How to Eat Kimchi

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Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish consisting of primarily fermented cabbage. Other ingredients include vinegar, garlic, chili pepper, scallions, and/or radishes. It has a spicy, tangy flavor great for nearly any meal. Eating kimchi helps maintain gut health, as fermented foods are loaded with beneficial microbes. [1] You can eat kimchi on its own, or you can use it to make rice, noodles, and soup, for instance. Grab chopsticks or a fork and dig in!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Eating Kimchi Plain

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  1. Kimchi is ready to eat fresh out of the jar! Grab a fork, twist off the lid, and take a bite. [2]
    • Kimchi by itself pairs great with Korean BBQ.
  2. Scoop the cabbage out of the jar, and pierce each piece with a single toothpick. Then, arrange each piece on a plate, and serve them as bite-sized snacks. [3]
    • This is a great idea for a dinner party.
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  3. You can eat kimchi straight out of the fridge, or you can throw it in a small skillet and heat it up with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of vegetable oil. It tastes great both ways! [4]
    • Some people prefer the cold, spicy taste, while others find the tangy texture best when heated up.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Serving Kimchi with Breakfast

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  1. with kimchi to take them up a notch. Before you make your eggs, slice your kimchi into bite-sized pieces with a sharp, serrated knife. Then, prepare your eggs on medium heat, and mix your kimchi into your egg batter. Cook your eggs for about 2-4 minutes, or until the liquid is completely solid. [5]
    • Use about 1/4-1 cup (59.2-236.6 grams) of kimchi for 2-3 large eggs, based on personal taste preference.
    • If you'd like, throw your kimchi egg scramble into a tortilla with some sliced avocado to easily make a breakfast taco.
  2. Stuff your omelet with kimchi for a spicy addition. Heat up a 2-3 egg omelet in a medium skillet, and add 1/4-1 cup (59.2-236.6 grams) of kimchi when you mix in your favorite toppings. Then, fold over your omelet and serve it on a plate. This is a great idea to add spice to your omelet rather than topping it with hot sauce or sriracha. [6]
    • Other yummy toppings you can pair with kimchi include arugula, bacon, or ham.
  3. Mix together 1/2 cup (118.3 grams) of flour, 1/2 cup (118.3 grams) of potato starch, and 1/4 tsp (1.2 g) of salt in a large bowl. Then, add 1/2 cup (118.3 grams) of kimchi, 1/2 cup (120 mL) of kimchi juice, 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of water, and 1 chopped scallion. Mix it all together, and add the batter to a warmed pan. Fry 1 side until it is brown, and flip it over to fry the other side. [7]
    • To make a dipping sauce, add together 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water, 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of rice vinegar, and 1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of sesame oil.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Having Kimchi with Dinner

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  1. To make a yummy, savory sauce, finely chop up 1 cup (236.6 grams) of kimchi using a sharp, serrated knife. Then, warm up 1 stick of butter on medium heat. As the butter heats up, mix your chopped kimchi into the butter. Then, add 2 tbsp (30 grams) of gochujang, 1 ⁄ 2 cup (120 mL) of broth, and 1 ⁄ 3 cup (79 mL) of kimchi juice. Simmer this for about 3-5 minutes to finish your sauce. [8]
    • Then, you can serve your sauce over udon, rice, or spaghetti noodles .
    • To make the sauce in advance, pour the sauce into a glass jar and refrigerate it for no more than 1 week. You can freeze the sauce for up to 1 month.
  2. Add kimchi to your mac and cheese for a spicy twist. Pour half of your mac and cheese across the bottom of a baking dish, and top the mac and cheese with an even layer of kimchi (about 1/4 cup or 3312.2 grams). Add the rest of your mac and cheese over top, and then pour another 1/4 cup (3312.2 grams) of kimchi over top. Sprinkle on some shredded cheese if you'd like, and make the dish at 400 °F (204 °C) for 25 minutes. [9]
    • If you'd like, you can garnish the dish with chopped jalepeño, basil, and cilantro.
    • You can either make boxed macaroni and cheese, homemade mac and cheese, or purchase store-made mac and cheese.
  3. Rip off leaves from a head of lettuce, and wash them in cool water. Then, mix together 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 mL) of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of honey. Grab a bowl, pour in your cooked protein, and add in your kimchi. Pour the mixture over top and mix it thoroughly. Finally, scoop your mixture equally over 8-12 leaves of lettuce. [10]
    • You can choose from protein options including cooked tofu , chicken , pork , or beef along with your kimchi.
    • To eat, wrap the contents up in the lettuce and take a bite!
  4. First, make 1 cup (236.6 grams) of white rice. Then, add diced onion, garlic, and scallion to the pan and heat for about 1 minute. Mix in your kimchi and rice, and fry the mixture for 5-10 minutes. Garnish the dish with your fried egg, silver nori, and sesame seeds. [11]
    • If you'd like, you can add soy sauce or sriracha sauce to give your dish extra flavor.
    • Silver nori is a form of dried seaweed.
    • You can customize your fried rice by adding or subtracting any ingredient.
  5. You can either make a vegetable stir fry or chicken stir fry , for example. Chop up your desired vegetables with a large serrated knife so they are in about 1 in (2.5 cm) chunks. Serve your stir fry over prepared white rice, and add about 1/4 cup (59.2 grams) of cold kimchi on top. [12]
    • Alternatively, you can cook your kimchi into your stir fry for extra spice. To do this, add about 1 cup (236.6 grams) of kimchi to your vegetables when you start to warm them up. This cooks the vegetables in the kimchi flavor, giving the dish a bold, tangy taste.
    • You can stir fry vegetables including broccoli, carrots, snap peas, edamame, and corn.
  6. For an easy, quick option, make your soup base, and add 4 cups (946.4 grams) of kimchi after your soup begins to boil. After about 5 minutes, add 1 cup (240 mL) of kimchi juice for extra flavoring. Bring your mixture to a boil, and simmer for 35 minutes. [13]
    • If you'd like, you can season with salt and pepper, and top each bowl with a fried egg yolk and sesame seeds.
    • There are countless Korean stew recipes you can try. Add your favorite ingredients to this recipe, or search online for other Korean stew recipes.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.eatthis.com/best-probiotic-foods/
      2. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      3. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      5. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      6. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      7. ↑ https://thewoksoflife.com/2016/12/kimchi-pancake/
      8. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      9. ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/recipe/this-kimchi-mac-and-cheese-is-changing-the-game
      1. ↑ https://chatelaine.com/recipe/dinner/chicken-kimchee-lettuce-wraps/
      2. ↑ https://www.budgetbytes.com/kimchi-fried-rice/
      3. ↑ https://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/everything-you-can-do-jar-kimchi
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-eat-kimchi-korean-pickle-in-soup-stews-noodles-article
      5. ↑ https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/what-is-kimchi-and-how-do-i-eat-it

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To eat kimchi, try eating it straight out of the jar for an effortless snack. Or, you can heat it up in a pan with some vegetable oil if you'd prefer to eat it warm. You can also add kimchi to your favorite dishes, like scrambled eggs, mac and cheese, or stir-fry. Alternatively, you can add some kimchi to a soup or stew you're making to give it a spicy kick. For tips on how to add kimchi to other dishes, like omelets, read on!

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