"Gimbap and Onigiri": The Cross-Cultural Comfort Foods Sparking Romance on Netflix! Full Details!
- Disha Paul
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Gimbap and Onigiri have quietly become one of the most loved and talked-about Asian romance dramas of 2026! Streaming on Netflix, the series has gone viral for its comforting storytelling, beautiful visuals, and heartfelt portrayal of connection through food. Blending Korean and Japanese cultures, the drama offers a slow-burn romance that feels warm, realistic, and deeply relatable.
If you are seeing this title everywhere and wondering whether it is worth watching, here is everything you need to know about Gimbap and Onigiri, including where to watch it, the cast, episode schedule, plot details, and why fans cannot stop talking about it!
What Is Gimbap and Onigiri About?
Gimbap and Onigiri tell a gentle cross-cultural love story centered on food, healing, and everyday life. The drama follows Park Rin, a Korean animation graduate student living in Japan. She struggles with housing issues, academic pressure, and loneliness while trying to build a future far from home.
Her life slowly changes when she meets Hase Taiga, a former university track athlete who now works part-time at a small neighborhood restaurant called Tanomi. Taiga has quietly stepped away from his past dreams and lives a simple routine focused on cooking and helping at the restaurant.
Their connection begins when Rin finds comfort in the onigiri that Taiga prepares. What starts as a small act of kindness through food gradually turns into emotional support, friendship, and eventually a heartfelt romance. Through gimbap and onigiri, two simple dishes from different cultures, the drama shows how warmth and understanding can bring people together.
Where and How to Watch Gimbap and Onigiri
Gimbap and Onigiri are available to watch worldwide on Netflix. The series premiered in January 2026 and is released weekly rather than all at once, allowing viewers to enjoy and discuss each episode as it airs.
The drama is available with subtitles in multiple languages, including English, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese, making it easily accessible for global audiences. New episodes are added every Monday, shortly after their broadcast in Japan, which has helped the show gain steady momentum and online buzz.
Episode Schedule and Format
Gimbap and Onigiri consist of 10 episodes, each running around 49 minutes. The schedule is as follows:
Episode 1: January 12, 2026
Episode 2: January 19, 2026
Episode 3: January 26, 2026
Episode 4: February 2, 2026
Episode 5: February 9, 2026
Episode 6: February 16, 2026
Episode 7: February 23, 2026
Episode 8: March 2, 2026
Episode 9: March 9, 2026
Episode 10: March 16, 2026
Cast and Characters
The cast brings together actors from both Korea and Japan, adding authenticity to the cross-cultural narrative.
Eiji Akaso as Hase Taiga is a quiet, thoughtful man who finds meaning in cooking and simple routines. His calm presence and emotional depth make him an instantly lovable lead.
Kang Hye-won as Park Rin is a Korean student navigating life in Japan. Her vulnerability, resilience, and warmth drive the emotional core of the story.
Moon Ji-hoo as Junho Kang is Rin’s college senior who offers support and guidance during her struggles.
Mai Fukagawa as Masumi Miyauchi is Taiga’s former girlfriend, adding emotional history and complexity to his character.
Seo Hye-won, Bang Eun-hee, Rin Kataoka, and Shodai Fukuyama are the supporting cast adds charm, realism, and emotional balance to the narrative.
Final Thoughts
Gimbap and Onigiri are a drama that feels like comfort food itself. With its gentle romance, cultural depth, and emotional honesty, it offers something soothing in a time when many viewers crave warmth and sincerity.
Available on Netflix for global audiences, this series is ideal for anyone who enjoys slow-burn romances, slice-of-life stories, and meaningful connections told through everyday moments.
If you are looking for a drama that feels calm, heartfelt, and quietly beautiful, Gimbap and Onigiri is definitely worth adding to your watchlist!
Are you planning to watch Gimbap and Onigiri? Tell us what part of the story you are most excited about.