Description
Crispy Korean rice balls showcase Seoul’s street snack culture with golden-brown exterior and savory filling. Delightful morsels packed with flavor invite you to explore Korean culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (720 ml) cooked rice (short or medium-grain rice; warmed)
- 1 cup ground beef bulgogi
- 5 oz (140 g) canned tuna, drained
- 1½ tbsps Japanese mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup seaweed seasoning
- 1½ tsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ small carrot, finely diced (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Flavor Preparation: Blend drained tuna with Japanese mayonnaise, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a robust, creamy filling. Simultaneously, sauté finely diced carrots in a pan until tender and translucent.
- Rice Fusion: Integrate sautéed carrots and toasted sesame oil into warm rice, gently folding to develop a fragrant and harmonious base for the rice balls.
- Filling Technique: Spread a portion of seasoned rice into a thin disc, strategically positioning the tuna or bulgogi mixture in the center. Use gentle, controlled motions to fold the rice around the filling, creating a smooth, compact spherical shape.
- Finishing Touch: Utilize food-safe gloves lightly coated with vegetable oil to prevent sticking while shaping. Roll each rice ball thoroughly in seaweed seasoning, ensuring a complete and crisp umami-rich exterior.
- Serving: Arrange the completed Korean rice balls on a serving plate, presenting a delectable and convenient snack ready for immediate enjoyment.
Notes
- Quick Binding Technique: Lightly oil food-safe gloves to prevent rice from sticking and make shaping rice balls smoother and easier.
- Flavor Enhancement: Toast sesame oil briefly before mixing with rice to intensify its nutty, aromatic profile and elevate overall taste.
- Moisture Control: Drain tuna completely to prevent soggy rice balls and maintain a perfect compact texture.
- Seasoning Balance: Adjust salt and pepper gradually while mixing tuna to create a harmonious, well-rounded filling without overpowering other ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg