Kimch’i

kimch’i a fermented vegetable and fish relish which is one of the most important foods in korea. A little is eaten at every meal as an accompaniment to rice.

Most Koreans make their own kimch’i. The commercial product sold in jars is inferior. The main ingredient is usually chinese cabbage, but there are many variants based on other vegetables, e.g. the oriental radishes which are ubiquitous in E. Asia, or on cucumber. Tongkimch’i, the normal cabbage-based version, differs in its composition in summer and winter according to what is available. A typical winter recipe includes, besides the cabbage: small quantities of salted fish, other vegetables such as leek, garlic, ginger, and chilli pepper ‘threads’, with many optional additions.