The recipe is inspired by the frozen Kimchi & Cheese Balls from Costco (the brand that makes them is Bibigo). The rice ball is super delicious on it’s own without needing other flavors. I added extra protein inside the rice to make the meal extra filling. Eat with roasted seaweed and a spicy soft tofu soup for a full Korean meal!
Ingredients
▢3 cups cooked white sushi rice
▢½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese low moisture preferred
▢1½ tablespoon gochujang adjust to your spice level
▢1 cup kimchi cut in small pieces
▢1 tablespoon soy sauce
▢½ tablespoon honey
▢2 cloves garlic minced or grated
▢1 tablespoon sesame oil
▢¼ cup cooked protein of choice
Instructions
Make white sushi rice in the rice cooker or pot if you haven’t already. If you have cooked white sushi rice on hand, skip this step.
Cut kimchi with scissors in very small pieces.
(Optional) Cut up any leftover protein (pork, beef, or chicken) you have in the fridge in small pieces. I used pork for mine! The added protein will enhance the flavor of the rice ball!
Once the rice is cooked, add cut up kimchi, soy sauce, honey, your protein, sesame oil and 2 cloves of grated garlic. Mix together.
To shape into balls, add a layer of rice and add mozzarella cheese in the middle. Add another layer of rice and shape into balls.
a.) To freeze, place them on parchment paper on a tray in the freezer overnight. The next day, you can cook them in the air fryer per instructions below.
b.) Eat immediately!
Air Fryer: Place the rice balls in the air fryer. Brush some sesame oil (optional) to make it crispy and heat for 15 minutes on 375 or until golden brown.
Microwave: Place the rice balls in the microwave and cover with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes on high until it is very hot!
Notes
- Soak your sushi rice before cooking to ensure that the center of the grain is soft so your rice is more delicious!
- Use sushi rice for this recipe! The rice will stick together and help create the rice ball shape and hold the cheese in the center.
- Use low moisture mozzarella cheese to ensure that the cheese is melted nicely and you get a nice cheese pull!
- Heat up the rice ball to a high temperature (hot to touch) to ensure the cheese is melted. If the rice ball is still cold, the cheese will solidify and won’t be gooey and delicious!
