“Koreans are crazy!” Cardi B said with delight — and that one line sent a classic Korean pantry item skyrocketing in global demand.
Cardi B’s Spicy Tuna Craze from SNS
It’s not K-pop or K-beauty this time. The unexpected star? Gochu Tuna — a spicy canned tuna that most Koreans eat as a quick, no-fuss meal when there’s nothing else in the fridge.
But thanks to Cardi B’s viral Instagram Live, where she mixed gochu tuna with rice, mayo, and seaweed to make her own kimbap, the humble snack suddenly turned Insta-famous. The clip has since been reuploaded to YouTube, racking up over 4 million views, with fans recreating the dish in countless parody videos.
Now, this once-overlooked Korean staple is being called a “challenge recipe” across TikTok and YouTube. Demand for gochu tuna is surging, and exports by Korean food brand Dongwon F&B have expanded to 28 countries, including the U.S., Japan, Vietnam, and China.
How to Make Cardi B’s Gochu Tuna Kimbap
Cardi B’s viral “gochu tuna” moment made everyone curious about this simple Korean snack — spicy tuna and seaweed. If you’ve seen her Instagram Live and want to try it yourself, here’s how to make her version at home.
What you’ll need
- 1 can of Korean spicy tuna (gochu tuna)
- 1 bowl of hot rice
- A spoon of mayo
- A few sheets of roasted seaweed
- (Optional) Sesame oil, sesame seeds, or cucumber slices
How to make it
- Open the can of tuna and mix it with warm rice.
- Add mayo and stir until creamy.
- Place the mix on a seaweed sheet, roll it up like kimbap or fold it like a small wrap.
- Add sesame oil or seeds if you like extra flavor.
It’s spicy, creamy, and surprisingly addictive — no wonder Cardi B called it “perfect.”
Final Thoughts
So next time you’re looking for something new (and a little spicy) to try, take a page from Cardi B’s book and make your own Korean-style spicy tuna roll.
It’s fun, comforting, and totally share-worthy.
And hey — if you’ve got any questions or end up making it yourself, drop a comment below. Can’t wait to hear how yours turns out!