in lots of recipes from the region.
Below, we’ve shortlisted some of our favorite vegetarian and vegan rice ball recipes – just for you.
These rice balls are absolutely stuffed with veggies. Whether you follow a no-meat diet or you want something filled with greens, you will love this recipe.
The main veggies used in this recipe are cabbage, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms.
You can swap out some of these ingredients to suit your tastes, but we’re confident you’ll adore the original recipe just as it is.
This recipe is great as a side dish, but you can incorporate it into your main meal, too.
If you like your food to have a little bit of a kick, then you are going to love this specific recipe.
These rice balls are primarily made up of mushrooms and gochujang to create the most delicious (and fiery) rice balls. Did we mention that this recipe is also completely vegan?
You can use whatever mushrooms you want in this recipe, but if you want to make the most of the ingredients, try and make a batch of cremini, trumpet, and oyster mushrooms – these mushrooms provide the most authentic end result.
You will find Kimchi in plenty of Korean dishes, and rice balls are no exception.
Mixed together with green onion and gochujang paste, these kimchi rice balls have a fantastic kick to them, which elevates the whole dish.
This particular recipe includes instructions to make your own homemade furikake seasoning, which pairs perfectly with rice balls, but if you’re short on time or don’t have everything in the pantry, using shop-bought furikake seasoning is totally fine.
Seafood Rice Ball Recipes
For all the fish lovers out there, we’ve tried and tested some seafood rice balls and have the very best recipes to share with you below.
Seaweed is a popular ingredient in Korean cooking, so we’ve even included a recipe incorporating this ingredient to honor this. Are you ready to dig in?
If you are not a fan of tuna, then these salmon rice balls might be just what you are looking for.
All you need to bring this recipe to life is salmon fillet, kewpie mayo, sushi rice, and a few more ingredients.
They are so simple to make and filled with so much flavor that you won’t be able to get enough of them.
What makes this recipe even better is that these rice balls only take 15 minutes to make. If you are in the mood for a quick and delicious snack, then this recipe is perfect for you to try.
Korean rice ball recipes commonly feature seaweed, and this recipe is a testament to the popularity of this ingredient in Korean cuisine.
If you can find seaweed flakes, use them, but you can take Nori (seaweed sheets) and crush them up if needs be. Other ingredients in this recipe include soy sauce, short-grain rice, and sesame oil.
This recipe is so incredibly simple to make. Even if you are quite new to cooking, you will have no issues recreating this classic dish for yourself.
And the end result is delicious.
Conclusion
Rice balls are a staple dish in Korean cuisine, and this list gives you plenty of versions of the dish to try for yourself.
The beauty of Korean rice balls is that they are so simple to make, and they work really well as a snack, for lunchbox food, or to accompany a main meal. Plus, you really don’t need much cooking experience to be able to make them for yourself.
Try some of the recipes we have included in this list today and see which ones you enjoy the most.
Korean rice balls are made from a variety of different ingredients, and the recipes change depending on which one you are following.
Most Korean rice ball recipes consist of ingredients such as sushi rice, canned tuna, Japanese mayo (or kewpie mayo), seasoned seaweed flakes, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and salt.
Are Rice Balls Healthy?
Rice balls are a relatively healthy dish, depending on what you add to them.
The recipes are often packed with nutrients and contain carbohydrates and proteins.
How Do You Get Rice Balls To Stick Together?
If you are having trouble getting your rice balls to stick together, the best thing you can do is add a bit more water to the rice. If you dampen your hands as well, this will make the process a bit easier.
You can also cook the rice a day ahead of time and let it chill to make is easier to get the balls to stick together.it
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
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