Dear Trader Joe’s Kimbap, from trending on TikTok to trending in my fridge
Our story began not in the freezer aisle but on TikTok, where you stole the spotlight in countless “must-try” Trader Joe’s hauls. People couldn’t stop raving about your perfectly seasoned rice, crisp veggies, and delicate seaweed wrap. You were more than just a snack; you were a beacon of hope, a light at the end of the tunnel of the darkest of days.
The day I went to Trader Joes to find out what you were all about, my heart was palpitating with anticipation. But when I looked for you in the freezer aisle you were nowhere to be found. I was heartbroken. You were gone—sold out! Leaving only an empty desolate freezer space. I stared at that void, imagining the joy I had just been denied. My stomach sank and I grieved the kimbap experience I feared I may never get to have.
For days, I checked my local Trader Joe’s with hope. What if I missed my chance? What if I never experienced the magic everyone was talking about? But as fate would have it, a few weeks later, I walked into another Trader Joe’s, and there you were, as if you were letting me know you were waiting for me. I wasn’t taking any chances this time—I grabbed not just one but three, just to be sure that I’d never have to go through that negative experience again. Besides, at $3.99? I could definitely afford it so why not?
When I finally brought you home and took that first bite, it was everything TikTok promised and more. The umami, the freshness (although you came frozen), the perfectly balanced textures—it was all there! All wrapped up in thin seaweed hug.
You’re more than just a snack—you’re Korean-inspired comfort in moments when I’m too lazy to drive to the nearest Korean market.
Thank you for living up to the hype. You are the real one!
Sincerely,
Me