Print

Korean Rice Balls Recipe

5 from 124 reviews

Korean Rice Balls are a flavorful and simple dish made with seasoned short-grain rice, fresh vegetables, and a savory ground beef or tofu filling, all wrapped neatly in nori seaweed. This recipe offers a delicious combination of textures and tastes and is perfect for a light meal or snack, served warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked short-grain rice
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped carrots
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
  • 1/4 cup pickled radish, diced
  • 1/2 cup ground beef or tofu
  • 4 sheets nori, cut into strips

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rice: Cook short-grain rice according to package instructions. Allow it to cool slightly until it remains warm, which helps in mixing and molding.
  2. Prepare the Rice Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice with sesame oil and salt for flavor. Add the chopped carrots and spinach, mixing thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
  3. Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, mix the diced pickled radish with the seasoned ground beef or tofu, blending the flavors well.
  4. Shape the Rice Balls: Lightly wet your hands to prevent sticking. Take a handful of the rice mixture, flatten it in your palm, then place a spoonful of the filling in the center. Wrap the rice around the filling tightly, shaping it into a firm ball.
  5. Wrap with Nori: Wrap each rice ball with a strip of nori seaweed to add flavor and help hold the shape.
  6. Serve: Arrange the rice balls on a platter and serve warm or at room temperature as a tasty snack or light meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with tofu to make it vegetarian.
  • Pickled radish adds a tangy crunch; feel free to adjust quantity to taste.
  • Wet your hands before shaping rice balls to prevent sticking.
  • Rice balls can be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within a day for best freshness.
  • Use short-grain rice for better stickiness and shape retention.

Keywords: Korean rice balls, Korean snacks, rice balls recipe, sesame rice balls, ground beef rice balls, tofu rice balls, nori wrapped rice balls