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Thin, crisp-looking sheets of deep green-black seaweed lie in a loose stack, their surfaces slightly glossy and finely wrinkled.
●Low GI

Korean seaweed Calories

Mineral and iodine rich, low-calorie, traditional Korean snack

In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter

CALORIES · 100 G

35kcal

GI

15low

POTASSIUM · 100 G

310mg

FIBER · 100 G

3.1g

Quick answer

1 pack (small) of Korean seaweed (5 g) has 2 calories. That works out to 35 calories per 100 g. It contains 0.3 g of carbs, 0.3 g of protein, 0 g of fat and 0.2 g of fiber. Its 115 µg of Iodine covers 77% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 15 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

Korean seaweed Nutrition Facts

Selected: 1 pack (small) · 5 g

2

KCAL / 5G

Carbs

0.3g

· 0% DV

Protein

0.3g

· 1% DV

Fat

0g

· 0% DV

Fiber

0.2g

· 1% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 50% · Protein 50% · Fat 0%

Korean seaweed nutrition facts table · 1 pack (small) (5 g)

NutrientAmount% DV
Calories2 kcal
Total fat0 g0%
Saturated fat0.01 g0%
Trans fat0 g
Sodium26 mg1%
Total carbohydrate0.3 g0%
Fiber0.2 g1%
Protein0.3 g1%

Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.

Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.

Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.

Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.

Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.

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How Many Calories in 1 Small Pack of Korean seaweed?

ServingAmountCalories
1 pack (small)5 g2 kcal
1 piece (small)2 g1 kcal
1 tablespoon (shredded)2 g1 kcal
1 serving (medium)8 g3 kcal
1 pack (medium)10 g4 kcal
5 piece (medium)10 g4 kcal
1 cup (shredded)15 g5 kcal
1 pack (large)20 g7 kcal
10 piece (large)20 g7 kcal
100 g100 g35 kcal

Calculated from 35 calories per 100 g.

Frequently Asked Questions About Korean seaweed

What is Korean seaweed?

Korean seaweed usually refers to gim, thin sheets of edible seaweed that are dried and often roasted. It is a familiar Korean snack and is also eaten with rice or used in other dishes.

How do you eat Korean seaweed?

Eat Korean seaweed straight from the pack, wrap it around rice, or crumble it over rice and soups. For the crispest texture, serve it soon after opening, since exposure to air and moisture softens the sheets.

Is Korean seaweed healthy?

Korean seaweed can be a nourishing snack: it provides minerals, including iodine, and is traditionally eaten in small portions. Seasoned varieties may contain added salt or oil, so their overall nutritional profile can differ from plain sheets.

Is Korean seaweed the same as nori?

Korean seaweed, often called gim, and Japanese nori are closely related seaweed products, but the names are not interchangeable for every product. Gim is commonly sold roasted as a snack, while sushi nori is often plain and sturdy enough for rolling.

Why is Korean seaweed so crispy?

Korean seaweed becomes crispy when its thin sheets are dried and, for many snack products, roasted. Once opened, moisture in the air quickly softens it, so seal the pack tightly or transfer the sheets to an airtight container.

Does Korean seaweed contain iodine, and can it affect the thyroid?

Yes, Korean seaweed contains iodine, but the amount varies between products. Iodine affects thyroid function, so people with thyroid conditions or those taking thyroid medication should ask their clinician before making seaweed a regular part of their diet.

Can you use Korean seaweed for sushi?

Yes, Korean seaweed can work for sushi-style rolls, especially when the sheets are plain and large enough to wrap. Seasoned snack sheets can be oily, salty, or too fragile, so they may not hold a roll together as well.

How is Korean seaweed made?

Korean seaweed is commonly made by harvesting edible laver, cleaning it, forming it into thin sheets, and drying it. Snack versions are often roasted and may be seasoned with salt or oil.

What is the difference between Korean seaweed and kombu?

Korean seaweed, or gim, is usually sold as thin, crisp sheets for snacking or eating with rice. Kombu is a thicker seaweed more often used to make soup stock, so it is not a direct substitute for snack sheets.

What does Korean seaweed taste like?

Korean seaweed has a light ocean flavor and a savory, umami taste. Roasted snack versions are crisp, and seasoned varieties can taste noticeably saltier or richer than plain dried sheets.

Korean seaweed Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

0.11µg · 5% DV

Vitamin K

3.25µg · 3% DV

Folate

9µg · 2% DV

Vitamin C

1.95mg · 2% DV

Minerals

Iodine

115µg · 77% DV

Manganese

0.03mg · 1% DV

Sodium

26mg · 1% DV

Magnesium

3mg · 1% DV

Potassium ⭐

16mg · 0% DV

Korean seaweed Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

15
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

0.1
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Korean seaweed

To burn the 2 calories in 1 pack (small) (5 g):

🚶

1min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

1min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

1min

Cycling

🏊

1min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

What is Korean seaweed?

Korean seaweed usually refers to thin sheets of seaweed, often dried and roasted; in Korea, this style is known as gim. It may be sold plain or lightly seasoned with oil and salt. The sheets are crisp and delicate, with a savoury, briny, umami flavour.

In Korea, gim is commonly served with rice, wrapped around bites, or eaten as a snack. Elsewhere, it works just as well alongside rice bowls or as a crisp snack on its own. It is low in calories and provides fibre and minerals, including iodine. If you are watching your salt intake, choose an unsalted or lightly seasoned variety.

How Nutritious Is Korean seaweed?

Nutrient density

Very high

85/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

High

60/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Is Korean seaweed Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Korean seaweed Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Korean seaweed Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Korean seaweed Fat Profile

SATURATED

0.01g

MONOUNSATURATED

0g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.01g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 0:1

Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.

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Foods Similar to Korean seaweed

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Salmon Fillet

206 kcal

🐟

Canned Tuna

116 kcal

🐟

Fish

110 kcal

🐟

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132 kcal

🐟

Baked Sea Bass

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🐟

Grilled Sea Bass

124 kcal

🐟

Whiting

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🦪

Stuffed Mussels

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.