Costco Is Now Selling Kimbap, and We Have to Try It ASAP

Vegetarian kimbap is now available at some Costco stores—here’s what we know so far.

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Reviewed by Dietitian Annie Nguyen, M.A., RD

Whether you walk into Costco looking for some snacks to keep around the office or ready to scoop up some economical housewares, it’s hard to resist a stroll through the ever-changing freezer aisles. Costco is always jamming its freezers full with fun new items, from healthy classics to mealtime shortcuts.

The store is back at it again with its latest addition to the frozen section: Hanwoomul Fried Tofu & Vegetable Kimbap. A Costco shopper—@costcoaisles on Instagram—spotted the newcomer on a recent shopping trip in Texas, but not all stores have the fun frozen option yet.

Kimbap fillings vary, but may consist of veggies, fish, egg, meat or tofu rolled up in cooked rice and seaweed, then sliced into colorful bites that are packed with savory flavor. This kimbap option includes tofu, spinach, carrot, pickled radish and burdock in the filling, plus seasoned rice and seaweed. Devoted Trader Joe’s shoppers might notice that those are the same main ingredients in TJ’s kimbap, which has been a fan-favorite since it first debuted in stores.

If you want to taste-test Costco’s kimbap yourself, it won’t be too costly. Each bag, which contains six pre-sliced kimbap rolls, costs $18.79. The suggested serving size is one roll, so you’ll spend about $3.13 per serving. Kimbap is a popular picnic food since it’s easy to transport, but we can also imagine enjoying a roll as a post-work or school snack. Plus, these rolls are vegetarian, so you can enjoy them with just about all of your pals.

While these kimbap rolls are a great veggie-forward option, folks who need to watch their sodium intake may want to be mindful. A one-roll serving contains 1,050 milligrams of sodium, which is almost half of the recommended 2,300 mg per day, per the American Heart Association.

Here’s the nutritional breakdown for a one-roll serving of the kimbap:

• 370 calories
• 8 grams total fat
• 1.5 g saturated fat
• 1,050 mg sodium
• 70 g carbohydrates
• 4 g fiber
• 9 g total sugar (of which 9 g is added)
• 11 g protein

With filling protein and fiber in each bite, these kimbap rolls are a solid option to keep in the freezer—we just wouldn’t make them an everyday meal due to the sodium. Still, we can’t wait to get our hands on some of these delectably veggie-loaded rolls. So if you see us lurking in the freezer aisles waiting until they arrive at our Costco locations, don’t be surprised.

Read the original article on Eating Well.