If a comparison has to be drawn between the two cuisines, it would be more precise to compare kimbap to Japanese maki - seaweed and rice rolls ... siu), surimi (fake crab legs), firm tofu ...

Maki rolls have a portion of fish or vegetables wrapped with rice and seaweed ... and steamed crab. Sometimes, the more affordable "imitation crab", also known as crab sticks, is swapped in.