Name: Low Calorie Kimbap: 3-Min Cucumber Seaweed Rice Roll
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 2/3 bowl cooked rice (); 1/3 cucumber; 2 tbsp sesame oil; 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds; 3 pinches salt; 1 pack Korean seasoned roasted seaweed

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This viral low calorie kimbap recipe is a refreshing summer cucumber recipe made in under 3 minutes without turning on the stove. Made with raw cucumber, fragrant toasted sesame oil, and seasoned seaweed, this ultra-simple kimbap (Korean seaweed rice roll) is a no-cook version and the absolute best diet choice for healthy skin!

A top-down shot of a Korean seaweed rice bowl served with crisp seasoned seaweed snack sheets on the side. — A simple Korean seaweed rice setup ready to be scooped and wrapped in under 3 minutes.

What Is Hong Jin-kyung’s Viral Cucumber Kimbap?

Hong Jin-kyung is a famous Korean model and entertainer, and she is also well-known for her successful kimchi business and great culinary skills. The kimbap she showcased is different from traditional kimbap (Korean seaweed rice roll), which requires rolling various cooked ingredients on a bamboo mat. This version simply mixes diced cucumber directly into warm rice seasoned with chamgireum (toasted sesame oil), roasted sesame seeds, and salt, before wrapping and eating it with crispy jomi-gim (seasoned roasted seaweed).

A side angle view of fresh cucumber cubes coated in toasted sesame oil and mixed with warm white rice. — icing cucumbers thinly guarantees a satisfying crunch in every single bite

This dish requires zero stove heat and takes less than 3 minutes to make. Instead of a heavy meal, this low-calorie kimbap hit Korean social media for several months. It is the most minimalist and effortless, yet healthy wellness meal option. Check out 10 Korean Kimbap Varieties to explore more.

10 Korean Kimbap Varieties (Stop Calling It Korean Sushi!)

Why Koreans Went Crazy for This Korean Seaweed Rice Recipe

Zero Stove Heat: Ideal for hot summer days when you don’t even want to turn on the stove.

Low-Calorie & Refreshing: Cucumbers provide deep hydration and skin-nourishing vitamins. It has extremely low calories and high fullness, making it a true diet recipe.

Convenience: Made in just 3 minutes with ingredients always available at home.

A meal prep bowl containing Korean seaweed rice mixed with sea salt, sesame oil, and diced raw cucumber. — his viral low calorie kimbap trend went viral across Korean social media for good reason.

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Ingredients for Low Calorie Kimbap with Cucumber

Core Ingredients

Cooked Rice: 2/3 bowl (approx. 140g / 5 oz).
Fresh Cucumber: 1/3 cucumber
Toasted Sesame Oil: 2 tbsp
Ground Toasted Sesame Seeds: 2 tbsp. Freshly ground whole seeds release the richest aroma.
Fine Sea Salt: 3 pinches
Jomi-Gim (Seasoned Roasted Seaweed): 1 pack

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Diet Version: Reduce the rice and add more cucumber for a lower-carb version. You can replace the rice with cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly meal.
More Flavorful Version: Add extra ground sesame seeds to maximize the nutty aroma.
Low-Sodium Version: Reduce the salt and use unseasoned roasted seaweed instead of seasoned seaweed.

Hands wrapping seasoned cucumber rice in a crisp sheet of Korean roasted seaweed. — Scoop a spoonful of savory korean seaweed rice onto crispy seasoned seaweed for a quick, crunchy bite.

How to Make Easy Cucumber Kimbap (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Prep Time & Cook Time

Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes

Preparation & Mixing

Dicing the Cucumber: Wash 1/3 cucumber thoroughly in cold water. If there are prickly spines, scrape them off with a knife. Slice into 0.5cm rounds, then cut into 4 quarters to make small cube shapes.

icing fresh English cucumber into small uniform cubes on a wooden cutting board. — Scrape spines, slice 0.5cm thick, and cut into 4 quarters to make small uniform cucumber cubes.

Grinding the Sesame Seeds: Coarsely grind 2 tbsp of roasted sesame seeds using a mortar or a chopper. Using ground sesame seeds is essential to maximize the nutty flavor.

Grinding toasted sesame seeds in a small mortar to release rich nutty oils. — grind toasted sesame seeds

stone grinder — grind toasted sesame seeds

Seasoning the Rice: In a medium bowl, combine 2/3 bowl (140g / 5 oz) of warm cooked rice, 2 tbsp chamgireum (toasted sesame oil), 2 tbsp ground sesame seeds, 3 pinches of fine sea salt, and the diced cucumber. Mix well.

Warm cooked short-grain white rice placed in a bowl. — Mix rice and cucumber

Cuckoo rice cooker — Mix rice and cucumber

Serving

Wrap and Serve: Scoop about 1 tbsp of bite-sized cucumber rice onto a piece of jomi-gim (seasoned roasted seaweed) and wrap it up. No need to roll it up, so isn’t it super simple?

aesthetic food photography display of low calorie kimbap with green cucumber accents and roasted sesame. — This viral low calorie kimbap trend went viral across Korean social media for good reason.

Is Cucumber Kimbap Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, this low calorie kimbap is an extremely effective meal for weight loss and health-conscious diets, which is why it went viral among many dieters in Korea. Cucumbers are over 95% water, providing hydration and fullness while adding minimal calories to your meal.

close-up shot of easy cucumber kimbap with glossy — Minimalist, light cucumber rice roll setup.

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How Long Does Cucumber Kimbap Rice Last?

It tastes best when eaten immediately after making.

For Lunchboxes: Mix the salt, sesame seeds, and sesame oil into the rice ahead of time and pack it, but pack the cucumber separately and mix it into the rice right before eating. Take the seaweed along without opening the wrapper so it stays crispy.

A bowl of low calorie kimbap rice mixture with diced cucumber and roasted sesame seeds next to seaweed sheets. — This viral low calorie kimbap requires zero stove heat and comes together in just 3 minutes.

FAQ

Yes, you can easily adapt this dish for a keto diet by using cauliflower rice instead of white rice.

When you grind whole roasted sesame seeds, the outer hull breaks open, releasing rich aromatic oil that infuses deep nutty flavor into the rice. The difference between grinding and not grinding is night and day.

Of course! Mix the salt, sesame seeds, and sesame oil into the rice ahead of time and pack it, but pack the cucumber separately and mix it into the rice right before eating. Take the seaweed along without opening the wrapper so it stays crispy.

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By Blonde Kimchi

Low Calorie Kimbap: 3-Min Cucumber Seaweed Rice Roll

This viral low calorie kimbap takes under 3 minutes with zero cooking required. Fresh diced cucumber and toasted sesame rice are wrapped in crispy seasoned seaweed for a quick, hydrating, and low-carb Korean meal.

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Course: Breakfast, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Korean

Keyword: diet, Gluten Free, healthy, Meal Prep, No-Cook, Non-Spicy, Seaweed, Sesame Oil, under 5 minutes, vegan, vegetarian

Mood: Refreshing

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time:1

Cook Time:2

Total Time:3

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 401kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

2/3 bowl cooked rice
1/3 cucumber
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
3 pinches salt
1 pack Korean seasoned roasted seaweed

Instructions

Dice the Cucumber: Wash 1/3 English cucumber thoroughly under cold water. Slice into thin rounds, then chop into tiny 1/4-inch (0.5cm) cubes.
1/3 cucumber
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Grind the Sesame Seeds: Using a mortar and pestle or small spice grinder, coarsely grind 2 tbsp of toasted sesame seeds to release their natural aromatic oils.
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
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Season the Rice Mixture: In a bowl, combine 2/3 bowl of warm cooked rice, 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 2 tbsp ground sesame seeds, 3 pinches of fine sea salt, and the diced cucumber. Mix thoroughly.
2/3 bowl cooked rice, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 3 pinches salt
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Wrap and Serve: Unwrap a package of Korean seasoned roasted seaweed. Scoop a bite-sized tablespoon of the cucumber rice mixture onto a sheet of seaweed, wrap or fold, and enjoy immediately.
1 pack Korean seasoned roasted seaweed
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