Healthier Kimbap at Home: Nourishing for Gut + Skin, without Seed Oils or Additives

Most store-bought kimbap is made with refined sugar, inflammatory oils, artificial dyes, and questionable ingredients. My version hits the spot and supports your gut health.

✅ No inflammatory oils (store-bought = seed oil/canola to fry each filling)

✅ No food coloring / dyes (store-bought = neon dye to brighten the “pickles”)

✅ No preservatives (store-bought = gut disruptors that wipe out the good bacteria in your gut)

✅ No wheat (store-bought = wheat based mystery meat + soy sauce braised fillings)

✅ No toxins (store-bought = veggies not washed properly during ingredient prep)

✅ Quality Protein: Pasture-raised eggs / Grass-fed meat

✅ Minimal rice prepared right (2 tbsp per roll in my recipe) = 0 blood sugar spike/crash

✅ Intentional gut + skin-loving ingredients

Ingredients (makes ~10 rolls / 3 servings):

• 1 cup organic Lundberg sushi rice, rinsed then soaked & soured overnight

  • 1½ cups filtered water (more if you skip the soaking & souring process)

  • 1–2 tsp apple cider vinegar (for soaking/souring)

  • Pinch of sea salt

  • Optional: dash of toasted sesame/olive oil

• 1.5 lb grass-fed sliced ribeye

• 1 lb burdock root, julienned (sold at HMART)

• 7 pasture-raised eggs

• 3 dozen perilla leaves (sold at HMART)

• 1 bunch cilantro

• 2 tbsp coconut oil or grass-fed tallow

• 6 tbsp coconut aminos

• 1 tbsp Beekeeper’s Naturals Superfood Honey*

• 4-inch ginger knob, minced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 10–15 sheets of gimme seaweed

• 4 tbsp filtered water (to seal rolls)

• 2 tbsp sesame oil (or Extra Virgin Olive Oil if allergic to sesame)

Method Step-by-step:

1. Rinse then soak & sour sushi rice overnight. Rinse again, cook, and cool.

2. Marinate beef in ginger, garlic, 4 tbsp coconut aminos.

3. Sauté burdock root in tallow or coconut oil over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp coconut aminos, pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly then I stir in 1 tbsp of this honey for additional health benefits.
   (See below for a deep dive of this step, if needed)

4. Whisk, fry (in tallow or coconut oil) and slice eggs into 1/2 inch strips.

5. Rinse perilla leaves & cilantro well in a baking soda rinse.

6. Fry marinated beef bulgogi until it’s no longer pink.

7. Place shiny side of the seaweed down. Spread ~2 tbsp of rice (a very thin layer) halfway up. (see below photo for a better idea)

8. Layer perilla, bulgogi, burdock, egg, and cilantro. (in that order)

9. Roll tight and seal with water by dipping fingers into water and spreading it across the end of the seaweed sheet just before completely rolling up the kimbap.

10. Glaze the outside with sesame oil or EVOO.

Rolling tip: Use a bamboo mat, and keep your hands slightly damp to prevent sticking!
(plastic wrap works if you’re in a pinch and have no bamboo mat on hand)

Cutting tip: Use a cerated bread knife and wipe blade clean between rolls.

Serving tip: Serve your kimbap fresh with kimchi, broth-based soup, and/or ddukbokgi if tolerated. It’s the perfect cozy, satisfying meal — no weird stuff, just pure healing.

Storage tip: Store any leftovers in a glass airtight container in the fridge immediately. The next day, dip leftover kimbap in whisked eggs and fry until eggs coating has firmed. Korean French toast?! You’re welcome ♡

Option: top rice with 1/2 a seaweed sheet to prevent roll from getting soggy.

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🌿 Deep Dive: The Why Behind Each Ingredient

P.S. If you’re feeling a little intimidated, that’s normal if it’s your first time rolling kimbap. But trust me: it’s worth it. Your body will thank you, and so will your littles ♡

🎥 Need a visual? Watch the step-by-step video here

Before assembling, soak your perilla leaves and cilantro in a baking soda + filtered water mix for 15 minutes. Watch the step x step video here to properly clean your greens. Rinse and drain well to remove any residue, bugs, or hidden grit.

🌱 Gut-Healing Benefits of Kimbap Ingredients

Burdock Root (우엉)

• Rich in prebiotic fiber to feed good gut bugs / bacteria
  (we need these to get to the other side of the eczema/gut healing journey, friends!)

• Anti-inflammatory + blood-sugar stabilizing (KEY for eczema healing & gut health)

• Supports liver detoxification (such a critical organ to support for healthy, clear skin)

Cilantro

• Natural chelator: it binds to heavy metals + helps remove them from the body

• Supports digestion + bile flow

• Antifungal, antibacterial, and soothing to the gut

Perilla Leaf (깻잎)

• High in anti-inflammatory omega-3 (healthy levels of inflammation is the name of the game)

• Contains rosmarinic acid → calming for eczema and histamine flares

• Aids digestion + reduces bloating and stomach discomfort

Beekeeper’s Naturals Superfood Honey*

I promise, this isn’t just sweetener — it’s nature’s powerful medicine in a spoon 🍯

A game-changing addition to any gut-healing, eczema-supporting protocol. Here’s what our family favorite SuperFood Honey contains:

• Raw Honey: Prebiotic, antimicrobial, and soothing to the gut lining

• Propolis: Antimicrobial + antiviral, supports immune regulation + reduces gut inflammation

• Bee Pollen: Nutrient-rich, may help modulate histamine response

• Royal Jelly: Contains peptides + beneficial fatty acids that support microbiome health

→ Just a small drizzle on top of the cooled burdock takes this kimbap to the next level in both flavor and healing potential.

🍙 Kimbap Troubleshooting

“My rice came out dry!”

Here’s what can help:

✅ Use short-grain or sushi rice (it’s naturally stickier)

✅ Rinse just until the water runs clear — usually 3x after soaking

✅ Cook it slightly underdone (don’t let it get mushy)

✅ Cover with a clean towel or wrap once cooked to retain moisture

If you used long-grain rice, overcooked it, or left it uncovered — it often dries out fast.

🍯 How to Make Sautéed Burdock Root (우엉볶음)

This sweet-and-savory veggie side adds flavor, texture, and tons of gut-healing power.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb burdock root, peeled and julienned (I get mine from HMART)

• 2 tbsp coconut aminos

• 1–2 tbsp grass-fed tallow (or coconut oil, if tolerated)

• Pinch of sea salt

• 1 tbsp BeeKeeper’s Naturals Superfood Honey*
  code MUMWITHABUN for 20% off

Method:

1. Heat tallow/fat of choice in a sauté pan over medium heat.

2. Add burdock root and cook ~7–10 minutes, until soft and slightly golden.

3. Add coconut aminos + salt. Simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.

4. Turn off heat. Let it cool 1–2 minutes to preserve enzyme content.

5. Stir in the honey and coat evenly. Done!

🍽️ How to Serve It:

• Rolled into kimbap as a flavorful filling

• As a side dish alongside rice with a soft egg + kimchi + a drizzle of sesame oil

• Straight up for a simple healing & satisfying snack (;