What's in it
Napa cabbage, chili flakes, garlic, ginger, fish sauce or salted shrimp.
More about Kimchi
Families make a winter's worth of kimchi together in late autumn in an event called gimjang, which UNESCO listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. Fresh kimchi is crisp and lively; after weeks it turns sour (mugeunji), which is what you want for stews and fried rice.
Good to know
Most kimchi contains fish sauce or salted shrimp, so it is not vegetarian unless it says vegan (비건) or temple-style (사찰).
Special diets and allergies
- Vegetarian: no — it is made with fermented seafood (fish sauce, salted shrimp).
- Watch for: Fermented seafood (fish sauce, salted shrimp).
- Pork: usually pork-free.
- Allergens: Fish, Crustaceans.
Recipes vary between restaurants. If an ingredient matters to you, ask before you order — or show a diet card.
Quick answers
What is Kimchi?
The classic kimchi: napa cabbage fermented with chili, garlic and ginger.
Is Kimchi spicy?
Only mildly — it has a little heat.
Is Kimchi vegetarian?
No — it is made with fermented seafood (fish sauce, salted shrimp).
Does Kimchi contain pork?
Usually pork-free.
What is Kimchi called in Korean?
배추김치, pronounced “baechugimchi”.