Kimchi

Learn to make traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi at home with this easy recipe. One of our favorite Kimchi, I always keep a jar of this in my refrigerator. Kimchi makes a great condiment loaded with delicious aroma. Plus it is also packed with probiotics. I personally love the fact that homemade kimchi is preservatives free, made ingredients easily available in most grocery stores. 

Once fermented, kimchi develops delicious tangy-pungent flavor. Top it over a bowl of rice with some protein and it is healthy lunch worth looking forward to.

The above picture shows Kimchi  (fermented for 7 days in refrigerator) along with sticky rice and vegetables for a delicious Rice and Kimchi dinner.

Earlier I shared Vegan Kimchi recipe. This recipe I'm sharing on repeat requests for regular Kimchi. The main difference between this recipe and vegan recipe is the use of Fish Sauce (or shrimp paste). This recipe is made the traditional way where fish based sauce or paste is used as the source of salt and flavor in the Kimchi Paste.

What Do You Need to Make Kimchi?

For homemade Kimchi you will need two special Korean ingredients i.e. Gochugaru - Korean Chili Flakes and Sweet Rice Flour.

Gochugaru is Korean Chili Flakes that are bright roasted chili flakes with distinct fruity flavor. Gochugaru is mild to medium spicy.

Sweet Rice Flour is fine rice flour. You can get this in most Asian stores or buy online. For kimchi, sweet rice flour act as Kimchi Paste thickener. It is the key ingredient to make a consistent Kimchi Paste that sticks to cabbage. In my opinion, it is a must ingredient to make authentic Kimchi.

Here is a complete list of ingredients to make Kimchi:

1. Napa Cabbage
2. Sweet Rice Flour
3. Gochugaru
4. fish sauce (or fish paste)
5. Ginger
6. Garlic
7. Onion
8. Carrots
9. Radish - optional
10. Green Onion
11. Salt and Sugar

Salt Cure Napa Cabbage

Make of Kimchi starts by salting the Napa Cabbage i.e. Salt Cure Cabbage. Salt draws out moisture from the cabbage. 

This process helps cabbage ferment properly and Kimchi stays fresh longer.

In the picture above, notice the difference in volume of cabbage in the bowl. On the left is fresh salted Napa cabbage. On the right, cabbage has lost water, is slightly wilted (salt-cured) and there is water collected at bottom of the bowl.

Make Kimchi Paste

Kimchi Paste is mixture of rice flour paste, Korean chili flakes, and grated ginger, garlic and onion. Rice paste gives kimchi paste some thickness which is much needed to make kimchi paste stick to the cabbage leaves. This speeds up the fermentation. Also make thick glistening fermented Kimchi sauce.

Fish Sauce is used in Kimchi to add flavor and salt. If you can find Shrimp Paste use that or use a good quality Fish Sauce. If you don't prefer very fishy taste; replace half of the fish sauce with soy sauce or liquid aminos.

Fermenting Kimchi

To keep longer, refrigerate Kimchi after assembly. Let it ferment slowly. 

Above picture shows the salt treated Napa Cabbage mixed with Kimchi Paste. It starts fermenting in 24 hours. You can also keep a small jar of kimchi at room temperature to ferment quickly. Refrigerate remaining to use as needed.

After a week, kimchi has delicious fermented aroma and flavor is spot-on; just like store-bought Napa Cabbage Kimchi.

How To Use Kimchi?

Honestly, I love Kimchi as a pickle/condiment with almost every meal. Specially a bowl of rice, grilled meat, and soups are best ways to use. 

My Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice and Kimchi Fried Rice recipes are my other two favorite ways to eat more Kimchi.

The homemade fermented Kimchi is healthy, and preservative free. It is a great source of probiotics. Plus kimchi makes a great condiment to serve with rice or BBQ. I love to include a serving of kimchi with every meal. Not just for health benefits but also for the amazing flavor. This Kimchi recipe is not very spicy because Korean Gochugaru Chili Flakes are not very spicy. I'm sure you will love kimchi.

This season, bring home some fresh Napa Cabbage, Korean Chili Flakes and try homemade Kimchi!