We Tried Trader Joe’s Jumeokbap (Korean Rice Balls)

TJ’s Version is Vegan with Plant-based Beefless Bulgogi and Vegetables

Trader Joe’s capitalizes on the popularity of its frozen kimbap, rolling out another Korean snack favorite: Jumeokbap. Triangle-shaped, they’re still considered rice balls. In my Japanese family we’d call these onigiri. But it’s a similar idea, a hand formed rice ball, usually stuffed with a filling. Here, the beefless bulgogi and veg are mixed throughout the rice.

Trader Joe’s Jumeokbap come individually wrapped, 3 to a bag, for $4.99. You simply microwave them for ~1.5 minutes (cut the corner on the package first) and enjoy. You definitely get a sweet/smoky flavor from the vegan bulgogi, and the bits are chopped small enough that you really can’t tell if it’s beef or beefless. The veg includes cabbage, green onion and carrot.

It’s a little sweeter than I’d like, but still a good little snack. The rice texture is nice, even after microwaving, and mostly holds together after the first bite. If you’re not likely to make your own, or you don’t have an H-Mart nearby (mine does a bulgogi kimbap), then grab you a bag. At $1.66 each, it’s a no-brainer.

Based on how popular the kimbap has been, I’m betting people will love this one, too. Especially those who aren’t down with the gim/nori wrapper on kimbap. Would I buy Trader Joe’s Jumeokbap again? Sure. Good to have in the freezer when you just need a quick snack.

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Check out some other We Tried’s from Trader Joe’s:

Japchae

Karaage

Beef Bulgogi Fried Rice

Beef Bulgogi

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