Months ago we heard another flavor of kimbap was coming to Trader Joe’s frozen section. Now, it’s finally rolled out: Trader Joe’s Spicy Pork Kimbap. And I think Western palates are gonna like this one even better than the original tofu. They’re filled with gochujang marinated pork bulgogi, along with the classic carrot, pickled radish (danmuji), and spinach.
You cut the corner and pop the tray into the microwave for two minutes, then let them rest for at least two minutes. And you’re good to go. I prefer kimbap sort of room temperature rather than actually warm, so I let them sit even a bit longer. They’re really tasty.
But of course, the pork dominates. Unlike when you get kimbap freshly made and you can taste the sesame oil in the rice, and the light sweetness of the pickled danmuji, this version is really all about the gochujang. It’s on the sweet side, but nothing crazy. Is it spicy? Well, it might depend on your spice tolerance. To me, it’s only a little spicy, maybe one step above the mildest gochujang. And it’s not a spiciness that sticks around. The rice is also a nice texture, even after microwaving. So it’s a win.
This won’t replace grabbing kimbap from the H-mart food court, but it’s a great quick option. And the price is right. For $4.99 for an 8-piece roll, it’s a good value and would make a filling snack or light lunch. I think I actually like them better than TJ’s original tofu version. Though obviously this one won’t be an option for vegetarians or vegans. Would I buy it again? Sure.
Check out some other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:
