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Why We're So Crazy About Kimchi: 14 Spicy Recipes

We love this collection of kimchi recipes, which ranges from a quick, simple pickle to traditional Korean pancakes and more inventive takes on our favorite Korean condiment.
<p>Austin is loaded with food trucks, and the Korean-Mexican-Texan mash-up that is Chi'Lantro is one of chef Aarón Sanchez's favorites.</p><p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/french-fries-bulgogi-caramelized-kimchi-recipe-fw0512" target="_blank"><b>French Fries with Bulgogi and Caramelized Kimchi</b></a></p>
Con Poulos
When it comes to the spicy stuff, we prefer to turn up the heat all the way up to 11. That's why we love this collection of kimchi recipes, which range from a quick, simple pickle to traditional Korean pancakes, and more inventive takes on our favorite Korean condiment. Hot stuff! Still curious about Korean food? Check out these easy Korean recipes to get familiar with this fabulous cuisine.
1

French Fries with Bulgogi and Caramelized Kimchi

<p>Austin is loaded with food trucks, and the Korean-Mexican-Texan mash-up that is Chi'Lantro is one of chef Aarón Sanchez's favorites.</p><p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/french-fries-bulgogi-caramelized-kimchi-recipe-fw0512" target="_blank"><b>French Fries with Bulgogi and Caramelized Kimchi</b></a></p>
Con Poulos

Austin is loaded with food trucks, and the Korean-Mexican-Texan mash-up that is Chi'Lantro is one of chef Aarón Sanchez's favorites.

Recipe: French Fries with Bulgogi and Caramelized Kimchi

2

Seared Eggplant and Kimchi Stir-Fry

<p>Spicy kimchi adds a nice kick of crunch and spice to this simple seared eggplant side dish.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/seared-eggplant-kimchi-stir-fry-recipe-fw0214%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeared Eggplant and Kimchi Stir-Fry</strong></a></p>
Todd Porter & Diane Cu

Spicy kimchi adds a nice kick of crunch and spice to this simple seared eggplant side dish.

Recipe: Seared Eggplant and Kimchi Stir-Fry

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3

Quick Cucumber Kimchi

<p>While slowly fermented cabbage and pungent garlic are the ingredients most people associate with kimchi, there are dozens and dozens of other versions of Korea's national dish, featuring all manner of vegetables, such as these quickly pickled cucumbers with just a trace of garlic.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/quick-cucumber-kimchi-recipe-ew0710%22 target="_blank"><strong>Quick Cucumber Kimchi</strong></a></p>
Ken Burris

While slowly fermented cabbage and pungent garlic are the ingredients most people associate with kimchi, there are dozens and dozens of other versions of Korea's national dish, featuring all manner of vegetables, such as these quickly pickled cucumbers with just a trace of garlic.

Recipe: Quick Cucumber Kimchi

4

Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Kimchi Miso Butter

<p>Cooking jumbo shrimp in the shell helps keep them from drying out in the heat of the grill pan and broiler; so does drizzling them with butter. Here, they're grilled with kimchi-miso butter.</p><p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/grilled-jumbo-shrimp-kimchi-miso-butter-recipe-fw0412"><b>Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Kimchi-Miso Butter</b></a></p>
© Anna Williams

Cooking jumbo shrimp in the shell helps keep them from drying out in the heat of the grill pan and broiler; so does drizzling them with butter. Here, they’re grilled with kimchi-miso butter.

Recipe: Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Kimchi-Miso Butter

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5

Turnip Kimchi

By pickling these turnips for just two days, the flavor of the vegetable comes through in this nouveau kimchi recipe. This version of the Korean staple is made without the traditional red chile flakes and is served just as it begins to ferment.<br /><br /><b>Recipe:</b> <a href="/recipefinder/turnip-kimchi-recipe-fw0910" target="_blank"><b>Turnip Kimchi</b></a>
Photo John Kernick
By pickling these turnips for just two days, the flavor of the vegetable comes through in this nouveau kimchi recipe. This version of the Korean staple is made without the traditional red chile flakes and is served just as it begins to ferment.

Recipe: Turnip Kimchi
6

Traditional Napa Cabbage

traditional napa cabbage kimchi
Michael Turek

"Fermented cabbage is the most common kind, but kimchi is actually a pickling technique, so you can make it with any vegetable," explains Marja Vongerichten. "Every Korean household has a different recipe: Some use pears, others, raw shrimp or oysters." This classic recipe includes Napa cabbage, ginger, and garlic.

Recipe: Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi

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7

Korean Seafood Pancakes

<p>These crispy seafood pancakes get a spicy tang from the kimchi that's mixed into the batter.  To add more heat to the dish, thinly slice a hot chile pepper and add it to the dipping sauce.</p>
<p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/korean-seafood-pancakes-recipe-fw0412" target="_blank"><b>Korean Seafood Pancakes</b></a></p>
© Anna Williams

These crispy seafood pancakes get a spicy tang from the kimchi that's mixed into the batter. To add more heat to the dish, thinly slice a hot chile pepper and add it to the dipping sauce.

Recipe: Korean Seafood Pancakes

8

Sparkling White Kimchi

<p>David Chang's quick "white" version of kimchi uses 7UP, an unexpected ingredient that adds lovely bubbliness to the cabbage. It can be served as a side dish like traditional red chile kimchi or with cold noodle soup.</p><p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="/recipefinder/sparkling-white-kimchi-recipe-fw0311" target="_blank"><b>Sparkling White Kimchi</b></a></p>
Con Poulos

David Chang's quick "white" version of kimchi uses 7UP, an unexpected ingredient that adds lovely bubbliness to the cabbage. It can be served as a side dish like traditional red chile kimchi or with cold noodle soup.

Recipe: Sparkling White Kimchi

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9

Triple Pork Burgers with Quick Cucumber Kimchi

<p>Bill Kim's thin, triple-stacked burgers, loaded with ginger, lemongrass, cilantro and basil, are inspired by a lemongrass pork sausage he often serves at his restaurant in Chicago, BellyQ.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/triple-pork-burgers-quick-cucumber-kimchi-recipe-fw0713%22 target="_blank"><strong>Triple Pork Burgers with Quick Cucumber Kimchi</strong></a></p>
John Kernick

Bill Kim's thin, triple-stacked burgers, loaded with ginger, lemongrass, cilantro and basil, are inspired by a lemongrass pork sausage he often serves at his restaurant in Chicago, BellyQ.

Recipe: Triple Pork Burgers with Quick Cucumber Kimchi

10

Short Rib Stew with Caramelized Kimchi

<p>This beef stew is hearty, soothing, and packed with flavor. Adding caramelized kimchi as a condiment makes it even more delicious.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/short-rib-stew-caramelized-kimchi-recipe-fw0213%22 target="_blank"><strong>Short Rib Stew with Caramelized Kimchi</strong></a></p>
© Line Klein

This beef stew is hearty, soothing, and packed with flavor. Adding caramelized kimchi as a condiment makes it even more delicious.

Recipe: Short Rib Stew with Caramelized Kimchi

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11

Pork-and-Kimchi Dumplings


<p>You can also use gyoza wrappers instead of making dumpling dough.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/pork-kimchi-dumplings-recipe-fw0510%22 target="_blank"><strong>Pork-and-Kimchi Dumplings</strong></a></p>
Frances Janisch

You can also use gyoza wrappers instead of making dumpling dough.

Recipe: Pork-and-Kimchi Dumplings

12

Xie Xie's Tofu Salad with Pickled Vegetables

<p>Tangy pickled cabbage and spicy carrot kimchi are the key to Angelo Sosa's tofu-topped green salad at New York City's Xie Xie.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="../../../recipefinder/xie-xies-tofu-salad-pickled-vegetables-recipe-fw0510" target="_blank"><strong>Xie Xie's Tofu Salad with Pickled Vegetables</strong></a></p>
Stephanie Foley

Tangy pickled cabbage and spicy carrot kimchi are the key to Angelo Sosa's tofu-topped green salad at New York City's Xie Xie.

Recipe: Xie Xie's Tofu Salad with Pickled Vegetables

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13

Korean Steak and Mushroom Tacos with Kimchi

<p>The spicy, pickled flavor and crunchy texture of kimchi, the Korean cousin to sauerkraut, is just right on these Korean steak-and-mushroom tacos. Serve with steamed brown rice and sautéed bok choy with chile-garlic sauce.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/korean-steak-mushroom-tacos-kimchi-recipe-ew0811%22 target="_blank"><strong>Korean Steak and Mushroom Tacos with Kimchi</strong></a></p>
Ken Burris

The spicy, pickled flavor and crunchy texture of kimchi, the Korean cousin to sauerkraut, is just right on these Korean steak-and-mushroom tacos. Serve with steamed brown rice and sautéed bok choy with chile-garlic sauce.

Recipe: Korean Steak and Mushroom Tacos with Kimchi

14

Pork-Kimchi Dumpling Pancakes

<p>San Francisco star chef Corey Lee ingeniously reinvents pan-fried dumplings by adding a batter that turns the dumplings into one round, crisp pancake.</p><p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/pork-kimchi-dumpling-pancakes-recipe-fw0114%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EPork-Kimchi Dumpling Pancakes</strong></a></p>
Con Poulos

San Francisco star chef Corey Lee ingeniously reinvents pan-fried dumplings by adding a batter that turns the dumplings into one round, crisp pancake.

Recipe: Pork-Kimchi Dumpling Pancakes

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