Oni Kimbap: Freshly-made gimbap loaded with quality ingredients by Korean chef at Aperia Mall

Unlike Japanese sushi, the rice in Korean gimbap is flavoured with aromatic oil from the gods (ahem, I mean sesame oil). I recently made a trip down to Aperia Mall where I had the opportunity to visit Oni Kimbap, which freshly makes these Korean treats. It’s a Korean home-based business that just opened its first physical store in June 2022.

One of the owners, a native Korean lady from Seoul, explored various spots across her country, sampling gimbaps from 18 different locations. However, a common issue persisted: each of them had limited ingredients and inexpensive fillings such as imitation crabmeat.

This sparked their resolve to exclusively procure fresh, high-quality ingredients for their rice rolls, guaranteeing that their customers can indulge in nothing but the finest.

If you assume that the menu is limited to gimbap, you’re mistaken. In addition, they provide a range of options including bibimbap, Korean noodles and other side dishes.

The spacious venue boasts towering floor-to-ceiling windows, providing abundant natural light. Take in the picturesque views of lush greenery and clear blue skies while bopping your head to K-pop tunes.

Weekdays (Monday to Friday) offer both dine-in and takeaway options from 11.30am to 2.30pm. You can also conveniently choose between self-pickup or home delivery for cheaper (no GST charges) by visiting their online site. To ensure a seamless experience, it’s highly recommended to pre-order at least 2 days in advance to avoid any disappointment.

Now, before I start. Oni Kimbap is having a special collaboration with Ombré (a long time patron of theirs), an express facial spot. They’re sponsoring a 20% discount facial treatment voucher for all Sethlui.com readers.

For dine-ins, quote ‘SETHLUI’ when placing your order to get the voucher.

For online orders, simply quote ‘SETHLUI’ under remarks to receive the voucher with your order.

What I tried at Oni Kimbap

If you’re longing for the irresistible Korean spicy rice cake street food, then the Tteokbokki Cheese (S$6.90) at Oni Kimbap pushes all the right buttons.

It had a generous serving of eomuk (Korean fish cakes), chewy rice cakes, sausage slices and loads of rich, gooey cheese. The robust flavour and fiery kick of the gochujang chilli paste was perfectly balanced without overwhelming the taste buds.

With 10 different types of Rice Kimbap for you to take your pick from, there’s definitely something for everyone here.

We took our first step to Korean rice roll heaven with the Kani (S$9.90). This best-seller had creamy Japanese crab salad, egg, carrot strips, pickles and crunchy Japanese cucumbers stuffed within a thin layer of fragrant sesame oil-laden rice and seaweed.

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The rice rolls were a visual feast, captivating with their vibrant array of perfectly arranged ingredients, each contributing to a stunning tapestry of colours.

As soon as you take a bite, your taste buds are greeted by the refreshing brightness of the vegetables, followed by a multitude of textures. The luscious kani was so delicious; no wonder it’s a crowd-favourite!

Dunking my piece of gimbap into the Garlic Dipping (+S$1) sauce was life-changing. The aromatic notes of the pungent garlic paired really well with the faintly-sweet mayo. The dips served here are all made from scratch. According to the owner, they handpick only good quality old garlic from supermarkets.

We also tried it with the Stir-Fried Kimchi (S$1.50). Unlike typical kimchi variations that often lean towards sharpness or sourness, the version served here was perfectly balanced. Even though we loaded an enormous portion onto the gimbap, it remained a delightful combination, as depicted in the picture below.

Undoubtedly, the most captivating flavour among them was the Cheese Walnut (S$10.90). These were no ordinary walnuts, mind you! They were meticulously sourced premium-grade ones, directly imported from Korea. If you’re not particularly fond of the slight bitterness often associated with walnuts, fear not. These nuts were caramelised in sugar, resulting in a delectable sweetness.

The velvety smoothness of the cream cheese took the experience to another level, elevating the internal rating I had already been keeping in my mind.

The Jjolmyeon (S$9.90) consisted of Korean noodles, fresh peeled prawns, Japanese cucumber slices, soybean sprouts and fresh lettuce. We slathered on the homemade sauce, crafted from a concoction of Korean chillies, cucumbers and onions.

After giving it a good tossing, the entire bowl of noodles was as red as the morning sun. The chilled noodles provided instant refreshment, while the tanginess of the sauce awakened my taste buds. It was swiftly followed by a harmonious combination of sweet and spicy flavours.

For those who are counting their calories or simply seeking something light, Oni Kimbap substitutes rice with finely-shredded egg for their Rice-Less Kimbap (S$11.90).

I tried the Ebi and the Tuna versions and both were light as a feather. If you’re concerned about the dreaded post-lunch food coma and the risk of dozing off at the office, these options are perfect for keeping you energised and focused throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

With Oni Kimbap now having its very own public space for dine-ins, their diverse selection of gimbaps and delectable Korean cuisine becomes even more accessible to the public.

After savouring their gimbap, I’m uncertain if any other establishment can rival their exceptional quality— I can’t wait to have it again!

Expected damage: S$10 – S$20 per pax

* This post was brought to you in partnership with Oni Kimbap.

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