The similarities that kimbap and sushi share have made it hard for many to decipher the difference. Kimbap and sushi are very popular dishes in Asian restaurants, though different in many aspects these meals are closely related.
However, it is expected people outside the Asian culture to be unable to tell the difference between these great dishes. Some might even call kimbap Korean sushi but that may be wrong as they are both unique and peculiar in taste and flavor.
The main difference between kimbap and sushi is that sushi typically contains raw fish while kimbap is made up of precooked seafood or meat, eggs, and vegetables. There are a lot more distinctive features of these two meals.
It is common knowledge that sushi originated hundreds of years ago in Japan, so it is a traditional Japanese dish. Kimbap on the other hand is an indigenous food of Koreans. Both dishes have however found their way into the hearts of numerous people around the world.
This post provides all the vital details that you need to know about the various difference that exists between kimbap and sushi. And now without further ado let’s get right into it.
All You Need To Know About Kimbap
Kimbap is a traditional Korean food that is made with seafood, rice, protein (fish, pork, egg, or crab meat), and vegetables. It contains cooked or precooked ingredients and sesame oil to give it a very sweet and tangy flavor.
The fillings in kimbap are cooked and this makes bit possible for it to last for a longer duration. One key factor to have in mind is that sesame oil is a very essential ingredient in kimbap. Some believe that Koreans imitated Japanese sushi, however, kimbap has an entirely different personality from that of sushi.
Kimbap can be made with white rice, black rice, or brown rice, for health reasons some Korean prefer to use brown rice. This dish is popular among kids and workers and as a conventional meal, it ranks as one of the Korean meals to have for lunch.
It is locally sold in restaurants and on the street but can easily be made at home.
All You Need To Know About Sushi
Japanese sushi is quite popular for its sour taste and raw seafood that is used as filling. It is also made of dried seaweed sheets and short grain rice. Sushi chefs like to consider the making of sushi an art, as it takes a lot of experience to master the act of preparing sushi.
Sushi is more like a special food rather than a regular meal, as it is mostly eaten on very special occasions and celebrations. It is very important that sushi is eaten fresh due to the fact that it is mostly prepared with raw seafood.
Perfecting the rice is quite difficult as it matters a lot to get the right texture and taste; typically the rice ought to be firm, fluffy, and sour. That being said sushi can be made or prepared at home with the required ingredients and kitchen equipment.
Differences Between Kimbap And Sushi
There is no doubt about the fact kimbap and sushi are almost similar in looks as both of them are prepared with short grain rice and dried seaweed sheets. They are both not complete without these two key ingredients and the filling.
Sushi and kimbap are both light dishes but their differences surpass their similarities. From the recent explanations stated about kimbap and sushi, you surely have a few ideas on how they are different from each other.
However, for a deeper understanding the table below clearly illustrates the differences that exist between sushi and kimbap;
| Kimbap | Sushi |
|---|---|
| Kimbap is a traditional Korean food. | Sushi is a Japanese dish |
| Typically made with cooked or canned ingredients. | Sushi is mostly prepared with raw seafood. |
| Kimbap should be eaten fresh but can last long. | It must be consumed fresh as it can easily get spoiled. |
| One essential ingredient in kimbap is sesame oil. | Sushi is commonly vinegared. |
| Kimbap is a conventional dish and it can be homemade, bought in the streets and in restaurants. | Sushi is usually eaten at a restaurant and can be homemade as well. |
| Brown rice is usually used to prepare kimbap. | White is the most preferred rice for sushi. |
| Kimbap has a sweet and tangy flavor. | The sour taste of sushi makes it stand out. |
Final Thoughts
Kimbap and sushi are both delicious and they may look the same both are very different from each other.
Moreso, both of these meals are very unique in personality but also closely related. If you’d prefer a dish with raw filling and with a sour taste you can go for sushi but if you want a cooked and sweeter version then kimbap it is.
