If you’ve been walking through the Market Square lately, you might have noticed a new face bringing something fresh to Cambridge. Kimbap82 has opened, offering another small independent eatery to our thriving foodie scene.

But what is Kimbap82? It is an independent Korean street food stall run by Caro, a face that some of you might even recognise from her time over at Kibou. She has decided to take the plunge and has set up her own business selling Kimbap.

And what is a Kimbap? Think of it as a Korean rice roll. It is an ideal portable meal suited for lunch on the go. It is similar to sushi but isn’t exclusively vegetables or fish, making it more flexible with the freedom to use more ingredients.

The Menu

The menu is simple, effective, and very reasonably priced. Kimbap is the only option but there are 3 gluten free choices available. The rolls are great to eat on the go with minimal mess. I am always making a right mess while eating at the Cambridge Market, so this is very welcome news.

• Vegetable Kimbap (V/GF): Fresh veggies and pickled radish.
• Egg & Cheese Kimbap (GF): A lovely, comforting mix of egg, cheese, and fresh veg.
• Tuna Mayo Kimbap (GF): A classic, reliable favourite.
• Sausage Kimbap: Featuring frankfurter and fish stick.
• Bulgogi Beef Kimbap: The star of the show for me – marinated beef with crisp vegetables.

If you’re looking for a quick lunch, they have a brilliant deal where you can add a Milkis. This is a rather unique and unusual (yet surprisingly refreshing) Korean cream soda for only £1.

Kimbap

The rolls are made fresh in front of your very eyes and the ingredients are prepared daily. The rolls were a decent size, offering enough substance to keep you going throughout the day.

I highly recommend you try the Bulgogi Beef. A popular Korean option made from thinly sliced marinated beef with a garlicky taste. It was soft and punchy with a satisfying crunchiness from the cucumber and radish – everything you want from a mouthful.

I couldn’t resist the pull of the Sausage Kimbap which came packed with a fish stick and shredded carrot. It is made from a whole frankfurter sausage and a fish stick, offering a subtle complexity to the taste. I wasn’t entirely sold on the frankfurter quality, if I’m honest, but I enjoyed it non the less.

Korean food is popping up all over Cambridge, with 6 locations now open across the city. As someone who loves Korean food, it is an exciting time to be a foodie. Having Kimbap82 on the Cambridge Market is also another testament to the ever growing diversity of options available.

If you’re passing through the square on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday between 10:30 and 16:00; do yourself a favour and stop by. Grab a Bulgogi Beef roll, say hello to Caro, and support someone who is genuinely pouring her heart into what she does.

Thanks for reading