Q&A for How to Make Kimchi

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  • Question
    Why do I have to put the plastic bag in the jar?
    Community Answer
    Putting the bag in the jar will ensure that the vegetables stay submerged in the brine and don't get moldy or yeasty.
  • Question
    How can I heat up kimchi?
    Community Answer
    I suppose you could heat it in a frying pan, but you may kill the healthy bacteria inside the kimchi.
  • Question
    Is there any veg substitute for fish sauce?
    Community Answer
    Perhaps try a liquid amino, though Vegemite may be more suitable as it’s flavor and consistency is thicker.
  • Question
    Are there any other alternatives for putting the bag in the jar?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can use boiled river stones as weights to keep the kimchi submerged in the brine.
  • Question
    Can I use commercial hot chili sauce instead of chili pepper flakes?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it will change the consistency and flavor of the kimchi.
  • Question
    How long do I leave it in brine?
    Community Answer
    Leave it for 3 to 6 days.
  • Question
    Can regular pepper flakes be used?
    Community Answer
    No, regular red pepper will be too spicy and carries a much different flavor than Korean chili powder.
  • Question
    What are all of the vegetables I can use in kimchi?
    Community Answer
    I couldn’t possibly name them all! You can use radishes, round cabbage, perilla leaves, lotus roots, and ginger. Pretty much any crisp, crunchy, leafy root vegetable could be made into kimchi.
  • Question
    How can you tell if kimchi has gone bad?
    Community Answer
    You can usually tell that the kimchi is no longer fresh when the vegetables become mushy and the brine develops bubbles.
  • Question
    How do I cut the carrot if metal or plastic utensils cannot be used?
    Community Answer
    You can use metal utensils while preparing the food, just not when storing them, especially if the fermenting process is used.
  • Question
    Can I use plastic containers for this?
    Community Answer
    You can actually use them, but it's not highly recommended, as kimchi may leave a smell in the jar even after a wash.
  • Question
    Can I use soy sauce to make kimchi?
    Community Answer
    No, because soy sauce is different from fish sauce, and is very salty.
  • Question
    Will still fermenting Kimchi bubble when the jar is opened?
    Community Answer
    Yes! Korean people get together in March to make the kimchi for the whole year, so even if they store the kimchi in the fridge for a year, it is still fermenting, Just be careful to not contaminate your kimchi with other bacteria or virus leaving the jar open because can be unhealthy for you. Also, the bubbles are CO2, so if you open the jar, it is highly probable that you lose that CO2, is not needed for kimchi, but still if you like that bubbles you should probably leave it closed (like kombucha or sauerkraut).
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