Kimbap Vs Sushi: What's The Difference?

Let's get one thing straight right off the bat: Kimbap is not sushi. While some variations of these dishes might look the same, each offering well-rounded bites of customizable proteins, there's plenty more that sets these apart. If you order a plate of kimbap, expecting sushi, you'll be surprised by its distinct flavor, so let's dig into the differences. 

For starters, kimbap, sometimes known as gimbap, is a staple of Korean cuisine. Its origins are debated, but the practice of wrapping rice in seaweed has been recorded in the region for hundreds of years. The name kimbap translates to "seaweed rice," and it's most similar to the sushi roll known as futomaki. This Japanese dish features rice, rice vinegar, vegetables, cooked fish, and more, all wrapped in seaweed. Similarly, kimbap features sautéed proteins and julienned vegetables wrapped in cooked rice seasoned with sesame oil and salt. This all comes rolled inside a seaweed wrap and is cut into bite-sized slices. From imitation crab and egg to cubed beef to radish, there's no limit to what you can stuff inside these rolls. 

Much like kimbap, sushi is versatile, but it's a distinctly Japanese dish. Beginning as a fermented meal made of fish and preserved rice, sushi has come a long way since its creation, and there are many different variations of the dish today. 

The most basic definition of sushi is a dish that features seafood and vinegared rice. (The name sushi translates roughly to "sour rice.") Oftentimes, it consists of raw fish and vegetables tucked inside of vinegared rice, then wrapped in seaweed. (Some variations of this dish feature sushi with cooked fish, too. Still, not all sushi comes rolled up in seaweed like the popular maki variety. Nigiri, for example, features pillows of rice topped with raw fish. Another variety known as uramaki is designed with seaweed wrapped inside the roll. Simply put, there are many different types of sushi to choose from. 

Sushi and kimbap each offer distinctive flavors. They both rely on seasoned rice, but sushi is tangier thanks to its use of vinegared rice, while kimbap is more savory due to the sesame oil and salt. Thanks to all the vegetables and proteins stuffed inside, kimbap has more heft than sushi and is usually considered a main. With simple fillings like raw fish and vegetables, sushi comes on the lighter side, so many people enjoy it as a meal or appetizer.  

That's all just the tip of the rice-burg. The pairings for these dishes are also different. Not only do kimbap and sushi differ in flavor, but they're also served with distinctive side dishes of their own. Sushi, for example, often comes accompanied by add-ons like wasabi, pickled ginger, and soy sauce, while kimbap usually comes with options like kimchi and pickled vegetables. For drinks, sake would be a great choice to order for sushi, while kimbap pairs better with sweeter palette-cleansing wines. Both of these dishes are very customizable, so you can tailor each of these rolls to your tastes. The two might rely on similar base ingredients like seaweed and white rice, but that's about all the qualities they have in common. If a huge hamburger and a loaded ground beef gyro aren't the same, then neither are sushi and kimbap.