Kimchi
I have a confession. Sometimes I eat kimchi straight out of a jar with a fork. I’ve probably offended some of you with this revelation.
You may be thinking, “Kimchi? Why are you eating vegetables marinated in Gods-knows-what? Hasn’t it been buried in the ground to ferment or something weird like that? And it smells like dirty socks. No, Cindy. Just no.”
Or perhaps you’re wondering why I don’t use chopsticks to eat kimchi instead of a fork. Well, not only do I like using chopsticks to eat in Asian restaurants, I also prefer eating with them at home. So there.
Others may be shaking your heads (and turning up your noses, admit it) at store-bought kimchi. You’re thinking something like, “It’s so easy to make. Just grab a head of Napa cabbage, water, coarse salt, garlic, fresh ginger, fish sauce, chili paste or Korean chili powder, green onions, daikon radish, and sugar or honey, and follow this recipe or something similar.” Um yeah, I’ll get right on that.
I can think of one more thing that may offend some people more than what I’ve mentioned.
What if I’d shown you only these two photos, and not the first one, and passed it off as something I’d made?
Even I wouldn’t do something like that. (Although I’ve been tempted to for work and family potlucks.)
Don’t feel bad, I eat kimchi right out the the jar too. My mom makes the best and I can’t help myself lol.
Kimchi is delicious, although I would argue that yours looks a little scanty on the chili past. I really didn’t appreciate it until I moved to Korea, now its something I crave if I don’t get my regular fix.
hey, just found your site through the pioneer woman. we live in abu dhabi, uae and we get all sorts of asian stuff here. but i digress….
i applaud you for eating kimchi out of a jar w/a fork!!:-)
my husband and i love it. we have been so fortunate here to have great korean friends and one korean restaurant…all of whom make fab kimchi. i crave it (especially when pregnant).
keep up the wonderful site!!
jenfromfaraway
Kim: Yay, a fellow straight-out-of-the-jar eater!
Laura: The kimchi could have been a little spicier; the one pictured was mild flavored.
Jennifer: Thank you! I love reading where people are from, and what’s available where.
I get my kimchi from my local korean mart. The ahjumma there makes it fresh weekly and it is better than the chain suppliers.
Holly: It’s great that you can get fresh Kimchi so easily. I can only get it that way at Korean restaurants. I always look forward to the little side dishes, including Kimchi, that I get at them.