Best Kimchi Recipes

TRADITIONAL KIMCHI

Steps:

• Place cabbage and radish in a large colander. Sprinkle liberally with salt and mix to combine. Set aside for 1 hour. Add additional salt, mix, and set aside 1 hour more. Rinse cabbage and let drain.
• Meanwhile, combine garlic, onion, ginger, and rice vinegar in a blender. Add water and blend aromatic mixture on high power.
• Transfer drained cabbage to a large bowl and add aromatic mixture. Add persimmon, cucumber, green onions, and red pepper flakes and mix well.
• Transfer kimchi to airtight containers and refrigerate for 3 days.

KIMCHI

Steps:

• Place the cabbage in a large bowl, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons (17 grams) of the salt, and toss to coat. After 15 minutes, massage and squeeze the cabbage until it begins to release liquid. Set aside for another 15 minutes, then massage again and set aside for another 15 minutes.
• Place the daikon in a medium bowl and season with the granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Set aside for 15 minutes.
• Whisk the gochugaru, water, brown sugar, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a third medium bowl to form a coarse paste.
• To make the kimchi flavor paste, use either a mini-food processor, mortar and pestle, or immersion blender and a jar to puree the pear, onion, 10 grams (about 1/6) of the ginger, 6 grams (about 1/4) of the garlic, and the salted shrimp until smooth. Add this to the gochugaru mixture and stir to combine.
• Squeeze as much liquid as you can from the daikon without breaking the pieces and add to the cabbage, along with the scallions, the remaining ginger and garlic, and the kimchi paste.
• Position a gallon-size zip-top bag inside a pitcher or some other vessel that will allow it to be held open for loading. Wearing disposable gloves, mix the kimchi paste into the cabbage mixture with your hands, being sure to thoroughly coat the cabbage with the paste (see Cook's Note).
• Transfer the mixture to the plastic bag, then ditch the gloves and seal the bag, working out as much air as possible. The lactic acid bacteria that will magically transform the humble ingredients into kimchee prefer anaerobic environments.
• Place the sealed bag flat on a sheet pan or large baking dish and leave at room temperature until the mixture has bubbled enough to inflate the bag, at least 24 hours, but possibly up to 3 days. Transfer the kimchi and its liquid into two wide-mouthed quart-size glass jars with lids and refrigerate. Consume immediately for very fresh kimchi, or leave it for a month for a kimchi that's deeply flavored, well-rounded, and slightly effervescent.
• Refrigerated, kimchi will basically never go bad and will actually improve in flavor for months after going into the jar. Cooking will mellow its flavors, so if it gets too funky for you, it's time to make kimchi fried rice.

QUICK KIMCHI

Steps:

• Slice the cabbage into 2.5cm strips. Tip into a bowl, mix with 1 tbsp sea salt, then set aside for 1 hr. Meanwhile, make the kimchi paste by blending the garlic, ginger, fish sauce (if using), chilli sauce, sugar and rice vinegar together in a small bowl.
• Rinse the cabbage under cold running water, drain and dry thoroughly. Transfer to a large bowl and toss through the paste, along with the radishes, carrot and spring onions. Serve straight away or pack into a large jar, seal and leave to ferment at room temperature overnight, then chill. Will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks - the flavour will improve the longer it's left.

KIMCHI (KOREAN FERMENTED SPICY CABBAGE)

Steps:

• Remove discolored, bruised outer leaves of cabbage and rinse cabbage under cold water. Cut cabbage head into 2-inch pieces.
• Divide 3 cups water among 3 bowls. Stir 1 cup sea salt into each bowl of water. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup sea salt over cabbage.
• Place salted cabbage in the 3 bowls salted water until partially submerged; let sit 6 to 12 hours.
• Rinse cabbage thoroughly under cold water several times. Squeeze cabbage to remove excess water. Cabbage should have a rubbery texture. Transfer cabbage to a colander or basket to thoroughly drain the cabbage, at least 2 hours.
• Combine 3 cups water and rice flour in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Whisk mixture until a glue-like consistency, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and cool rice mixture to room temperature.
• Combine onion, garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon water in a food processor; pulse until smooth, adding more water if needed.
• Pour chile flakes into a large bowl; stir in onion-garlic mixture, cooled rice flour mixture, fish sauce, shrimp, brown sugar, and sesame seeds until well mixed. Add radish and green onions and mix well.
• Coat each cabbage piece with chile mixture by using your hands. (Rubber gloves are highly recommended.) Pack coated cabbage leaves inside air-tight glass jars or containers; cover each tightly with a lid. Keep jars at room temperature for fermentation to occur, about 2 days. Refrigerate kimchi after the 2 days.

SPICY CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• Cut the cabbages in half lengthwise and trim the ends. Rinse and cut into pieces about 2 inch square. Place the cabbage into large resealable bags and sprinkle salt on the leaves so they are evenly coated. Use your hands to rub the salt in to the leaves. Seal the bags and leave at room temperature for 6 hours.
• Rinse the salt from the cabbage leaves and then drain and squeeze out any excess liquid. Place the cabbage in a large container with a tight fitting lid. Stir in the fish sauce, green onions, white onion, garlic, sugar and ginger. Sprinkle the Korean chile powder over the mixture. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands and rub the chile powder into the cabbage leaves until evenly coated. Seal the container and set in a cool dry place. Leave undisturbed for 4 days. Refrigerate before serving, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month (if it lasts that long!).

KOREAN KIMCHI

Steps:

• Cut the cabbage leaves into 2 inch long pieces. Spread 1/4 of the leaves into a large, non-metallic bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 of the salt. Repeat layering all of the cabbage has been salted. Let stand at room temperature until a lot of liquid has been pulled from the leaves and the cabbage is tender, 3 to 4 hours; drain. Rinse the cabbage in 2 or 3 changes of water. Drain again very well and return the cabbage to the mixing bowl.
• Sprinkle the cabbage with the minced garlic, green onions, MSG, and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with additional salt and toss until evenly combined. Pack the mixture into a sterilized gallon-sized glass jar. Cover the jar with wax paper and a loose fitting lid so the seal is not airtight.
• Allow the cabbage to ferment at room temperature until it reaches the desired degree of sourness, 2 to 5 days. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.

CUCUMBER KIMCHI (OI SOBAEGI)

Steps:

• Cut cucumber into 4-inch pieces and cut each piece into quarters. Place cucumber pieces in a bowl, add salt, and mix until coated. Let cucumbers stand at room temperature until liquid has been extracted, about 30 minutes; drain.
• Combine scallions, vinegar, garlic, ginger, chile oil, Korean chile powder, sugar, and fish sauce in a non-reactive bowl.
• Stir cucumbers into the vinegar mixture; cover bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate cucumber mixture until chilled and flavors have blended, at least 30 minutes.

KIMCHI JJIGAE (KIMCHI SOUP)

Steps:

• Put pork belly in a bowl. Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil and fish sauce. Toss well to coat and let marinate for 10 minutes.
• Set a heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat. Melt butter, then add pork belly mixture and let it cook gently for 5 minutes. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Turn heat to medium high and add kimchi, gochujang and gochugaru. Let mixture simmer for 2 minutes.
• Add kimchi juice and water (or broth, if using) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a brisk simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Taste broth and adjust seasoning.
• Just before serving, add tofu and stir gently to combine. When tofu is heated through, ladle into bowls and garnish with scallions.

KIMCHI FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Warm butter and olive oil together over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add in sesame oil. Add onion, carrots, and scallions and cook until onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Mix in cubed ham and kimchi; cook for 1 more minute. Season with garlic powder.
• Stir in rice and cook until mixture is heated throughout. Drizzle soy sauce over top and mix in gochujang. Stir until well combined and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

SMACKED CUCUMBER 'QUICK KIMCHI'

Steps:

• On a large cutting board, position your chef's knife on its side and press the heel of the blade to crush each cucumber piece until it cracks in the center, splits in half or splinters completely into pieces. (The variety in textures is a delight.) In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the salt, transfer to a colander, and let sit in the sink to drain, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in the same bowl, add the vinegar and garlic and set aside.
• After 30 minutes, add the sesame oil, gochugaru, fish sauce and sugar to the bowl with the vinegar and garlic, and whisk to combine. Use a paper or cloth kitchen towel to pat the cucumbers dry, then add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss until well coated.
• Garnish with the optional herbs before serving. This is best eaten right away, but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

KIMCHI FRIED RICE

Steps:

• In large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 2-4 minutes. Add kimchi, carrots, kimchi juice, garlic and ginger; cook 2 minutes longer. Add rice, green onions, soy sauce and sesame oil; heat through, stirring frequently. , In another large skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high heat. Break eggs, 1 at a time, into pan; reduce heat to low. Cook to desired doneness, turning after whites are set if desired. Serve over rice. If desired, sprinkle with with nori, green onions and sesame seeds.

KIMCHI JUN (KIMCHI PANCAKE) AND DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir together the kimchi, kimchi juice, flour, eggs, and green onion in a bowl.
• Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Using about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake, pour into skillet, spreading as thin as possible. Cook pancakes until set and lightly browned, turning once, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Season to taste with salt.
• Whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili pepper flakes, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with the pancakes.

CHEESY KIMCHI NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high. Add the noodles and cook according to the package instructions until tender but still springy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse in cold water until cool, then toss with a splash of canola oil to prevent the noodles from sticking together. Set cooked noodles aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the Sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil and Shaoxing wine; set aside.
• Set a medium nonstick skillet over high heat. Add ½ tablespoon canola oil and, once shimmering, crack in the eggs. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the whites are done and the edges are browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium-high. Add the scallions, kimchi, garlic and sesame seeds, and cook for 1 minute until just softened, stirring frequently. Add the noodles and sauce, and toss to combine for 1 minute. Stir in the grated cheese until it melts. Turn off the heat.
• Transfer the noodles to serving plates, top with the fried eggs and garnish with extra sesame seeds and scallions. Serve immediately.

TRADITIONAL NAPA CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• 1. Dissolve 1 cup salt in 1/2 gallon water. Soak cabbage in the salt water for 3 to 4 hours.
• 2. Combine garlic, ginger, and fish sauce or shrimp in food processor or blender until finely minced.
• 3. In large bowl, combine radish, green onions, mustard greens, garlic mixture, chili powder, 1 tablespoon salt and optional sugar. Toss gently but thoroughly. (If mixing with your hands, be sure to wear rubber gloves to avoid chili burn.)
• 4. Remove cabbage from water and rinse thoroughly. Drain cabbage in colander, squeezing as much water from the leaves as possible. Take cabbage and stuff radish mixture between leaves, working from outside in, starting with largest leaf to smallest. Do not overstuff, but make sure radish mixture adequately fills leaves. When entire cabbage is stuffed, take one of the larger leaves and wrap tightly around the rest of the cabbage. Divide cabbage among 4 (1-quart) jars or 1-gallon jar, pressing down firmly to remove any air bubbles.
• 5. Let sit for 2 to 3 days in a cool place before serving. Remove kimchi from jar and slice into 1-inch-length pieces. If serving before kimchi is fermented, sprinkle with a little bit of sesame oil and sesame seeds. Refrigerate after opening.

SPICY KOREAN KIMCHI

Steps:

• Separate and wash the cabbage leaves.
• Sprinkle them with the 2 tbsp of salt.
• Place them in a non corrosive dish (Pyrex) and pour in the 4 cups cold water, cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge over night.
• The water should cover the leaves if not place a heavy object on them to keep them submerged.
• After sitting overnight pour off the water and rinse the leaves well, shake out excess moisture. ( I used my lettuce dryer to remove the extra moisture).
• Mix the garlic, ginger, green onion,chili flakes,sugar & 1 tbsp salt, stir together.
• Pour 11/2 cups of very hot water over the mixed seasoning.
• Place cabbage leaves in a large zip lock bag or in a bowl, pour in the seasoning, mix well so the seasoning is on every leaf.
• Place in the fridge for two days. Flip the bag every time you open the fridge door.
• To serve cut the leaves into 2" strips and serve as a side condiment.
• To store pack the cabbage into a jar and store in the fridge it will keep for several days to a week or more.

KIMCHI AND SHRIMP FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, gochujang, honey, sesame oil, garlic and reserved kimchi liquid in a medium bowl until combined. Measure out 1/2 cup of the soy marinade and reserve it for the rice.
• Add the shrimp to the bowl with the remaining marinade and toss until completely coated. (If time allows, let sit uncovered at room temperature for 30 minutes to let the marinade penetrate.) Drain through a medium-mesh strainer, discard the marinade and return the shrimp to the bowl.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat until it shimmers and tiny wisps of smoke are visible. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until browned on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat and cook the onions until translucent and just tender, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup of the reserved marinade and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has almost evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the onion mixture to the bowl with the shrimp.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat and cook the kimchi, tossing often, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the kimchi is lightly browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Add the basil and toss to wilt. Transfer to the bowl with the shrimp.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat. Add the beaten eggs and cook, stirring vigorously, for 10 seconds (no, really, 10 seconds). Transfer to the bowl with the shrimp and break up the eggs into 1-inch pieces.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in the same skillet over high heat. Add the rice, patting it down into an even layer and breaking up any clumps, and let fry undisturbed for 1 minute. Vigorously toss, breaking up any clumps, until the grains have dried out, separated and start to crisp and lightly brown, about 3 minutes.
• Add the shrimp mixture to the rice and vigorously toss (or stir) until completely combined and the shrimp mixture is evenly distributed throughout the rice. Season with the remaining soy marinade if necessary, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and tossing well to combine, until seasoned as desired.
• Top the fried rice with the scallions before serving.

BUTTERY KIMCHI SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a food processor, pulse the kimchi until it resembles a paste. Season the shrimp with kosher salt.
• In a 12-inch skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, ginger and red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add half the shrimp to the pan in one layer and cook undisturbed until they just start turning pink about 1 minute. Flip and cook for about 1 minute more, then remove from the pan and set aside. They may not be fully cooked at this time, and that's O.K. Repeat with remaining shrimp and leave in the pan.
• Add the reserved shrimp back to the pan with any juices that have accumulated. Add the kimchi paste and stir together with the shrimp until everything is well coated and the shrimp is cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove from the heat, squeeze with lime and scatter cilantro on top. Make sure to spoon the residual pan sauce on top and season with flaky salt if desired.

CUCUMBER KIMCHI

Steps:

• Place the cucumbers in a medium-size bowl, then sprinkle with the salt. Let stand 20 minutes.
• Rinse cucumbers in cold water to remove salt, drain and pat dry.
• Return cucumbers to bowl, add other ingredients, toss to combine, cover tightly and place in refrigerator overnight or until ready to use.

CUCUMBER KIMCHI

Steps:

• Mix 8 cups water with 3/4 cup salt, stirring until the salt dissolves to make a brine.
• Cut about 1/4 inch from each end of the cucumbers. Cut the cucumbers in half in the middle, not lengthwise. Hold the cucumber facing the circular middle. Cut them in half lengthwise, leaving about 1/2 inch at the end uncut. Cut them in half lengthwise again, perpendicular to your first cut, leaving the end uncut. You should have 4 semi-equal parts of cucumber, cut but still attached. Make two incisions, about 1/2 inch deep, on the top of the cucumber piece, then cut two more perpendicular to create a 3-by-3 grid. Repeat on all ends. This will help the cucumber catch and absorb the flavors. Repeat with the remaining cucumbers.
• Soak the cucumbers in the saltwater for 30 minutes, no longer. Remove the cucumbers from the brine. Combine the onion, green onions, garlic chives, garlic, ground chile, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon optional sugar in a large bowl. I recommend wearing gloves for this.
• Set three 1-quart jars on your work surface. Using your fingers, separate the cucumber quarters and stuff the chile mix into the cucumbers. Divide them evenly among the jars, pressing the cucumbers down firmly into the jars, so that all of the cucumbers are standing up, filling towards towards the top.
• Stir 1 teaspoon of sugar into 1/3 cup water until the sugar is completely dissolved. Pour the sugar water over the cucumbers.
• Let it sit 1 day, at room temperature, before serving. Cucumber kimchi ferments very quickly. Refrigerate after opening and consume within 3 to 4 days.

KIMCHI UDON NOODLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook udon in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until noodles are tender yet firm to the bite, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.
• Mix honey, soy sauce, sriracha sauce, and rice vinegar in a bowl. Set sauce aside.
• Place bacon in a large pan and cook over high heat until fat is rendered but bacon is not yet crispy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add kimchi and garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add the sauce, udon noodles, and sesame oil; stir well. Remove from heat and transfer noodles to a plate. Top with scallions.