Today we’re making Korean cabbage kimchi using regular cabbage (양배추김치) instead of Asian Napa cabbage. It’s easier to find and just as delicious!

What Is Kimchi?

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented food made by pickling vegetables such as napa cabbage or radish in salt, then mixing them with spices such as chili pepper, green onions and garlic before fermenting. It is considered one of Korea’s staple foods and is an essential side dish for Korean meals. Depending on the region, there are many variations of kimchi, with different ingredients and preparation methods.

5 Types of Representative Kimchi

There are many types of kimchi, depending on the vegetables used(ingredients how to make kimchi). Here are five representative types.

Baechu Kimchi (배추김치): The most common and iconic kimchi made with Napa cabbage.
Kkakdugi (깍두기): Kimchi made by cutting radish into small, square pieces.
Chonggak Kimchi (총각김치): Kimchi made with young, small radishes, often including their greens.
Yeolmu Kimchi (열무김치): Kimchi made with young summer radish (yeolmu), typically served in a lighter, refreshing
Pa Kimchi (파김치): Kimchi made with green onions, which gives it a unique, pungent flavor. version.

Korean Identity, Kimchi

It’s no exaggeration to say that Koreans embed our identity in kimchi, as we absolutely love it. Sometimes, it’s not unusual to have kimchi soup alongside kimchi fried rice in a single meal.

Delicious Dishes Made with Kimchi

In Korea, there are so many dishes that use kimchi. From soups and stews to Korean side dishes, kimchi is used in a wide variety of dishes, such as kimchi soup, kimchi stew, and kimchi fried rice. Let me share with you two incredibly delicious kimchi recipes. One is my mother’s secret recipe for kimchi jjim (kimchi stew). It has a deeper, richer flavor than kimchi jjigae and is truly exceptional!

Pork Belly Kimchi Jjim (Braised Kimchi)

This is a kimchi jjim with a deeper and richer flavor than the traditional kimchi stew I learned from my mom. By simmering cabbage kimchi and whole pork belly, the harmony of flavors is simply amazing. Don't miss out on my mom's secret ingredients!

Check out this recipe

The other is tofu kimchi, but with a twist – it has so much meat that even meat lovers will fall in love with tofu! Meat Kimchi Bokkeum (stir-fried kimchi with meat) makes a great side dish to enjoy with rice.

Meat Lover’s Tofu Kimchi

This is a protein-packed tofu dish made for meat lovers! Generously topped with savory pork kimchi stir-fry, it's a flavorful side dish and a fantastic snack to pair with drinks. The Pork Kimchi Stir-Fry is also delicious served over rice!

Check out this recipe

The Popularity of Kimchi Overseas

Recently, kimchi has been trending worldwide. Here in Europe, in Belgium, kimchi is starting to catch on as well. Many people are buying kimchi, and fusion dishes like “Kimchi Croque Monsieur” have begun to appear on menus. I was even surprised to find homemade kimchi served as a snack at a wine bar!

Hard To FInd Napa Kimchi

Just three years ago, my Belgian friends in Ghent often had to travel to Germany to get Asian cabbage. Last year, I went to an Asian market to buy that, but this year, I’m so happy to see that even regular Belgian supermarkets like Delhaize and Albert Heijn occasionally sell napa cabbage. This alone shows how much things have changed! However, many people still have difficulty finding napa cabbage, and for those who find it inconvenient to make the trip to an Asian market, today’s Korean recipe is for “Cabbage Kimchi.” Recently, the price of napa cabbage skyrocketed in Korea, reaching up to 20,000 to 30,000 won(14~21 euro) per head. As a result, many people made kimchi using more affordable cabbage.

What Does Cabbage Kimchi Taste Like?

Cabbage kimchi is delicious, with its natural sweetness and crunchy texture! I’ll now introduce you to this easy-to-make cabbage kimchi that you can prepare even overseas!