Like fried chicken? You absolutely have to try . (Actually, even if you don’t like fried chicken, you should make the mayo!) Like fried rice? Kimchi will turn it into a (and ready in only 20 minutes). Like a cheese toastie? How about stuffing some fiery kimchi in there before you set it to get all melty and golden?
You get where we’re going with this, don’t you?
This spicy pickle made of crunchy, salty fermented vegetables (most commonly cabbage or radish, but also made with everything from carrot to cucumber) is one of Korea’s great gifts to the world. But just as there are hundreds of different types of this fermented side there are many ways to use it in your favourite dishes – not just beside them. And remember, while some kimchis are fiery, others are milder, so hunt around for one that suits your spot on the hot-o-meter (or make your own – readyon for links to a multitude of DIY recipes, including a quick version).
Tart up a toastie
The crunchy, fiery nature of kimchi works brilliantly with the richness of gooey melted cheese – try it next time you’re firing up the jaffle maker or putting together a . Or give it a go in these – the cheese oozes out as these beauties bake and caramalises the edges of the quesadillas so you get that brilliant cooked cheese crunch when you bite in.
Kimchi quesadillas Source: Milk Bar Life
Eggs love kimchi
Almost any egg dish can be done with a kimchi twist.
Magic mayo
Trust us when we say that the simple action of stirring kimchi into Kewpie mayonnaise is like waving a magic wand. Give it a go in Dan Hong’s Korean fried chicken-inspired dish of .
You can also create instant flavour bang by stirring chopped or blended kim chi, or kim chi juice, into mashed potato, yoghurt and salad dressings.
Baby fried chicken with kimchi mayonnaise Source: Murdoch Books
Weeknight rice
“If you’re like me and always keep a tub of kimchi in the fridge, this is one of those weeknight dishes that’s perfect when there isn’t much else around,” says Adam Liaw of his . “You’d be surprised how tasty and satisfying a bowl of this economical fried rice can be.”
Kimchi fried rice Source: Adam Liaw
Korean comfort food
Gary Mehigan, who signs up for a lesson in making kimchi when he visits Korea in (check the to see when the series is next on air), is now a big fan of kimchi’s potential for lifting cheese toasties and fried rice – and plenty more.
“At home I use it in gimbap, different types of ramen soups, fried rice and stir-fried noodles of various kinds. It’s also brilliant on a burger or grilled in an oozy cheese toastie!” he tells us.
He also uses it in for kimchi jjigae, a comforting Korean stew.
Kimchi also lifts a combination of what blogger Christine C calls “all things plain but wonderful” – including instant ramen, salty Spam and rice cakes – in her (budae jjigae)
Gary's kimchi stew (kimchi jjigae) Source: Far Flung with Gary Mehigan
Cynthia's Korean army stew (budae jjigae) Source: Cynthia C
Don’t forget the dumplings…
Kimchi makes an excellent potsticker too – these Korean are filled with kimchi, beef and pork mince, spring onion and ginger.
Kimchi mandu Source: Feast magazine
And if you want to DIY, here’s how
Try your hand at a , or easy version; or branch out into ; ; or .
Cabbage kimchi Source: Murdoch Books
