Say, kimchi!
For most, kimchi is just a side dish to a meal. But for Koreans, it’s not only their national dish but also considered soul food. Most Korean children grew up learning how to make kimchi at home – hands covered in gloves, elbow-deep in a large tub of red-speckled cabbage like how we would often see ajummas (what Koreans call middle-aged women or aunties) in Kdramas. This is why you would never encounter a Korean table without a serving of kimchi on the side or even as the main star of the meal!
There’s the famous kimchi fried rice, Kimchi Jjiggae (kimchi stew), and kimchi mandu, which might be the most popular Korean dumpling! And if you spend hours scrolling through TikTok recipes, you’ve probably seen Kimchi used in non-traditional recipes such as creamy kimchi udon and even a kimchi linguini pasta recipe (what!).
What is kimchi?
If you’re one of the (very rare) people who does not know what kimchi is, it is essentially fermented cabbage through brining or salting with spices such as Korean red pepper flakes or Gochugaru, garlic, and ginger, to name a few from the list of other ingredients that can be used to make kimchi. This fermentation process gives kimchi its distinct taste that often has a kick of spiciness and saltiness to it.
Perhaps the reason why some Koreans consider kimchi as soul food is that it is often a result of a labor of love. While it is straightforward to make, and learning how to make kimchi is just as easy, one must be patient from washing the cabbage off of its impurities thoroughly to smothering the vegetable with marinade, up until packing it and letting it ferment until it bubbles to perfection.
Make your own authentic kimchi in Korea!
While you can practically make kimchi anywhere in the world, you shouldn’t pass up the chance to learn how to make kimchi right in its motherland, especially if you’re planning a trip to South Korea! Not only is it one of the best cultural experiences you can have, but you also get to learn from the masters of kimchi themselves! Here’s a list of how to make kimchi classes in Korea that you might want to check out in case you’re traveling to either Seoul, Busan, or the charming city of Daegu in the province of Gyeongsang.
How to make Kimchi in Seoul
Seoul is one of the most popular cities in the world, and for good reason: amazing shopping, excellent dining scene, and a perfect blend of history and modernity. If it’s your first time visiting South Korea, then it is most likely that you will be staying for the majority of your trip in the capital city. If you’ve got time to spare between shopping, sightseeing, and food-tripping, we highly recommend booking a class and learning how to make kimchi for an even more exciting visit to Seoul.
Make kimchi at Gyeongbokgung Palace
If you’d like to attend a special kimchi-making class on your visit to Seoul, then look no further because here’s how you can learn how to make kimchi from Chef Hakyung, who specialises in Korean cuisine with over 7 years of experience in the industry! Not only will your class be taken in one of the must-visit places in Seoul - the Gyeongbokgung Palace - but you will also get access to an exclusive kimchi-making class where Chef Hakyung will teach you the secrets behind the perfect kimchi.
You are welcomed with a demonstration from Chef Hakyung revealing what makes kimchi taste good, some refreshments, and the classic Korean snack tteok-bokki. Afterwards, you get to do all the action, make some kimchi, and take home a jar of your very own creation!
Where in Seoul: Jongno District
Kimchi-Making and Cultural Experience in Seoul
For a more experiential kimchi-making class, here is a chance to learn how to make kimchi in a Hanok or a traditional Korean house! This activity is particularly perfect for those who would also like to learn about Korean culture, as the instructors also share interesting and historical facts while guiding you every step of the way in making kimchi.
To get you in the mood, the class starts with a refreshing Korean tea during introductions and ends with a bang, where you get to enjoy some traditional kimchi pancakes! This will also be the time to have some of the kimchi you just created or take it home to savor for later. Win-win!
Where in Seoul: Jongno District
How to make Kimchi in Busan
Hop on this vibrant Beach Train and enjoy the prettiest views! Credits: Klook
While Busan first made headlines on the global stage from the zombie movie ‘Train to Busan’, it should also be just as famous for its beautiful seaside towns and buzzing street food scene! So, if you’re catching a train to Busan not to run away from flesh-eating zombies but to visit what the town has to offer, then you absolutely have to include learning how to make kimchi in your Busan itinerary because here is a chance to attend a real kimchi master class!
The Real Kimchi Master Class
Learn the art of making kimchi in this master class, where professional Korean chefs teach you the secrets of what makes kimchi good, then finish your workshop with a Korean tea ceremony! All classes are conducted privately, so you’re sure to have a hands-on learning experience where a local chef can teach and show you the best way to make kimchi.
After the class, you may also opt to consult with the team as to which restaurants around Busan are must-tries based on your taste and preference – talk about an A+ plus travel and dining experience! And as if that was not enough for an amazing experience, you also get to take home a certificate of learning. Frame it up back at home as a souvenir and boast around your friends and family that you have new learning skills they can - quite literally - taste!
Where in Busan: Seo District
How to make Kimchi in Gyeongsang
You might not have heard of the province Gyeongsang but it is definitely one of South Korea’s hidden gems that is worth exploring, and more so if you love apples! A little fun fact is that Daegu, Gyeongsang’s capital city, subtropical climate allows for the production of high-quality apples, earning its nickname “Apple City.” But apples are not the only thing worth visiting Daegu for. The city also boasts a rich cultural history and natural landscapes, making it a perfect side trip just 2 hours away from Seoul.
Daegu’s traditional kimchi-making class
If you’re headed to Daegu, then you should not pass up the chance to join a traditional kimchi-making class. Because nothing gets more traditional than picking your own vegetable and turning it into kimchi! At this workshop, you get to harvest fresh vegetables and start your kimchi learning experience from absolute scratch. Afterward, you can taste the fruit of your labor and dig in your homemade kimchi. Quite a culinary adventure, we must say!
Where in Daegu: Dalseong-gun
A soulful adventure in Seoul and beyond
Now that your kimchi business is sorted out, best to make sure the rest of your South Korean adventure is all covered too! While learning how to make kimchi in Korea is already an extraordinary experience, there are still hundreds of other amazing things you can only experience in South Korea such as staying the night at a Korean sauna, eating ‘Chicken and Beer’ like a local, and exploring traditional Korean houses. So be sure to check out our travel essential guides in South Korea and the best ways to get around this amazing city and beyond!
Extra delicious ways to eat Kimchi
Once you’ve mastered the art of how to make kimchi, you can try some of these recipes we’ve experimented with way back in 2020 during lockdown!
So if you’ve got some extra kimchi leftover just sitting in your fridge, here are 10 recipes that’ll make you love kimchi even more! Pair it with your favorite soju cocktail and it's a feast!
1. Kimchi Fried Rice
Ingredients:
- Kimchi
- Vegetable oil
- Hot pepper paste or gochujang
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Cooked white rice
- Seaweed paper
Instructions:
- Slice about a cup of kimchi into bite-sized pieces
- Heat the oil in a pan and fry the kimchi for about a minute
- Add 3 cups of cooked rice into the pan and mix
- Pour in ½ cup of kimchi juice or just until your rice mix isn’t very dry
- Pour in ¼ cup of water and continue to mix
- Add 2 tablespoons of hot pepper paste and mix
- Add a splash or 2 teaspoons of sesame oil
- Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and seaweed paper.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
2. Kimchi Spring Rolls
Ingredients:
- Chopped Kimchi
- Chopped Garlic
- Sugar
- Soy Sauce
- Hot pepper paste or Gochujang
- Orinji and Shimeji Mushrooms
- Glass noodles
- Spring rolls wrapper
- Vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in the pan and saute garlic, mushrooms, and kimchi
- Drop the glass noodles, add a splash for water, and set aside
- Roll about 2 tablespoons of the fried mixture into spring rolls wrappers
- Deep fry until golden brown
- Enjoy!
3. Kimchi Tofu Stew
Ingredients:
- 2 long strips of pork belly, cut into small pieces
- ½ cup of chopped kimchi
- 2 tablespoons of kimchi juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of hot pepper paste or gochujang
- 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 2 ounces of sliced tofu
- 2 cups of water
- 2 teaspoons of sesame oil
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
- 1 egg, optional
Instructions:
- Heat a Korean stoneware or pot and saute the garlic in a teaspoon of sesame oil
- Add the pork belly and mix
- Once cookes, add the chopped kimchi, gochujang, red pepper flakes, and water. Mix and let it come to a simmer boil for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the kimchi juice and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the sliced tofu and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.
- Let it simmer for another 5 minutes before serving.
- Add the sliced green onions and drop an egg, if desired.
- Enjoy!
4. Kimchi Ramen
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups of chopped kimchi
- 1 ½ tablespoons of hot pepper paste or gochujang
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon instant ramen seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon sugar
- 1 instant ramen noodle block
- 1 egg
- Scallions for garnishing
Instructions:
- Heat the kimchi in a Korean stoneware or pot
- Add the gochujang, soy sauce, garlic, instant ramen seasoning, sugar, and 2 cups of water
- Mix until the gochujang and instant ramen seasoning is completely dissolved
- Add pepper to taste and let it boil
- Drop the instant ramen noodles and boil until cooked
- Top with chopped scallions and enjoy!
5. Kimchi Cheeseburger
Recipe from hmart.com
Ingredients:
- 260g ground beef (80/20 fat to lean)
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- ⅔ cups chopped kimchi
- ½ avocado, sliced
- 2 slices of american or cheddar cheese
- Burger buns
Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons of hot pepper paste or gochujang
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Meat seasoning:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
Instructions:
- Portion your ground beef in the shape of two meatballs and lay them out on a cooking sheet. Using the palm of your clean hands, quickly squish them into even patties.
- Season your patties liberally with ground pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
- Place a cast iron pan over low heat and add butter. Heat it just enough that it sizzles when you put the patties into the pan. Otherwise, take them out and let it heat up a bit more. Once in the pan, do not touch the patties. Let it cook until the edges start to brown then flip.
- Place the slices of cheese on the patties once they are flipped and lower down the flame.
- Continue searing the meat.
- While the patties cook, take out a non-stick pan and drop your kimchi. Saute for a few minutes until it becomes soft and a little translucent
- Then create your spicy mayo by mixing the mayonnaise, gochujang, and garlic powder.
- Go back to your patties and take them off the heat once they start to “bleed out”. Let them rest for a few minutes before constructing your burger.
- Enjoy!
6. Kimchi Quesadilla
Ingredients:
- Chopped kimchi
- Butter
- 8-inch flour tortillas
- Shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese
- Sesame seeds
- Vegetable oil
- Chopped green onion, for garnish
Instructions:
- Add butter in a pan over medium heat and saute the kimchi until the edges start to brown. Set aside
- Arrange the tortillas and add 4 tablespoons of sauteed kimchi, a handful of shredded cheese, and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds then fold.
- Put another pan over medium heat and add a splash of oil. Fry your folded tortillas until each side is golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy!
7. Grilled Cheese Kimchi Sandwich
Ingredients
- Sourdough bread, sliced
- Kimchi
- Sugar
- Butter
- Cheddar cheese
- Gruyere Cheese
- Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
Instructions:
- Measure about ¼ cup of kimchi and squeeze out the juice
- Chop the kimchi into bite-sized pieces, add sugar, and mix
- Grab 2 slices of sourdough bread and butter one side. Place the bread slices into the griddle, buttered side down.
- Pile the cheese slices on both slices of bread
- Add the chopped kimchi onto one slice of bread then fold in the other slice of bread, making a sandwich
- Spread a little bit more butter onto the bread and let the cheese melt for a little bit before turning
- Spread butter onto the other side of the bread once turned.
- Continue to cook on the griddle until the cheese is completely melted.
- Enjoy!
8. Kimchi Fried Noodles
Ingredients:
- 4 to 6 ounces of sliced pork belly or bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon of mirin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 ½ cups of kimchi, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- ½ medium sized onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
- 2 portions of cooked yakisoba noodles
Instructions:
- Heat the pan over low heat and saute the garlic and green onions in butter.
- Add the pork belly or bacon and fry until cooked.
- Drop the kimchi and sliced onions and mix.
- Add the oyster sauce, red pepper flakes, mirin and continue to cook until the onions become translucent.
- Add the cooked yakisoba noodles and continue to stir-fry until fully cooked.
- Serve and enjoy!
9. Kimchi Omelette
Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup kimchi
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tbsp water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions
Instructions:
- Beat eggs together with sesame oil, salt and pepper, and chopped green onions. Set aside.
- Put a pan over low heat and add a drizzle of vegetable oil.
- Saute the kimchi, sugar, and sesame oil until the cabbage becomes soft.
- Oil a separate pan and put over low heat.
- Pour a thin layer of the egg mixture into the pan.
- Arrange a line of the cooked kimchi into the center of the egg. Fold the egg over the kimchi and continue to roll.
- Pour another thin layer of the egg mixture into the same pan and roll. Repeat this until the egg mixture is completely used up.
- Take the omelette off the heat and cut into slices before serving.
- Enjoy!
10. Kimchi Pancakes
Ingredients:
- ½ pound of kimchi, chopped into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons of kimchi juice
- 3 scallions, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup water
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Combine the kimchi, kimchi juice, scallions, sugar, flour, and water in a medium bowl and mix well with a spoon.
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan
- Pour the batter into the pan and spread it with the back of a spoon or spatula
- Cook until the bottom is golden brown and crisp. About 3 to 5 minutes.
- Turn the pancake over. Drizzle the remaining oil around the edges of the skillet and lift the pancake to allow the oil to run underneath. Tilt the pan to spread the oil evenly.
- Cook until the pancakes are light golden brown and crisp on both sides.
- Serve immediately.
What is Klook?
Klook is a world-leading travel activities and services booking platform, covering over 400 destinations and over 100,000 travel services! Klook’s mission is to empower travelers around the world to discover, book, and experience the best things to do anywhere, anytime - including attractions, activities, car rental, tours, local transfers, wifi, and SIM cards.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
