More Than a Roll: The Secret Soul of Gimbap

The Center for Asia Pacific Studies is delighted to welcome TakeRoot to our campus for a hands-on Gimbap-making workshop.

What makes a dish more than just fuel? This program explores the idea of "Soul Food" through the lens of Korean history and the collective psyche. Presenters will examine how certain foods become vessels for memory, comfort, and national resilience, and how they come to carry the emotional resonance of a people’s shared past. 

Using Gimbap as a central case study, we will trace its evolution from a simple, practical meal to a beloved cultural icon. From childhood school trips to modern-day community gatherings, gimbap has been the indispensable companion to Korea’s most significant life moments. More than a roll of rice and seaweed, it’s a tightly wrapped story of family, heritage, and what it means to belong. 

Organization bio: 

Founded in 2022, TakeRoot is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering immigrant women through education, community-building, and cultural programs. Its work focuses on helping immigrant women discover and strengthen their identities by fostering supportive community spaces, offering self-esteem development programs, and connecting participants with local communities.

This event is co-sponsored by Asian Studies. 

This event is free and open to the USF community. Seats limited. Attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.