Best Korean Kimchi Recipes

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.

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.

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 JJIGAE (KOREAN KIMCHI SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut up vegetables, kimchi and tofu and set aside.
• Rinse meat, cut into thin strips 1-2" long.
• Marinate meat in rice wine with two pinches black pepper for 15 minutes (you can use your stew pot for this).
• Meanwhile, add vegetable oil to pan or wok and cook kimchi on medium-high until done (usually 5-7 minutes). Stir consistently. Kimchi will turn slightly translucent.
• In a separate bowl, combine soup base ingredients and mash together.
• Add vegetables, kimchi, soup base and water to the pot with the meat, leaving out the tofu. Use kimchi juice as part of the water if extracted.
• Bring to a boil; leave on a rolling boil until meat is cooked or about 5 minutes, being careful not to let water boil away.
• Taste soup for adjustments; add water as needed, or make extra soup base if needed.
• As soon as the meat is done, turn the heat down to low, add the tofu slices.
• Stir gently, serve with rice (your mouth will be hot -- I like to use rice that is room-temp!).

INSTANT-POT KOREAN CHILE-BRAISED BRISKET AND KIMCHI COLESLAW

Steps:

• To pressure cook it:
• Rub the beef with the chile flakes, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
• Set the electric pressure cooker to sauté (or use a large skillet). Add a tablespoon of the oil, let it heat up for a few seconds, and then add a batch of the beef and sear until it's browned all over, about 2 minutes per side, adding more oil as needed. Transfer the beef to a plate and repeat with the remaining batches.
• If the pot looks dry, add a bit more oil. Add the onion and sauté until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for 1 minute longer. Add the beer, gochujang, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, fish sauce, and sesame oil. Scrape the mixture into the pressure cooker if you have used a skillet.
• Cover and cook on high pressure for 90 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes, and then release the remaining pressure manually.
• To make the kimchi coleslaw, combine the cabbage, kimchi, both oils, lime juice, and salt in a large bowl and toss well. Taste, and add more salt or lime juice if needed.
• Transfer the beef to a plate or a rimmed cutting board and tent with foil to keep warm. Set the pressure cooker to sauté and simmer the sauce for 15 to 20 minutes, until it is reduced by half or two-thirds (remember that it thickens as it cools). Use a fat separator to skim off the fat, or let the sauce settle and spoon the fat off the top. Serve the sauce alongside the beef, with the kimchi coleslaw.
• Slow Cooker Variation:
• Cut the beef into 6 to 8 pieces instead of 3 or 4 pieces. Marinate and brown as in steps 1 and 2. Place the meat in the pot and cover with the sautéed onion mixture from step 3. Cook on high for 7 to 9 hours or low for 10 to 12 hours.

V'S SLOW-BRAISED KOREAN SHORT RIBS WITH CARAMELIZED KIMCHI RICE AND KOREAN CABBAGE SLAW

Steps:

• For the ribs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup canola oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce and chili-garlic paste to make a vinaigrette. Measure out 1/3 cup of the mixture and set aside, reserving for later. Add Bulgogi Marinade, sesame oil, and salt to the bowl; whisk to combine. Place ribs in a 9-by-13-inch pan, in two even layers. Pour sauce over ribs, shuffling the ribs around to ensure the sauce coats every side of every rib. Cover the pan securely with foil. Bake the ribs until the meat is tender and almost falling off the bone, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. To check ribs for doneness, lift corner of the foil and plastic wrap and use a fork to try to pick up a rib. If the meat is not yet done, replace plastic wrap and foil and place ribs back in oven for an additional 15 minutes. Remove ribs from oven.
• For the sides: Chop the kimchi into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat; add the remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil. Add the butter and kimchi to the pan. Stir until the kimchi is caramelized and turns golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir well to combine. Cook until the rice fully absorbs the liquid from the kimchi and the flavors are incorporated, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add salt to taste. Remove from heat. Place the green and red cabbage in a medium bowl. Pour the reserved 1/3 cup vinaigrette over the cabbage and toss to coat.
• Divide the kimchi rice equally among four plates, placing it in a pile on one side of each plate. Do the same with the cabbage slaw, placing it next to the kimchi rice on each plate. Using a large spatula, gently remove ribs from the pan and place 3 ribs on top of the rice and slaw. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
• Place soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, green onions, onion, pear, apple, and mirin in a blender and blend until pulpy but not liquified. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
• Use a knife to slit the bottom of each cabbage an inch into the base. Set knife aside. With your hands, rip each cabbage in half lengthwise. Submerge the cabbage halves in water for 15 minutes. While cabbage soaks, put the 2 cups water and flour into a pan on the stove on high heat; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When water reaches a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer until the liquid coats the spoon, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar. Set aside to cool.
• Remove cabbage from water, and shake off any excess water; place cabbage in a large bowl. Sprinkle and massage salt into each individual cabbage leaf. Let sit for 1 hour, turning cabbage every 15 minutes. Pour the cooled flour mixture into a blender. Add the oyster sauce, garlic cloves and ginger; blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and stir in the gochujaro, daikon radish, and green onions. Rinse the cabbage in the sink to remove salt, and squeeze or shake out any excess water. Rinse bowl and return cabbage to the bowl. Using gloves (repeat: using gloves), massage paste in between each cabbage leaf. After working paste into each half of cabbage, place cabbage into a prepared kimchi vessel and press it down to the bottom as far as it will go. When all the cabbage is in the vessel, add any remaining paste to top of the cabbage. Make sure there is a weight to keep the cabbage below the level of the liquid. Replace lid or close bag, whichever is needed for the type of vessel being used; be sure there is ability for air to escape. Place a baking sheet underneath kimchi vessel before storing it to catch any liquid that may overflow during the fermentation process. Store kimchi container in a dark, out-of-the-way place at room temperature for 24 hours. Check after 12 hours to make sure cabbage is submerged in the liquid; if not, press cabbage down into the liquid.
• After 24 hours, place kimchi container in the refrigerator. Let kimchi sit for a minimum of 7 days before eating, checking and pressing down every 3 days. The longer the kimchi is allowed to sit and ferment, the stronger the flavor; the sweet spot is around 20 days.
• Note: There are a variety of vessels you can use to make kimchi. You can use a traditional earthenware jar, food-safe bucket, or even a large bowl or food storage container. Make sure your vessel is large enough to have room at the top for the fermentation process to happen. I suggest a clean black garbage bag as a liner to any container you use so it creates a dark environment, and it's easy to check because you can unwrap and retie it easily. For your weight, use anything heavy that fits inside the top of the container; I use a brick wrapped in foil.

CHINESE-KOREAN CUCUMBER KIMCHI

Steps:

• Mix the cucumbers and sea salt together in a bowl, let stand for 30 minutes to let the cucumbers soften. Drain, and rinse with fresh water.
• While the cucumbers are standing in salt, whisk together the sugar, vinegar, and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and stir in the chili bean sauce and hot chili oil.
• Mix the cucumbers with sliced chiles, onion, and garlic in a heatproof airtight container, and pour the hot vinegar mixture over the vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to blend the flavors. Serve chilled.

BAEK KIMCHI (KOREAN WHITE NON-SPICY KIMCHI)

Steps:

• Dissolve 1/2 cup coarse salt in a large bowl of water. Submerge cabbage in the salted water and let soak, 12 to 24 hours. Drain. Rinse well and drain, squeezing out excess water.
• Soak jujube in a small bowl of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain, pit, and cut into thin slices.
• Combine 1/2 cup water, salted shrimp, scallions, garlic, and ginger in a food processor; puree until smooth.
• Pour puree into a large bowl; add jujube, radish, chestnuts, pear, carrots, red chile pepper, green chile pepper, brown sugar, and 2 teaspoon salt. Stir in remaining 5 cups water. Mix in cabbage until well coated.
• Pack cabbage mixture into an airtight jar. Pour in any liquid left in the bowl.
• Seal and let sit at room temperature until starting to ferment, 1 to 2 days. Transfer to the refrigerator.

OI SOBAGI (KOREAN CUCUMBER KIMCHI)

Steps:

• Place cucumbers onto one end, slice in half down the length to create and x-shape, leaving the last 1/4-inch uncut; place into a bowl. Combine 8 cups water and sea salt in a saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Pour brine mixture onto the cucumbers; brine until flavors combine, about 1 hour.
• Combine red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup water, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and fermented shrimp in a bowl; mix until sauce is thoroughly combined.
• Rinse cucumbers in cold water; place in a colander to drain. Sit until semi-dry, about 10 minutes.
• Lather cucumbers with sauce, inside and out, making sure to stuff the x-shaped cut as well. Place cucumbers, chives, radish, and sesame seeds in an air-tight container. Let sit at room temperature until flavors combine, 1 to 2 days; refrigerate until ready to serve.

VEGAN KOREAN KIMCHI FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add red onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, about 3 minutes. Increase heat to high and add chopped kimchi and vinegar. Stir in cooked rice, soy sauce, sugar, soy sauce, kimchi brine, and sesame oil. Cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes; scrape the bottom of the skillet to prevent sticking. Season with salt and pepper.

KKAKDUGI (KOREAN RADISH KIMCHI)

Steps:

• Place cubed daikon in a bowl. Add kosher salt and toss to coat. Pour water carefully down the side of the bowl just to the level of the radishes; take care not to rinse all of the salt off. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a cool place for 12 to 24 hours.
• Drain the radishes and rinse thoroughly. Add Korean red pepper paste, ginger, Korean red pepper powder, fish sauce, sugar, and garlic. Mix thoroughly. Cover the container with plastic wrap or a lid and put it in a cold place. Allow to ferment for 4 to 6 weeks.

KOREAN KIMCHI (SPICY FERMENTED CABBAGE)

Steps:

• 1. Remove discolored, bruised outer leaves of cabbage and rinse well under cold water. Cut cabbage head into desired pieces; smaller 2-inch pieces is recommended for easier access later. In 3 separate large bowls, prepare one cup sea salt and water mixture for each bowl. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of sea salt onto the leaves of the cabbages before soaking them in the salt water. Cabbages should be partially submerged in the salt water. Let sit for a minimum 6 hours but 12 hours is preferred. 2. Once finished soaking, rinse the cabbage leaves thoroughly under cold water several times. Remove water from the cabbage by giving them a squeeze (they should have a rubbery texture by now) to remove excess water. Set in a colander or basket for at least 2 hours so the water will drain out thoroughly. Meanwhile, prepare the red pepper mixture to be mixed with cabbage leaves. 3. Prepare 3 tbsp of the sweet rice flour with 3 cups of water into a small pot. Bring to a boil and whisk until the mixture turns into a glue-like consistency. Let cool and set aside. 4. In a food processor, puree onion, garlic, ginger and some water until smooth. Pour gochugaru (chili flakes) in a large mixing bowl, add the garlic mixture puree, cooled rice glue, fish sauce, salted shrimp, sugar, and sesame seeds. Mix well and add the sliced radish and green onions. 5. Lather each cabbage piece with red pepper mixture by rubbing them well (rubber gloves highly recommended). Continue until all the cabbage leaves are covered in the red pepper mixture. Pack them inside air-tight glass jars/containers. Set out at room temperature for 2 days for fermentation to take place. After that, place in the refrigerator and serve as needed. The kimchi may keep for 2 or 3 months in the refrigerator.

SCARE-REAN SKULL (KOREAN BEEF BULGOGI AND CUCUMBER KIMCHI)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame seeds, garlic and ginger. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
• In a bowl, stir together the vinegar, granulated sugar, salt and gochugaru. Add the cucumber and stir to coat. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Remove the meat from the marinade and transfer the marinade to a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook until reduced by half.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the beef and cook, stirring, until just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the beef to the reduced marinade and stir to coat.
• Shape the rice into a skull shape and place on a large platter. Use the cucumber slices to create eyes, a nose and mouth on the skull. Place the beef at the base of the skull to serve.

KOREAN BAEK KIMCHI (WHITE NON-SPICY KIMCHI)

Steps:

• Rinse cabbage under running water, removing any bruised leaves or rotten sections. Cut cabbage into quarters or small bite-size pieces to save time later. Prepare enough water to cover cabbage and dissolve with 1/2 cup of coarse salt in a large bowl. Add the cabbage chunks into the the salt water until at least partically submerged. Leave it in the salt water for minimum 12 hours (24 hours preferrably). Meanwhile, prepare the sauce mixture by peeling and washing the radish. Cut into thin discs (mandolin works well) and then cut into matchstick pieces. Do the same with peppers and pear. If using dates, wash them and soak for 10-15 minutes. Remove the seeds and cut into thin slices. Puree the onion, garlic, ginger, salted shrimp, and 1/2 cup of water in a food processor until smooth. Combine with all the sauce ingredients plus adding 5 more cups of water into a large container. Remove the salted cabbage and rinse well. Drain and squeeze excess water out. Mix cabbage leaves with the sauce mixture. When all leaves have been lathered, place your new kimchi into an air-tight jar container. If you have quartered cabbage sections, place the stuffing mixture in between the leaves starting with the bottom leaf and work your way up. Repeat until you have used up all the filling. Pour remaining broth into the glass container. Let sit at room temperature for a few days and then refrigerate. Enjoy with rice and other meals.

SPICY KOREAN STEAK TACOS WITH KIMCHI

Steps:

• Rub the steaks with the oil. Spread half the rock salt over a tray, top with the steaks and cover with the remaining salt. Set aside for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile make the spicy ginger sauce: Place the oyster sauce, cooking wine, ginger, chile flakes and sugar in a small bowl and mix until the sugar has dissolved.
• Wipe all the salt from the steaks, using paper towel, and sprinkle with pepper.
• Preheat a grill pan or barbecue over high heat.
• Cook the steaks, turning every 1 minute, for 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked to your liking. In the last 30 seconds of cooking time, brush the steaks with the spicy ginger sauce and turn to caramelize both sides.
• Cover gently with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steaks. Spread the tortillas with the mayonnaise. Top with the daikon, steak, kimchi and cilantro to serve.

KOREAN CABBAGE KIMCHI

Steps:

• Dissolve the 3 tablespoons salt in the water.
• Cut the cabbage into cut into 2-inch squares.
• Put the cabbage into a large bowl, a crock, or a nonreactive pot, and pour the brine over it.
• Weight the cabbage down with a plate.
• Let the cabbage stand for 12 hours.
• Drain the cabbage, reserving the brine.
• Mix the cabbage with the remaining ingredients, including the 1 teaspoon salt.
• Pack the mixture into a 2-quart jar.
• Pour enough of the reserved brine over the cabbage to cover it.
• Push a freezer bag into the mouth of the jar, and pour the remaining brine into the bag. Seal the bag.
• Let the kimchi ferment in a cool place, at a temperature no higher than 68° F, for 3 to 6 days, until the kimchi is as sour as you like.
• Remove the brine bag, and cap the jar tightly.
• Store the kimchi in the refrigerator, where it will keep for months.

KOREAN-INSPIRED GRILLED WINGS WITH CUCUMBER-KIMCHI SALAD

Steps:

• Blend pear juice, soy sauce, gochugaru, sesame oil, ginger, brown sugar, and garlic in a blender until smooth.
• Season wings on all sides with 1 tsp. salt, then transfer to a large resealable bag. Pour two-thirds of marinade over chicken in bag, seal, and toss to coat. Transfer remaining marinade to a small bowl and chill. Let chicken sit at room temperature at least 20 minutes or chill overnight.
• Prepare a grill for medium heat or heat a grill pan over medium. Working in batches if needed, grill wings, turning occasionally, until skin is crisp and lightly charred, 15-20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, let reserved marinade come to room temperature. Toss cucumbers, kimchi, vinegar, all but a small handful of scallions (save those for topping), and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Let sit 10-20 minutes. Top with sesame seeds.
• Transfer wings to a medium bowl. Add reserved marinade and toss to combine. Serve wings with cucumber-kimchi salad and rice alongside. Top with reserved scallions.

KOREAN KIMCHI (FERMENTED SPICY CABBAGE)

Steps:

• 1. Remove discolored, bruised outer leaves of cabbage and rinse well under cold water. Cut cabbage head into desired pieces; smaller 2-inch pieces is recommended for easier access later. In 3 separate large bowls, prepare one cup sea salt and water mixture for each bowl. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of sea salt onto the leaves of the cabbages before soaking them in the salt water. Cabbages should be partially submerged in the salt water. Let sit for a minimum 6 hours but 12 hours is preferred. 2. Once finished soaking, rinse the cabbage leaves thoroughly under cold water several times. Remove water from the cabbage by giving them a squeeze (they should have a rubbery texture by now) to remove excess water. Set in a colander or basket for at least 2 hours so the water will drain out thoroughly. Meanwhile, prepare the red pepper mixture to be mixed with cabbage leaves. 3. Prepare 3 tbsp of the sweet rice flour with 3 cups of water into a small pot. Bring to a boil and whisk until the mixture turns into a glue-like consistency. Let cool and set aside. 4. In a food processor, puree onion, garlic, ginger and some water until smooth. Pour gochugaru (chili flakes) in a large mixing bowl, add the garlic mixture puree, cooled rice glue, fish sauce, salted shrimp, sugar, and sesame seeds. Mix well and add the sliced radish and green onions. 5. Lather each cabbage piece with red pepper mixture by rubbing them well (rubber gloves highly recommended). Continue until all the cabbage leaves are covered in the red pepper mixture. Pack them inside air-tight glass jars/containers. Set out at room temperature for 2 days for fermentation to take place. After that, place in the refrigerator and serve as needed. The kimchi may keep for 2 or 3 months in the refrigerator.

KOREAN KIMCHI JEON (KIMCHI PANCAKES)

Steps:

• Combine buchimgaru, kimchi, kimchi juice, water, onion, egg, half of the red pepper, and half of the green pepper together in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until batter is pancake-like in consistency, adding more buchimgaru or water if needed.
• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Ladle batter to make 1 large pancake or several smaller ones; cook until slightly golden brown, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining red pepper and green pepper on top; flip and cook until set, 1 to 2 minutes more.

KOREAN SAUERKRAUT - KIMCHI

Steps:

• Place vegetables, ginger, red chile flakes, sea salt and whey in a bowl and press with your hands or a wooden pounder or a meat hammer to release juices.
• Place in a quart sized, wide mouth mason jars and press down firmly with a pounder or meat hammer until juices come to the top of the cabbage.
• The top of the vegetables should be at least 1 inch below the top of the jar.
• Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for about 3 days before transferring to cold storage. Ready to eat in about a week or two.