kimchi

Kimjang: How Korea Makes a Whole Winter of Kimchi in One Day

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People sitting together around a large mat spreading red seasoning onto salted napa cabbage during kimjang in Korea

Kimjang is the Korean tradition of making a whole winter’s supply of kimchi in one go, usually in late November or early December. For generations, it was one of the biggest events in a Korean household’s year. Relatives gathered, neighbors helped each other, and dozens or even hundreds of heads of napa cabbage were salted, … Read more

Banchan: Why Korean Meals Come With So Many Side Dishes

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Several small dishes of vegetables and kimchi arranged on a table

You sit down at a Korean restaurant, order one dish, and within two minutes the table is covered in small plates you did not ask for. Six of them. Sometimes twelve. Nobody explains what they are. These are banchan, and the first thing worth knowing is that they are free, refillable, and not a starter … Read more