Sangam gimbap takeout: Samhyeongje Gimbap’s thick rolls

After taking care of some business near MBC in Sangam-dong, I stopped by Samhyeongje Gimbap, Sangam branch (삼형제김밥 상암점) for a simple dinner. I took home ham, imitation crab, and fried tofu gimbap with cup ramen and cola, and the thick gimbap made for a filling meal.

Where is this Sangam gimbap restaurant, and can I park for takeout?

The restaurant is at 396 World Cup buk-ro, in Unit 1029 on the basement level of Nuritkum Square in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Several restaurants were grouped together downstairs, and the Samhyeongje Gimbap sign stood out, so I found it quickly.

The building was listed as 785 m from Exit 1 of Susaek Station. The restaurant also said that group gimbap orders and delivery were available.

When I visited, the building’s underground parking was free for the first 30 minutes. That was enough time to pick up my gimbap and leave.

Can you eat there, and how do you order?

This was a takeout-only restaurant, so there was no separate space inside for eating.

There were many types of gimbap, including spicy options. I could order at a kiosk, and I was told they could make a roll right away if none were already prepared.

What can you get with your gimbap?

They gave me a kit for making miso soup at home free of charge. It was nice to be able to take soup along with the gimbap.

They also sold several types of drinks. I chose cup ramen and cola to have with my gimbap.

What types of fried tofu gimbap are available, and how much do they cost?

The menu I saw included everything from original fried tofu gimbap to rolls with tuna, cheese, kimchi, and seasoned shredded pollock. There were also vegetarian options, and the listed gimbap prices ranged from ₩5,000 to ₩6,500.

• Original fried tofu gimbap · Vegetarian original fried tofu gimbap: ₩5,000 each
• Ham, imitation crab and fried tofu gimbap: ₩5,300
• Spicy chili fried tofu gimbap · Wasabi tuna fried tofu gimbap · Tuna fried tofu gimbap · Cheese fried tofu gimbap · Kimchi fried tofu gimbap · Vegetarian spicy chili fried tofu gimbap: ₩5,500 each
• Spicy fish cake fried tofu gimbap · Assorted fried tofu gimbap · Kimchi tuna fried tofu gimbap: ₩6,000 each
• Seasoned shredded pollock fried tofu gimbap: ₩6,500

Was the ham, imitation crab and fried tofu gimbap filling enough for a meal?

What I took home was ham, imitation crab and fried tofu gimbap, cup ramen, and cola. Since I visited late, there were not many gimbap varieties left, so I chose the ham, imitation crab and fried tofu version.

The gimbap looked thick even before I opened the package. Inside, it was noticeably thicker than the gimbap I usually picture, with a fairly generous portion, and it was cut into easy-to-eat pieces.

It had plenty of ham, imitation crab, and assorted vegetables. The ingredients worked well together, and I enjoyed the texture. With cup ramen and cola, this simple takeout dinner was filling.

What was disappointing about getting takeout late?

There were many menu items, but I had few choices when I visited. Around closing time, all the gimbap that had been prepared was sold out. I was told they could make a roll right away, but on this late visit, it was disappointing that I could not choose as broadly as I wanted.

There was no place to sit and eat, but it was a reasonable option for picking up a convenient meal near Sangam MBC. The thickness of the ham, imitation crab and fried tofu gimbap and its generous filling especially stayed with me.