Prepare the Rice

1. Cook the Rice: Start by cooking 2 cups of short-grain rice. If you have leftover rice from a previous meal, it works great here! Warm rice is best for making rice balls as it sticks together more easily.
2. Season the Rice: In a large bowl, combine the warm rice with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sugar. Mix gently to avoid mashing the rice while ensuring each grain is coated.
3. Add the Seaweed and Sesame Seeds: Crumble the roasted seaweed into small pieces and stir it into the rice. Sprinkle in sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor. Set the rice mixture aside to cool slightly before shaping.

Prepare the Fillings (Optional)

While your rice cools slightly, prepare the fillings:

1. Cook the Ground Meat: If you’re using ground beef or pork, sauté it in a pan with a little oil, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and soy sauce to taste. Once cooked, set it aside.
2. Chop Vegetables and Kimchi: Finely chop any vegetables like spinach, carrots, or zucchini. If you’re using kimchi, chop it finely to incorporate into the rice easily.
3. Boil the Egg: Boil an egg for about 10 minutes, then chop it into small pieces.

Shape the Rice Balls

Once your rice has cooled slightly (it should still be warm but not too hot to handle), it’s time to form the rice balls:

1. Take a Portion of Rice: Using your hands, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the seasoned rice. If you’re using fillings, press a little bit of your chosen filling into the center of the rice before closing it up.
2. Form the Ball: Gently mold the rice into a round shape. You want them to be compact enough to hold together but not too tight that they become mushy. If you prefer, you can also shape them into an oval or triangular shape.
3. Repeat: Continue forming rice balls until you’ve used all the rice and fillings.

Serve and Enjoy

Now that your Korean Rice Balls are ready, it’s time to serve them:

1. Garnish with Seaweed: For an extra touch, you can sprinkle some extra crumbled seaweed or sesame seeds on top of the rice balls.
2. Plate: Arrange the rice balls on a plate, or pack them in a lunchbox for a portable meal.
3. Enjoy: Take a bite and enjoy the balance of savory, crunchy, and soft textures!