NewIdeaFood
  • News
  • Dinner Tonight
  • Baking
  • Trolley Watch
  • Easy Entertaining
  • Healthy-ish
  • Video
NewIdeaFood
  • News
  • Dinner Tonight
  • Baking
  • Trolley Watch
  • Easy Entertaining
  • Healthy-ish
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

What is kimchi?

Everything you need to know about the Korean delicacy. - by Lottie Dalziel
  • 23 Jun 2019
What is kimchi?

Kimchi (pronounced kym-chee) is one of Korea’s most famous culinary creations. It is a dish of salted, pickled vegetables that is flavoured generously with chilli and garlic, and in Korea it is served at every meal – even breakfast!

In Western society, we know kimchi as pickled cabbage with a generous dash of fish sauce, dried shrimps and lots of chilli. There are hundreds of possible varieties of kimchi available, in some recipes you will find ginger root, daikon radish, carrot, garlic and other herbs.

Most commonly, kimchi is made from napa cabbage and Korean radish.

Cooking with kimchi

Kimchi works as the perfect accompaniment to a whole variety of dishes. With it’s crunchy and sour taste one of our favourite ways to serve it is on top of meat. For example adding a generous spoonful to your burger or roll or serve it on the side of absolutely everything from fried rice, to dumplings and curries.

Here are two of our favourite dishes featuring kimchi. 

Sweet & Sour Chicken Drumsticks

Kimchi

A quick and easy meal to satisfy the whole family. Get the full recipe.

Kimchi dogs

Kimchi

Kimchi is a food that goes really well with other cuisines. Burgers and sandwiches can be perked up with a spoonful. This trend is fast becoming mainstream. Get the full recipe.

Flavour

So what does kimchi taste like? It is hard to generalise as depending on what you pickle and how long you pickle it for the flavours do change. Kimchi is best known for its salty and acidic flavours that is the perfect accompaniment to rich dishes.

Nutritional benefits of kimchi

In need of another reason why you should be adding a crunchy spoonful of kimchi to your next meal? South Koreans consume on average 18kg of kimchi per person, each year! So let’s talk about the nutritional benefits of kimchi.

Like many fermented foods kimchi is loaded with good probiotics which help aid gut health and digestion it is also a great source of fibre, calcium, iron and potassium. Not only that but just one serving provides over 50% of the daily recommended vitamin C and carotene intake.

The napa cabbage is a great source of vitamins K, C and B6.

As it is made mostly of cabbage (depending on the recipe) kimchi has very few calories and if no fish sauce or shrimps are added is vegan as well.

kimchi

How to make your own kimchi

Try this recipe from our friends at Better Homes and Gardens for a punchy refresh on the Korean delicacy.

Ingredients

  • 1⁄2 wombok
  • 1⁄4 cup fine salt
  • 1 Tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tsp finely grated ginger
  • 1 Tbsp gochujang or chilli sauce
  • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 green shallots, thinly sliced

Method

  1. Cut half wombok in half again, lengthways. Cut out the white core and discard. Cut leaves into 4cm pieces and
    put in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and sugar, tossing to combine. Set aside for 15 minutes, then rinse under cold water and drain well.
  2. Meanwhile, combine ginger, garlic, gochujang or chilli sauce, vinegar and fish sauce in a large bowl. Add shallots and drained wombok, mixing well to combine. Serve.

We recommend adding the gochujang or chilli sauce gradually to suit your tastebuds.

History of kimchi

First documented in 37BC-7AD, kimchi was used as the primary way of storing vegetables before refrigerators. Earthenware dishes are used to help extend the lifetime of vegetables but also to keep them from being frozen in winter. prolonged lifetime, but these days the preservation process requires a minimum of two weeks.

Historically speaking, kimchi wasn’t a spicy dish, it is believed that chillies weren’t added until at least the 17th century. When after the war it travelled the world and became popular in Western society.

Where to buy kimchi?

You can purchase kimchi from your local supermarket, but if you are after authentic kimchi try your local Asian grocer.

Kimchi
$4.5

Obap Kimchi Paste 180g

Buy

How to store kimchi?

Kimchi must be kept at a cool temperature, you can leave it to ferment in a cool, dark place but once opened it is best to keep it in the fridge. If looked after properly you can store kimchi for over one year.

Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel
Lottie Dalziel, is a 4AM riser and coffee-addict who lives and breathes all things food. When she isn't reading up on the latest trends in sustainability or discovering ways to upcycle almost anything, you can find her by the beach, cooking up a storm or adding to her abundant (some would say out of control) plant collection.

Subscribe to New Idea to enter into Magshop's $50,000 Winter Giveaway!-Save up to 45%

Subscribe to New Idea Weekly

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea to enter into Magshop's $50,000 Winter Giveaway!

Subscribe to New Idea to enter into Magshop's $50,000 Winter Giveaway!-Save up to 45%

Subscribe to New Idea Weekly

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea to enter into Magshop's $50,000 Winter Giveaway!

Recommended to you

ALDI - DON'T DROWN IN ONE-OFF DISCOUNTS!
Watch 0:15

ALDI - DON'T DROWN IN ONE-OFF DISCOUNTS!

{headline}

{headline}

How to Seal and Sterilise Jars

How to Seal and Sterilise Jars

How to Pickle Beetroot

How to Pickle Beetroot

There's a new Vegan Mac & Cheese on the block & it's perfect for a quick dinner

There's a new Vegan Mac & Cheese on the block & it's perfect for a quick dinner

What tea to brew based on your current mood

What tea to brew based on your current mood

{headline}

{headline}

Stuck in lockdown? Keep busy with some of the best whiskies from around the world

Stuck in lockdown? Keep busy with some of the best whiskies from around the world

Grill'd and Heston Blumenthal have launched unbelievable new plant-based burgers

Grill'd and Heston Blumenthal have launched unbelievable new plant-based burgers

Uncle Tobys expands into oat milk with all-new vegan range

Uncle Tobys expands into oat milk with all-new vegan range

{headline}

{headline}

Darrell Lea has released its mouth-watering Rocklea Road Cookie recipe

Darrell Lea has released its mouth-watering Rocklea Road Cookie recipe

In A Biskit might be coming back and here's the proof

In A Biskit might be coming back and here's the proof

10 Best Air Fryers in Australia to Buy Today

10 Best Air Fryers in Australia to Buy Today

KitKat releases its new Rocky Road chocolate bar & it looks like a hit

KitKat releases its new Rocky Road chocolate bar & it looks like a hit

This 1-minute Peanut Butter Biscoff Cake in a mug is a total dream

This 1-minute Peanut Butter Biscoff Cake in a mug is a total dream

Cadbury Caramilk ice cream is real and it's finally here!

Cadbury Caramilk ice cream is real and it's finally here!

Choc-mint fans go crazy for the launch of KitKat Chunky Aero Mint

Choc-mint fans go crazy for the launch of KitKat Chunky Aero Mint

NewIdeaFood
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Dietary info
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
NewIdeaFood Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Dietary info
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • Better Homes and Gardens Shop
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Home Beautiful
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea Food

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea to enter into Magshop's $50,000 Winter Giveaway!-Save up to 45%

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea to enter into Magshop's $50,000 Winter Giveaway!