Kimchi (napa cabbage kimchi)

김치 kimchi

Flavor and role

Korea's signature preserved vegetable: napa cabbage salted, mixed with chili flakes, fermented seafood and garlic, then fermented. The riper it gets, the deeper its sourness and savoriness.

Typical dishes and uses

Kimchi jjigae (well-fermented kimchi), kimchi fried rice, kimchijeon, dubu kimchi (tofu with stir-fried kimchi).

Substitutes

Hard to replace. Similar sour, fermented flavor can be had from sauerkraut + chili flakes. Sour, aged kimchi is best for jjigae.

Storage

Refrigerate (0-4°C) pressed down so it stays submerged in its liquid. It starts turning sour after 2-3 weeks and keeps for months; once sour, use it for jjigae and stir-fries.

Main countries

Korea

Used in this book

Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi Stew)Bindaetteok (Mung Bean Pancakes)Bossam (Korean Boiled Pork Wraps)Budae-jjigae (Korean Army Base Stew)Dak-kalguksu (Korean Chicken Knife-Cut Noodle Soup)Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap)Kimchi Jeon (Korean Kimchi Pancake)Samgyeopsal (Korean Grilled Pork Belly)Bulgogi Kimchi ArepasKimchi Butter Grilled CheeseGochujang-Glazed Bangers with Kimchi Butter MashBulgogi Kimchi Bánh MìKimchi Bánh Xèo with Pork Belly and Gochujang Dipping SauceBibimbap Burritos with Gochujang-Lime MayoMarket-Style Thick Bindaetteok in Pork FatOkonomiyaki-Style BindaetteokCheesy Mung Bean Kimchi BallsKoryo-saram Kimchi BorschtBossam TacosBudae Jeongol with Brisket Broth and Aged Chilli PasteBudae-jjigae Rosé PenneBudae Fried Rice Cheese GratinGochujang Chicken Curry Bunny Chow with Kimchi Slaw (Korean x South African)Kimchi Bulgogi Breakfast BurritoKimchi Bulgogi Campfire NachosKimchi Carbonara UdonKimchi bacon char kway teowKimchi-Gochujang Chilaquiles with Melted MozzarellaGochujang Kimchi ChiliKimchi Pork Belly Chow Mein (Korean x Chinese)Hand-Cut Dak-kalguksu in Clear Chicken BrothKhao Soi-Style Coconut Curry Dak-kalguksuKimchi Pork and Cheese EmpanadasKimchi Cheese Stuffed Naan with Gochujang Garlic ButterKimchi Cheese GyozaKimchi Cheese GyudonKimchi Jambalaya with a Jammy Fried EggCrispy-Skirt Kimchi Pork PotstickersFolded Kimbap Square (Four-Quadrant Seaweed Sandwich)Crispy Pork Belly and Aged Kimchi Butter Fried RiceKimchi Cheese OmuriceMozzarella Kimchi Fried Rice CroquettesCrispy Aged-Kimchi Jeon with Pork BellyKimchi Jeon Pizza with Pepperoni and Hot HoneyKimchi Jeon Street ToastAged-Kimchi Pork Belly Jjigae with Anchovy BrothKimchi Bacon Cream UdonKimchi Jjigae Cheesy Crispy Fried RiceKimchi gochujang bulgogi lahmacunKimchi Bulgogi LasagnaKimchi Butter Mofongo with Spicy Gochujang PorkKimchi Nasi GorengPork Kimchi Cheese Okonomiyaki with Gochujang MayoPicanha Ssam with Kimchi Vinagrete and Honey SsamjangKimchi Cheese Potsticker PierogiGochujang Salmon Poke BowlBulgogi Poutine with Gochujang Gravy and KimchiGochujang Chicken Pozole (Korean-Mexican)Gochujang Pulled Pork Tacos with Kimchi SlawKimchi Bacon Quesadillas with Gochujang CremaKimchi Bacon QuicheJeju-Style Thick-Cut Pork Belly with Anchovy DipGochujang Pork Belly Tacos with Kimchi SalsaKimchi Gochujang ShakshukaBulgogi Smash Burger with Butter Kimchi and Gochujang MayoGochujang Pork Souvlaki Wrap with Sesame TzatzikiBulgogi Tacos with Kimchi SlawKimchi Cheese YakisobaBulgogi Yorkshire Pudding Bowls

Updated 2026-10-10