Kimchi Product Review

What is Kimchi?

Kimchi is a traditional dish that accompanies most meals served in Korea. It is basically spicy and crispy fermented cabbage that can be served as a side dish, soup as well as the main dish cooked with other ingredients.

It was created as a way to preserve vegetables such as cabbage, radish, cucumber, and spring onions for the cold winter seasons.

There are many variations in recipes and forms using different ingredients such as vegetables and seasonings.



Which Kimchi product is popular in Korea?

Kimchi is available in a variety of types made with different vegetables and seasonings and many packaging sizes in the markets.

Kimchi product quality highly depends on the ingredients such as salt, chili powder, and natural ingredients because they ensure the fresh and crisp texture of Kimchi.

  
Here are some popular Kimchi products. Ratings for Kimchi products are only for the taste of the products due to the different packaging types and prices offered all over the world.

  • Bibigo Sliced Baechu Kimchi  
    • Rating: ★★★★★
    • Very spicy and crunchy
    • Good for a side dish
    • Quality ingredients used 
    • Various packaging sizes
    • Little bit pricy

  • Bibigo Whole Baechu Kimchi  
    • Rating: ★★★★★
    • Very spicy and crunchy
    • Good for dishes with different Kimchi sizes such as soups or fried rice
    • Quality ingredients used
    • Not easy to store once opened
    • Still pricy than other products

 

  • Jongga Mat Kimchi
    • Rating: ★★★★☆
    • Spicy and a little bit sweet
    • Generous amount in a big jar
    • Good quality ingredients used for more than 30 years
    • Easily stored within a jar

 

  • Jongga Pogi Kimchi
    • Rating: ★★★★☆
    • Spicy with more chili taste
    • Good for dishes with different Kimchi sizes such as soups or fried rice
    • Generous amount
    • Good quality ingredients used for more than 30 years

  • Pulmuone Kimchi - Spicy
    • Rating: ★★★☆☆
    • Tasty but less spicy and crunchy
    • Moderate smell
    • Available in big markets such as Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Food Lion, etc.

  • Illpum Kimchi
    • Rating: ★★★☆☆
    • Less spicy and crunchy
    • Taste bland with less Kimchi filling
    • Fairly lower price

Is Kimchi healthy?

The health benefits of Kimchi have been scientifically proven by global organizations. Kimchi has a high nutritional value such as lactic acid bacteria and a bacterium from the fermentation process. These are known to help digestion and the immune system. 

In recent years, scientists have discovered that Kimchi makes excellent probiotics that are also found in yogurt and other fermented dairy products. These natural probiotics help you to maintain healthy digestion.


What can you do with Kimchi?

You can have Baechu Kimchi which is the most common type of Kimchi as your side dish with almost any meals. It is made with a whole cabbage mixed with various seasonings including chili powder, garlic, salt, ginger, fish sauce, etc. Cut Baechu Kimchi into small pieces before you serve them.



There are some less spicy versions of Kimchi that are great for children.
 



One of the most popular dishes is Kimchjeon also know as Kimchi pancake or KimchiBuchimgae. It's spicy, crispy, chewy, and hot. It is the most Korean's all-time favorite dish on a rainy day with alcoholic beverages.



Kimchi is also used in a variety of soups with tofu, spring onions, and mushrooms. Kimchijjigae is a very popular spicy and flavorful soup served with a bowl of rice.


You can add Kimchi to your Bibimbap. Or you can make Kimchi fried rice with fresh seasonal veggies, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and egg to increase its flavor.


Any special tips?

You can make your own Kimchi quite easily. It only takes about 30 minutes with a simplified version of the recipe that you can find online.


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