10 Delicious Ways to Eat Kimchi (includes Korean Recipes) (2024)

10 Delicious ways to eat Kimchi using my top 10 recipes using Kimchi. From stews and stir-fries to pancakes and dumplings, these recipes with Kimchi prove just how versatile kimchi is and how kimchi makes everything taste soo good!!

10 Delicious Ways to Eat Kimchi (includes Korean Recipes) (1)

Kimchi lovers, I’m sharing with you 10 ways to eat kimchi other than as a side dish. With these 10 easy recipes using kimchi, you can cook amazingly good food whether they are authentically Korean or Korean fusion.

How to use Kimchi for Cooking

It’s best to use fully fermented, ripe sour kimchi for cooking. When the kimchi is fully fermented, taste is smoother and better for cooking. A ripe kimchi is slightly sour but has a zing to it that you just cannot taste in any other dish, which is a great thing when added to your cooking.Plus, it’s a great way to eat kimchi that is sour. Trust me, it becomes delicious again with a little cooking!

When you feel Kimchi is too sour, add a bit of sugar to balance out the sourness when cooking with it. And if the Kimchi is really old (over couple months), you can also use the kimchi by rinsing everything in water first and then cooking with it.

Learn more about Kimchi

If you want to learn more about Kimchi besides these 10 ways to eat Kimchi, I have some great posts for you to check out:

  • How to Ripen Kimchi properly can be found in myNo Crazy Kimchi post.
  • Kimchi– what it is, its health benefits and more
  • 10 Kimchi recipes – a collection of different kimchi recipes using different vegetables

My top 10 ways to eat Kimchi:

#1. Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap)

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Keep this one-pan Kimchi Fried Rice recipe handy because it’s a convenient and easy way to eat kimchi. It calls for very simple ingredients and minimum cooking time to produce something satisfyingly substantial and delicious. I’ve been making this kimchi fried rice since my college days!

#2. Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

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Korean Army Stew is my 2nd most favorite way to eat Kimchi. This hearty kimchi stew created after the Korean war with an American contribution: SPAM! Or you can see it as adding kimchi to SPAM… because kimchi makes everything taste better, right? Yes, even cheese, which is why this stew is also served with American or medium cheddar cheese slice on top.

#3. Brussels Sprouts with Kimchi and Pancetta

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A tasty way to add some Korean flavor to your favorite vegetable dish is to cook it with some kimchi. Like this amazing brusselssprouts, kimchi, and pancetta combination I made for our Thanksgiving dinner one year. Goes to show how versatile kimchi can be as an ingredient.

#4. Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae)

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It is impossible to not love Kimchi Jjigae if you’re a fan of kimchi. This classic Korean stew is actually really easy to make. Thebest part is it uses old kimchi that may have become too sour toeat fresh but magically turns irresistible when stewed. This is Korean comfort food at its best!

#5. Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Jeon)

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This Kimchi Pancake is my No. 5 way to eat Kimchi. This takes only 20 minutes to make. Koreans love to pair it with Makgeolli as a snack, and it would work just as well as a beer snack. It’s a savory pancake with a uniquelydelectable flavor, and you will appreciate kimchi in a whole new different way.

#6. Bulgogi Kimchi Pasta

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This one-dish Korean fusion Bulgogi Kimchi Pasta is the yummy answer forsinglecooks and busy moms. The bulgogi can be made ahead and kept frozen until needed. Then all you have to do is saute with some kimchi, add cooked pasta, and toss them together with some Jalapeno peppers.

#7. Korean Dumpling with Kimchi (Mandu)

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Kimchi Mandu is a North Korean-style dumpling served during special holidays. It is filled with pork, beef, kimchi, tofu,and bean sprouts, and can be made vegan by substituting the meat with shiitake mushrooms. Make it a fun cooking project and invite your friends and even kids to make kimchi dumplings with you! You can make a big batch and keep it frozen until you need it.

#8. Cold Kimchi Rice (Kimchi Mari (김치말이)

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Here’s a lovely way to eat kimchi and jazz up white rice for kimchi lovers. All you need is 5 ingredients–cooked rice, cabbage kimchi, sesame oil, sugar, and sesame seeds–and 5 minutes to make this side dish to go with your meal. No cooking required except for making the rice. Simple and delicious!

#9. Spicy Soft Tofu Stew with Kimchi (Soondubu Jjigae with Kimchi)

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Spicy soft tofu stew is a Korean favorite that makes cold, wintry days better. Do you know what makes it better? Adding kimchi makes it explode with flavors! Serve this with some rice and you have a simple but comforting meal. Ready in 30 minutes or less. Amazing.

#10 BONUS Kimchi Recipe~

3-in-1 Kimchi Pork Freezer Recipe

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Consider this a bonus recipe because you can easily turn one simple kimchi and pork belly recipe into 3 classic Korean recipes – Kimchi Jjigae, Kimchi Tofu and Kimchi Fried Rice.Just make my base pork belly and kimchi recipe, freeze it for later and then easily turn it into any one or more of the 3 recipes!

Did you enjoy this kimchi series? You’ve learned about the basics of Kimchi, Kimchi’s health benefits andhow to make kimchi using different vegetables, and now you have 10+ recipes using kimchi to bring some Korean flavors into your cooking. Kimchi lovers unite!

XOXO ❤️
JinJoo

FOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,PINTEREST, andINSTAGRAMto stay connected to me. I periodically share recipes throughout the year. You can also join myFACEBOOK GROUPwhere we share everything about Korean food including cooking tips with other Korean food enthusiasts just like you!!

10 Delicious Ways to Eat Kimchi (includes Korean Recipes) (2024)

FAQs

What do Koreans eat kimchi with? ›

As the national dish of South Korea, kimchi is a staple in kitchens around the world. This fermented cabbage dish can be served as a side dish, over a bed of rice, folded into scrambled eggs, whirred into tomato sauce, or even just eaten as is.

How do you eat kimchi in the UK? ›

Kimchi is commonly sliced and added to soups and hotpots or chopped to be stirred through rice. A whole leaf can be used as a wrap for meat, fish or shellfish. Most often it is sliced and enjoyed as a piquant side dish.

Can I eat kimchi while pregnant? ›

Is It Safe for Baby? Kimchi is absolutely safe for a growing baby when consumed in moderation and void of potentially harmful bacteria. You can also look to the many, many parents who have consumed kimchi for thousands of years while pregnant, and who have produced healthy, happy babies.

Can you eat kimchi straight up? ›

Kimchi is a super versatile dish that can be eaten on its own - seriously, straight out of the jar - as a condiment, or worked into almost any recipe. It compliments many flavors in sometimes surprising ways and has enough flavor to stand out on its own.

Can kimchi go bad? ›

If you have store-bought kimchi that's been opened, it will be good for 3-4 days at room temperature and up to 6 months when refrigerated. Signs of your kimchi going bad include mold growth, an alcoholic smell, and an extremely sour taste.

Is kimchi OK for dogs? ›

Your dog can eat kimchi if you make it at home without toxic ingredients like spring onions, garlic, salt, and certain spices. Excessive salt and spices can trigger specific digestive symptoms in your furry friend. Dogs can also find it hard to digest some vegetables, so avoid them when you can.

Is kimchi very spicy? ›

Is Kimchi Spicy? The bright red color of kimchi's signature seasoning, gochugaru, leaves many asking, "Is kimchi spicy?" The spice level of the kimchi depends on how much gochugaru went into the mix, with different versions available ranging from mild to very spicy.

Why is Korea obsessed with kimchi? ›

Kimchi has become a unifying emotional link among Koreans because many ate it during their childhood. This explains why there are still many people who head to their hometowns to make their own kimchi before the winter, even though it is easy to buy cheap kimchi at local markets and on the internet.

How do you eat kimchi for beginners? ›

it can be eaten straight from the jar, or with steamed rice, or most traditionally as a side dish to a traditional Korean meal. my favorite, though, is in kimchi stew (jjigae), especially with tofu! or when i am eating pork i adore dwaeji bulgogi, sort of a kimchi pork stir fry.

Is kimchi better hot or cold? ›

You can eat kimchi straight out of the fridge, or you can throw it in a small skillet and heat it up with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of vegetable oil. It tastes great both ways! Some people prefer the cold, spicy taste, while others find the tangy texture best when heated up.

How to snack on kimchi? ›

Kimchi can be eaten basically however you want. You can eat it cold straight from the container. You can use it as an ingredient in soups, noodles, Korean pancakes, and fried rice. You can even chop it up small, sautee it in butter and add it to things like hotdogs, quesadillas, or grilled cheese.

How long does kimchi last in the fridge? ›

Kept at room temperature, kimchi lasts 1 week after opening. In the refrigerator, it stays fresh much longer — about 3–6 months — and continues to ferment, which may lead to a sourer taste. Be sure to refrigerate your kimchi at or below 39°F (4°C), as warmer temperatures may accelerate spoilage.

Is too much kimchi bad for your stomach? ›

Generally, kimchi is safe for most people unless you have a specific allergy to any of the ingredients. It may also cause some unpleasant side effects such as gas and bloating if you're not used to fermented or high-fibre food.

Can you eat Chinese while pregnant? ›

The bottom line. During pregnancy, eating right-sized portions of foods with MSG isn't likely to land you with a slew of unpleasant symptoms — and it won't harm your growing baby, either. You can feel free to enjoy umami-flavored veggies, nuts, broths (and, yes, even the occasional Chinese takeout) without concern.

What tastes best with kimchi? ›

The best side dishes to eat with kimchi are steamed white rice, steamed dumplings, fried shrimp, potstickers, beef and broccoli, egg roll in a bowl grilled meat, Korean pancakes, crispy tofu, japchae, Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, and pickled vegetables.

Does kimchi go with anything? ›

I love to keep it in my kitchen to top bowls of grains and noodles, stir into soups and stews, and toss with stir fries. But its big, bold flavor can go into just about anything. If you're looking for ways to put kimchi to good use, these recipes from our database are a good place to get started.

How do you make kimchi taste better? ›

You can add different flavors to it. You don't have to add it to something else to make it better that's for sure. You can add some sesame oil, vinegar, spicier peppers, or garlic. Heck you can even add peppers in it if you want.

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