South Koreans consume a whopping 1.85 million tons of kimchi per year, and since the raw food craze has taken off around the globe, they're not the only ones. Recently, kimchi has become extremely popular here in the UK too, to the extent that it's now a staple ingredient found in health stores and supermarkets. So whether you like it as is, with your noodles, mixed into fried rice or for making Korean pancakes with, we've got something for you.
With a delectable flavour and zesty bite, kimchi is not only tasty enough to enjoy straight from the jar but it's full of good bacteria to boost the immune system too. Cue our guide — which we have paired with the top 10 best kimchis available on Amazon, Asda, Waitrose and Japan Centre — to help you find your favourite combination of sourness, spice and umami. Yum!
Kimchi originated in Korea somewhere between the 1st century BC and the 7th century AD, and by that time, families had long used food preservation methods to ensure a constant food supply during harsh winters. Over time, cabbage and later chilli peppers were preserved and combined with other ingredients such as; radish, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce, and from there kimchi was established as a culinary staple.
Baechu (napa, or Chinese cabbage) kimchi is the type we simply know as "kimchi" but it's in fact just one of around 200 different types including; mild baek (white) kimchi, cubed radish kimchi and Nabak (red water) kimchi which is something between a vegetable soup and a punch.
The Chinese cabbage-based kimchi we're all familiar with can come in many variations with a wide selection of additional ingredients like pear, kale, and gochugaru chilli. But pungency, bite, and a healthy pop or hiss upon opening the lid or pouch are all things that good kimchi has in common.
Whether you've tasted kimchi already or you're a total newbie, it can be useful to have an idea of what to look for — as flavours, ingredients and health benefits of kimchi can vary a lot across products. In this guide, we will go through the important things to look for in a kimchi to ensure you find the best fermented veggie combo for your palate!
Kimchi usually contains napa cabbage, Chinese leaves or radish combined with gochugaru chilli, spring onions, ginger, garlic and sometimes bone broth or fish sauce — but lots of kimchi creators are really starting to experiment with different flavours and ingredients.
If you fancy being a little adventurous there are lots of exciting options ranging from all green kimchi made from fermented cucumber, apple, kale and jalapenos to kimchi offerings that are seasoned with turmeric and cayenne pepper.
Go for products that are made with raw, unpasteurised and natural ingredients for maximum health benefits and look out for kimchi containing thickeners, flavour enhancers or sweeteners — which may have a tempting taste but aren't as healthy as the ones made with good old Mother Nature in mind.
Kimchi can range from completely mild to extremely hot and spicy, and everything in between, so it's a good idea to consider your preferred level of spice before making a purchase. Those who like it mellow may want to choose a mild kimchi and work up from there, whereas spice lovers can go straight for the products packing the heat.
Most kimchi is somewhere in between, at a medium level of spice, unless the packaging specifies otherwise. Bear in mind that Korean-produced kimchi may also be spicier than those made in the UK, as tastes vary across the continents.
Being hailed as a "perfect" raw, vegan, and (sometimes) organic food by health bloggers and chefs these days, you might assume that you don't need to look at the label if you have specific dietary requirements. But we would encourage you to still check the ingredients list before buying, as kimchi can be made in different ways and can sometimes contain meat (bone broth), fish, or shellfish.
Many traditional Korean kimchi products contain bone broth or fish, giving an extra punchy and delicious flavour, so you may want to check the label if you are a vegan or vegetarian. Many UK-based brands seem to boast fully vegan ingredients, however, it's still worth making sure there isn't a smidge of fish sauce hiding in the ingredient list too.
The container type you choose will depend on the purpose of your kimchi, whether you want to eat it gradually, store it in your cupboard or even take it to a picnic or on a camping trip. A pot or jar is probably the best value for money if you intend to eat kimchi more than once, and a glass jar can be easily kept in the fridge and reused or recycled after you've eaten the contents.
Kimchi in a pouch is another popular option as this style of container keeps the kimchi super fresh, and some pouches can be resealed to save the rest of the pack for later. For a very affordable option that's easy to store in a cupboard for a long period of time, or to take on a camping trip or to work, canned kimchi is a great idea.
Canned kimchi serves one portion which can be really convenient but maybe not the best value if you eat lots of kimchi. However, additives like thickeners, flavour enhancers and other not-so-healthy ingredients are often added to cans of kimchi to help preserve it, which isn't as ideal as eating it fresh.
So now we've given you our top kimchi tips, we hope you're hungry for our top ten favourites from the likes of Loving Foods, YUMCHI and Yutaka. Good health has never tasted so exciting!
£4.45
Main ingredients | Salted napa cabbage, radish, anchovy extract, shrimp extract |
---|---|
Level of spice | - |
Suitable for | - |
Container type | Pouch |
£2.20
Main ingredients | Chinese cabbage |
---|---|
Level of spice | Medium |
Suitable for | Vegetarians |
Container type | Can |
£4.50
Main ingredients | Chinese leaf cabbage, cucumber, apple, kale, green jalapeno |
---|---|
Level of spice | Hot |
Suitable for | Vegans |
Container type | Pot |
£1.80
Main ingredients | Cabbage, radish, red pepper, salted anchovy, crustaceans |
---|---|
Level of spice | Medium |
Suitable for | - |
Container type | Can |
£2.89
Main ingredients | Cabbage, radish, spices |
---|---|
Level of spice | Mild |
Suitable for | Vegans |
Container type | Jar |
Pack of 2
£12.99
Main ingredients | Napa cabbage, carrot, apple, pear, gochugaru chilli |
---|---|
Level of spice | Medium |
Suitable for | Vegans |
Container type | Pouch |
£7.80
Main ingredients | Cabbage, daikon radish, pear, green scallion, gochugaru chilli |
---|---|
Level of spice | Mild |
Suitable for | Vegans |
Container type | Jar |
£9.95
Main ingredients | Cabbage, pak choi, radish, chilli, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, tamari |
---|---|
Level of spice | Hot |
Suitable for | Vegans |
Container type | Jar |
Pack of 3
£14.95
Main ingredients | Chinese leaves, Spring onion, radish, fish sauce, glutinous rice powder |
---|---|
Level of spice | Medium to hot |
Suitable for | - |
Container type | Jar |
£9.95
Main ingredients | Cabbage, carrot, radish, chilli, ginger, cayenne pepper |
---|---|
Level of spice | Mild |
Suitable for | Vegans |
Container type | Jar |
Image | 1 ![]() Loving Foods | 2 ![]() MR. KIMCHI | 3 ![]() Loving Foods | 4 ![]() Kimchi with Everything | 5 ![]() YUMCHI | 6 ![]() Yutaka | 7 ![]() Ajumma Republic | 8 ![]() Vadasz | 9 ![]() Jonnga | 10 ![]() Bibigo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Organic Kimchi | Spicy Fermented Chinese Leaves | Organic Hot 'n' Smoky Kimchi | Fermented & Unpasteurised Mellow Kimchi | Organic Vegan Kimchi | Korean Kimchi | Korean Pickled Cabbage Kimchi | Super-Green Kimchi | Canned Kimchi Cabbage | Sliced Kimchi |
Features | Bursting With Beneficial Enzymes, Vitamins and Minerals | Freshly Handmade in the UK - Loaded With Nutrients and Probiotics for a Healthy Lifestyle | A Moreish Kimchi With Smoked Paprika and Cayenne Pepper | Delightfully Flavourful, Tangy and Vegan | Adapted From an Authentic Korean Family Recipe | A Traditional Kimchi Made With Fermented Cabbage, Radish, Garlic, Onions and Spices | Balanced and Flavourful at a Low Price | A Green Kimchi That's Gorgeous in Sandwiches, Salads and Burgers | For an Umami Addition to a Dish With Minimal Preparation | Made by an Authentic Korean Food Brand |
Price | £9.95 | £14.95 | £9.95 | £7.80 | £12.99 | £2.89 | £1.80 | £4.50 | £2.20 | £4.45 |
Main ingredients | Cabbage, carrot, radish, chilli, ginger, cayenne pepper | Chinese leaves, Spring onion, radish, fish sauce, glutinous rice powder | Cabbage, pak choi, radish, chilli, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, tamari | Cabbage, daikon radish, pear, green scallion, gochugaru chilli | Napa cabbage, carrot, apple, pear, gochugaru chilli | Cabbage, radish, spices | Cabbage, radish, red pepper, salted anchovy, crustaceans | Chinese leaf cabbage, cucumber, apple, kale, green jalapeno | Chinese cabbage | Salted napa cabbage, radish, anchovy extract, shrimp extract |
Level of spice | Mild | Medium to hot | Hot | Mild | Medium | Mild | Medium | Hot | Medium | - |
Suitable for | Vegans | - | Vegans | Vegans | Vegans | Vegans | - | Vegans | Vegetarians | - |
Container type | Jar | Jar | Jar | Jar | Pouch | Jar | Can | Pot | Can | Pouch |
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Author: Melanie McPhail
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