What Is Kimchi and Why Koreans Eat It With Everything

Kimchi is one of the most famous foods in Korean cuisine — and for a good reason. It’s crunchy, spicy, sour, and packed with flavor. If you’ve ever eaten at a Korean BBQ restaurant, you’ve probably noticed that kimchi is served with almost every meal. Here’s why.

1. What Exactly Is Kimchi?

Kimchi is fermented vegetables, usually:

• napa cabbage

• radish

It’s seasoned with:

• chili flakes

• garlic

• ginger

• green onions

• salt

• a little sugar

• sometimes fish sauce or shrimp paste

The vegetables are left to ferment, which gives kimchi its signature tangy flavor.

2. Why Koreans Eat Kimchi With Everything

Koreans don’t treat kimchi like a side dish — it’s part of the meal.Here’s why it shows up everywhere:

✔ It balances rich, fatty foods

Korean BBQ (like galbi and pork belly) is rich.Kimchi cuts through the fat and makes every bite feel lighter.

✔ It adds crunch and freshness

The crispy texture works perfectly next to hot, grilled meat.

✔ It helps with digestion

Fermented foods support gut health.Koreans have eaten kimchi for thousands of years for this reason.

✔ It’s full of flavor

Spicy + sour + salty.It adds a kick to anything: rice, soups, noodles, BBQ.

✔ It’s part of Korean culture

Kimchi is made in family batches and passed down through generations.It represents tradition, history, and home cooking.

3. Health Benefits of Kimchi

Kimchi is powerful even in small amounts.

• High in probiotics (good for your stomach)

• Low in calories

• Boosts digestion

• Rich in vitamins A, B, and C

• Anti-inflammatory

This is a big reason why Koreans include it in almost every meal.

4. Types of Kimchi You Might See

There are over 200 types of kimchi, but the most common ones are:

• Baechu Kimchi (cabbage kimchi)

• Kkakdugi (cubed radish kimchi)

• White Kimchi (not spicy, mild flavor)

• Pogi Kimchi (whole cabbage, fermented longer)

Each one has slightly different flavors and textures.

5. How to Eat Kimchi at Korean BBQ

Here are the simplest ways:

• With grilled meat (perfect combo)

• In rice bowls

• Wrapped in lettuce with pork belly

• Mixed into fried rice

• On top of soups or noodles

You can eat it however you like — there’s no wrong way.

Final Thoughts

Kimchi is more than a side dish.It’s a staple, a tradition, and a flavor that brings balance to Korean meals.Whether you’re eating BBQ, noodles, or rice, kimchi completes the experience and adds a taste of Korean culture to every bite.