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Want to make home made kimchi? Here’s an easy recipe to follow.
While my mom was in town this month, she taught me how to make her kimchi recipe. I’ve been feeling an urgency to learn the basics, because I never know when I’ll have the chance again. I can always go off of recipes online, but it can never match the same nostalgic taste of a Korean home cooked meal growing up.
P.S. I started a new recipe blog with my mom calledMom’s Korean Recipes.
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Last Updated: August 31, 2023
- Kimchi Recipe Ingredients
- Directions on How to Make Kimchi
- Chef’s Notes
- More Korean Recipes
Mom’s Authentic Kimchi Recipe
A friend of ours recently documented her grandmother’s life story on video, and it made me wish I had done that for my grandma before her Alzheimer’s set in. It’s been really hard to shake the fact that life is so temporary.
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off.”
I used to be impatient about life and be anxious about what’s coming next, but now I feel like everything is passing by so fast. I regret not sitting down with my grandmother to hear her stories. Not just stories of her being a grandmother, but ones as a mother, as a wife, and as a child. I often forget that she once was like me, too.
It also seems that with each passing generation that is raised in the States, we lose more of the stories, we lose more of our culture, and we lose our family recipes.
I’m what they call a 1.5 generation, but probably closer to second generation since I moved to the U.S. when I was two and a half. I hardly speak Korean anymore and don’t cook much Korean food. Making my mom’s kimchi was abucket listitem that I’ve been putting off for a long time, but this month we decided to make it happen!
Kimchi Ingredients
- One napa cabbage
- 2 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon ofsweet rice flour
- 1/2 cup ofKorean hot chili pepper flakes
- 4 tablespoon fish sauce (my mom lovesthis onebest)
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 3 green onions
- 1/4 medium-sized onion
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp of ginger, minced
Pro Tip: Use gloves to keep your hands from getting stained.
See More: Korean Banchan Dried Squid Recipe
PinDirections for Making Kimchi
- Dissolve salt in 1 and 1/2 cups of water.
- Chop up napa cabbage and soak in salt water for 3-4 hours or until soft. (Can take up to 6 hrs.)
- To make the paste, add the sweet rice flour and one cup of water to a pot.
- Put over medium heat and continue to stir until thickened (about 5 mins).
- Transfer paste to a large bowl and add the korean chili pepper flakes, fish sauce, and sugar.
- Mix well and let the paste cool.
- Add green onions, onions, garlic, and ginger to the paste and mix.
- Once the cabbage is soft, remove from salt water and rinse thoroughly (we rinsed 3x).
- Massage paste into the cabbage and store in a jar.
- Serve immediately if you like fresh kimchi. If you like it more fermented, wait until it fits your tastes.
If you need to see a more detailed process through photos here they are:
Step 2:This is the chopped napa cabbage.
Soak the napa cabbage until it’s soft and limp like the photo below.
Step 4:This is what the rice flour paste looks after you stir it over heat.
Step 7:All the ingredients mixed into the paste.
Step 9:This is what it looks like to massage the paste into the kimchi.
PinChef’s Notes
- If you don’t like your kimchi really spicy, put less hot chili pepper flakes. I put double the amount my mom puts in (1 cup). She likes her food milder while nothing tastes too spicy for me.
- Depending on the size of the napa cabbage, you might not need to use all the paste. If you have extra paste, you can make cucumber kimchi or try mixing it into other veggies.
- Whenever you take out any kimchi, press down the remaining kimchi and submerge it in the liquid, or the kimchi will become very bitter and alter the flavor.
Do you like how I put them in mason jars? It’s my Korean heritage combined with twelve years of living in the South. ;)
Let me know if there was anything confusing about the recipe, and I can try to clarify. If you end up making it, let me know how you like it! Do you have any family favorite recipes that you’ve learned lately or want to learn?
Kimchi is definitely an acquired taste. One that Jacob has not acquired yet. haha
See More: Korean Chicken Soup Recipe
More Korean Recipes
- How to Make Korean Cucumber Side
- Korean Perilla Leaf Kimchi Recipe
- How to Make Beef Bulgogi
- Korean Spicy Rice Cake Recipe
- How to Make Doenjang Stew
Have you tried kimchi before? What did you think? Have you tried making kimchi before? Would love to hear what you think if you try this kimchi recipe.
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PinEsther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.
Tags: Asian Recipes, Banchan Recipes, Korean Food Recipes, Tried and True Recipes
This Post Has 43 Comments
Dale 3 Nov 2019 Reply
I am definitely going to have to try making kimchi. I have a Korean foreign exchange student here this year and she eats kimchi with every meal. I’m not a fan of it, but do love some of the Korean dishes we make together. Bibimbap is going to be something we will eat frequently after she goes home in the spring.
Brenna 12 Oct 2019 Reply
Hi! Can you make this in bulk and seal the jars?
jacob 15 Oct 2019 Reply
Definitely!
Linda Hayes 12 Sep 2019 Reply
Where can I buy this already made
Esther JuLee 12 Sep 2019 Reply
Hi Linda. That all depends on where you live, but all korean grocery stores will carry it, most asian grocery stores, and these days I’ve seen a few of american chain grocery stores carry it too. Oh, and I would also check the farmer’s markets if none of those work for you.
Debbie 21 Jul 2019 Reply
Can I leave the rice flour out? Or can I sub a different type of starch?
Esther JuLee 26 Jul 2019 Reply
Hi Debbie! You can substitute it with reg wheat flour but I think you still need some sort of starch in there.
Dave Matthews 24 May 2019 Reply
My mouth is watering with just the thought of making your Kimchi recipe. Like you mine is going to be spicy. I remember going into a Korean restaurant about 20 years ago and ordering some spicy Kim Chi and the server said are you sure. Guess they haven’t had to many caucasian customers ordering. Love it ever since and started making It myself recently. EASY to make.
Annaliza 25 Nov 2018 Reply
Thank you for posting this, it’s so detailed and helpful with the pictures. We have had 2 Korean college students live with us the past 5 years. Their mom ships kimchee from Busan and it’s amazing. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Esther JuLee 25 Nov 2018 Reply
You’re so welcome. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out. :)
Len 13 Aug 2018 Reply
I just made this kimchi today and it was perfect. Thank you for posting your recipe..:)
Esther JuLee 13 Aug 2018 Reply
So glad you liked the recipe, Len :)
Candace Couillard 19 Jul 2018 Reply
When you listed the ingredients you said to use 1/2 cup of red chili powder, then latter on you said you doubled the amount because you like it spicy, as do I.. Did you double it and ended up with 1/2 cup or did you double it and ended up with 1 cup? I’m going to be using you’re recipe when I make this so I don’t want to ruin it by making it to spicy to enjoy. Thanks so much!
Candace
Esther JuLee 21 Jul 2018 Reply
Oops! Thanks for pointing this out, Candace. I can see how this can be confusing, and I’ll have to add it into the notes. 1/2 cup is for it to be milder (I added 1 cup), but if you’re worried about it being too spicy, you can go even less than 1/2. A lot of Korean food goes by tasting as you make it, and you can always make adjustments as you go.
Rosa 5 Jul 2018 Reply
Hello. Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love kimchi and I can’t wait to make this at home. Oh btw, some put sesami oil, will it ruin the taste?
Rosa 5 Jul 2018 Reply
Hello. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I love kimchi and I can’t wait to make this one! Oh btw, some put sesami oil, will it ruin the taste?
Esther JuLee 25 Jul 2018 Reply
No, I don’t think it will ruin the taste. I feel like people put sesame oil in a majority of korean recipes! haha If you want to try it, I would add a little bit to start, taste it, and add more if you like it.
Grnidpapple 20 Dec 2017 Reply
Can you use Korean chili powder instead of the chili flakes?
Esther JuLee 28 Dec 2017 Reply
I think they’re the same thing as long as it’s made from the Korean chilis. One just might be finer or coarser than the other.
Eddie 5 Jul 2017 Reply
While this is fermenting, is a lid kept on the jar? Keeping it at room temperature, while this help speed the fermenting? Thanks a bunch! Looking forward to it!
Esther JuLee 5 Jul 2017 Reply
I would keep the lid on the jar. I’m sure taking the lid off would speed up the fermenting even more, but I’ve always had the lid on and left it on the counter until I liked the taste and then refrigerate it. Yes, keeping it at room temperature would speed up the fermenting. Let me know how it turns out!
renneth 3 Jul 2017 Reply
Hi Esther, just wandering how can i increase the liquid in kimchi in order that all veggies submerge? If i don’t have a jar, is it ok to use stainless bowl instead?
Thanks for answering.Esther JuLee 3 Jul 2017 Reply
Hi Renneth. You can increase the water and amount of salt to get it all submerged since you will be taking it out of the solution later. You’re using a stainless bowl with a lid? I think it depends on how long you want to keep your kimchi. If it’s not as air tight, I don’t think it will last as long, but kimchi lasts for a long time if you keep it refrigerated. Let me know what you decide to do. I’d love to hear if it worked well in the bowl.
Beth 29 Dec 2017 Reply
Might be too late, but according to most information on fermentation and pickling,metal is reactive, and not recommended. Glass is preferred. .
Esther JuLee 1 Jan 2018 Reply
Thanks, Beth! We always use glass too and never had much experience with metal.
Terry 11 Oct 2019 Reply
Can I use Korean Hot Pepper Paste instead of the dry spice?
Esther JuLee 16 Oct 2019 Reply
You can use the hot pepper paste if you intend to eat it right away, but it’s recommended to use the dry spice if you want to keep it for a long time.
Yosephine D Wuinata 18 Jun 2017 Reply
Do you leave it in the counter or fridge?
How long can it last?
thank youuEsther JuLee 3 Jul 2017 Reply
Depends on how sour you like your kimchi. I don’t like mine as fresh, so I might leave it out on the counter for a few days before putting it in the fridge. I’ve kept kimchi for several months in the fridge and it was fine. It doesn’t spoil but the taste changes and gets more sour as the time goes on. When it’s too sour, we usually make it into kimchi stew.
Amy | Club Narwhal 9 Apr 2014 Reply
Esther, I love that you were able to have your mom teach you the art of kimchi :) I am Korean but since I was adopted I don’t know how to make anything…though lots of well meaning Korean grandmas always offer to teach me. Can’t wait to try this!
esther julee 10 Apr 2014 Reply
Oh! I had no idea you were korean. :) You’ll have to tell me how it turns out!! I guess even though I was raised by korean parents.. I never really had to learn much of anything. :P I am actually back home for a week or two so hopefully I will learn a lot more from her. Usually if I want korean food I eat out, but now that Las Vegas doesn’t have good korean food.. looks like I have to learn after all!
Kathy Lam 2 Apr 2014 Reply
What is the sweet rice flour
esther julee 3 Apr 2014 Reply
I’m not really sure how else to describe it except that it’s flour made from rice that is sweet. here’s another version we use. Maybe you’ll find this to look more familiar? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G6KGXAE?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00G6KGXAE&linkCode=xm2&tag=estherjulee-20
Jill 10 Feb 2014 Reply
Can you use regular green cabbage?
esther julee 11 Feb 2014 Reply
I don’t think the results will be the same. It will be too soft / soggy.
nancycola 19 Nov 2013 Reply
I made this last night and it is sooooo good. Straight out of the jar it’s good. Can’t wait to taste it as it ferments with time. Thanks so much for the helpful photos! I probably would not have made it, not being even close to Korean, without them.
esther julee 19 Nov 2013 Reply
That’s so good to hear!! :) I usually like mine more fermented so I’m still waiting.
Quinn 5 Nov 2013 Reply
I can so relate to wanting to document your heritage. 6 months after my grandfather passed, I saw a video (interview with family photos) that a friend did with her grandmother and it really made me sad that I didn’t think of doing that before my Papa passed. I’m already fretting some of the details of his stories and it’s only been 4 years…
My grandmother also has Alzheimer’s. I tried interviewing her on video, but she comes in and out of the present so much that it just didn’t work out. Alzheimer’s can be such a cruel disease.
Love the kimchi recipe! For some reason, I always thought it was much more complicated to make. I’ll have to try it for my Korean in-laws :)
esther julee 5 Nov 2013 Reply
You should! :) Same here.. I never made it because it always seemed so complicated. And then there’s that period where you put it in the ground.. I just didn’t know what’s still applicable. haha but it helped having my mom there to teach me.
Even if my grandma has alzheimer’s i’m still trying to take a lot of photos and get clips of her voice just so I remember it. I haven’t taken video yet, but I know I want to. Even if she doesn’t have all her memories, I would still like to document her mannerisms, her voice.. I would hate to forget what her voice sounds like.
Monica Kim Lau 25 Oct 2013 Reply
Yum! I miss really good kimchi and Korean restaurants. I tried making it once when we first moved out here to New Mexico, but I found some random recipe online that was only so-so. Sherwin doesn’t eat it either :( I will have to try this recipe next!
esther julee 25 Oct 2013 Reply
that used to make me so sad.. because eating together is something that is so important to me. now, that i think about it.. i don’t think this issue has ever been resolved. haha let me know how it turns out! i hope it matches your tastes well. :) i know everyone has a diff taste they go for.
Jennifer Chong 25 Oct 2013 Reply
ohhhh i’ll take your jar! :)
esther julee 25 Oct 2013 Reply
I made two, so you can have one of them! :) Jacob doesn’t eat kimchi.. so it’s pretty rare that we finish them. Isn’t that sad?
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