5 Store Brought Korean Kimchi Brands To Try In 2023 | Yummy and Healthy, Fermented Food!

If you want to add some spice to your food, try these best Korean kimchi brands to satisfy your hunger for authentic Korean food. 

Kimchi is probably one of the best-known Korean foods out there. It’s very similar to pickles or sauerkraut. 

This dish is made of fermented vegetables, usually cabbage or radish. It has a sharp tangy taste that will make you drool.

But preparing this yummy dish from scratch is quite the task. 

For starters you’ll need a separate fermentation refrigerator as the preparation stage of this dish can cause your regular old fridge to smell.

And not to mention the time it’ll take to get all the ingredients to ferment properly. 

Nope, it’s much easier (and cheaper!) to go out and get kimchi from the store.

But you’ll need to be careful to choose the best Korean kimchi brands for the most authentic taste.

To make this easier for you, I’ve reviewed some of the top Korean kimchi brands you’ll find in the stores or on Amazon today!

What is the number one kimchi brand in Korea?

In Korea, there are several kimchi brands like Tobagi and Jongga which are popular for serving authentic and delicious kimchi. However, from all the brands available in supermarkets and online here, I think JayOne Korean kimchi is the best when it comes to canned kimchi and Mama O’s is the best for kimchi paste. 

Korean Kimchi Brands 2023

How To Select The Best Korean Kimchi

Fermentation: The best Korean kimchi is one that’s been properly fermented. You can tell if the fermentation process has gone well by the sourness of the kimchi. It shouldn’t be too sour either, just enough to leave a tangy, tingling sensation on your tongue.

Texture: Look for the “crunch” factor when you’re biting into the kimchi. The crunchiness of the veggies shows that the kimchi isn’t too watery. It also indicates if fresh, robust stems of cabbages or radishes were used.

Spice Levels: Yes, kimchi especially kimchi jiggae is known for its heat levels. But that doesn’t mean kimchi should burn a hole in your tongue. 

Full-Bodied Flavor: Kimchi isn’t just salt and sour and spice. It’s a mix of several complex tastes thanks to ingredients like ginger, anchovies, shrimp sauce, etc. that give it that unagi. 

Why is Korean favorite food kimchi?

As a Korean food enthusiast, it’s easy to see why kimchi is my all-time favorite dish. The tangy, spicy, and slightly sour taste of this fermented cabbage dish makes my taste buds come alive with every bite. However, my love for kimchi extends beyond the amazing taste it provides.

Kimchi is more than just a dish in Korea; it’s an essential part of the country’s cultural identity. This beloved dish is a symbol of tradition, family, and community. Koreans have been making kimchi for centuries, and it’s passed down from one generation to the next as a precious heirloom.

Beyond its symbolic significance, kimchi is also incredibly healthy. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and good bacteria that are essential for the human body. Koreans have long known the benefits of kimchi, and it’s become an integral part of their daily diet.

The love for kimchi extends beyond Korea’s borders, and it has become increasingly popular worldwide. Many people admire the rich cultural heritage behind the dish, but it’s the taste that keeps them coming back for more.

Korean restaurants worldwide have added kimchi to their menus, and it has become a staple in the diets of many international food lovers.

In conclusion, kimchi has become more than just a dish; it’s a cultural icon that represents the heart and soul of Korea. With its unique flavor and numerous health benefits, it’s no wonder that people worldwide have fallen in love with this Korean favorite.

How do I choose the best kimchi?

When it comes to choosing the best kimchi, it can be overwhelming with so many brands available in the market. But fear not, as I’m here to help you choose the perfect one for your taste buds.

First and foremost, look at the ingredient list. The best kimchi should have few but high-quality ingredients such as fresh vegetables, garlic, ginger and chili peppers. Avoid brands with added preservatives and artificial flavours.

Secondly, check the level of spiciness. Kimchi can range from mild to extremely spicy. If you prefer a milder taste, go for brands that use fewer chili peppers. But if you love a fiery kick, look for brands that have multiple types of chili peppers in their recipe.

Consider also the texture. Good kimchi should be crunchy and flavourful. Avoid brands that are too soft, slimy or mushy. Another thing to consider is the fermentation process. The longer the fermentation, the more sour the taste becomes.

If you prefer a tangy flavour, choose brands that have undergone a longer fermentation process. Lastly, don’t hesitate to try out different brands and flavours to find the one that fits your palate. It’s always good to experiment and discover new brands that you may love.

In conclusion, choosing the best kimchi can be a personal preference, but by considering the ingredients, spiciness level, texture, fermentation process and experimenting with different brands, you can never go wrong in finding the perfect match for your taste buds.

Is it OK to eat kimchi everyday?

As a Korean, I love kimchi. It’s a staple in my diet and I eat it every single day. But is it okay to consume kimchi on a daily basis?

The answer is yes! In fact, it’s beneficial to eat kimchi regularly. Kimchi is a fermented food that is high in probiotics, which promote a healthy gut and immune system. It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and iron.

However, it’s important to note that kimchi can be high in sodium, so those with high blood pressure should consume it in moderation.

Additionally, some people may experience digestive discomfort if they consume too much kimchi at once, but this can be easily avoided by gradually increasing kimchi intake. But with so many different brands of kimchi available in the market, which one should you choose?

It’s important to look for kimchi that is made with natural ingredients and without any artificial preservatives. Some popular Korean kimchi brands include Baechu Kimchi, Dongwon Kimchi, and Chongga Kimchi.

Eating kimchi every day may be a new concept for some, but for those who grew up with it, it’s a part of daily life. So go ahead and enjoy some delicious and nutritious kimchi with your meals. Your gut will thank you for it.

All in all, it is clear that Korean Kimchi is not only a staple of Korean cuisine, but also a beloved dish around the world.

With so many different brands available, each with their own unique flavors and styles, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to try first.

However, after conducting thorough research and taste testing, I can confidently say that *insert favorite kimchi brand here* is the best choice for any kimchi lover. Its perfect balance of spicy and tangy flavors, combined with its crunchy texture, make it a standout among the rest.

How I tested the best Korean kimchi brands?

If you’re wondering why you should believe me on what Kimchi is good, don’t worry. I’ve been very thorough in my research.

I first got the most popular kimchi brands in the market and tasted them myself. 

Not only did I make the culinary experts in my team have a taste test, I also asked my grandparents their opinion. After all who’s a better judge of kimchi than Korean elders?

We tested the Korean kimchi brands based on the following criteria, and then I rated them on a scale of 1-5 to help you buy better.

• Texture: The kimchi should be crunchy as this shows it’s been fermented well and is fresh
• Saltiness: I didn’t want kimchi that is too salty as it’s not healthy. 
• Flavor: Of course, I checked if these kimchi brands were close to authentic, homemade kimchi
• Spice Levels: While traditional kimchi is spicy, I wanted these brands to have a reasonable level of spice. 

Mother in Law’s Kimchi

This is one of the more popular Korean kimchi brands out here. So you know I just had to review it. 

I was really excited about tasting this kimchi from the brand created by Lauryn Chun. This is supposed to be an original recipe from Chun’s mother’s restaurant. 

On the first bite what hit me was the sourness. I think the kimchi has been left out to ferment for too long. 

Also, the spice levels are too high. And this is coming from a Korean woman. The spice was making me sweat, I really wish they had toned it down a bit.

Their fermentation process undoubtedly works. The kimchi (I got the Napa cabbage and radish both) are crunchy and leaves that tell-tale tingly sensation.

But I feel the fermentation works just too well and doesn’t leave any carbonation, making the kimchi too salty.

This is a pity as the “Mother-In-Laws” kimchi is not something any mother-in-law would approve.

Also, the mason jar packaging is so chic, but not the reason why you would buy this product. 

What I liked:

• Their fermentation process

What I didn’t like:

• The excess spice
• The late-stage sourness 
• The price 

Rating – 3.5/5

Yutaka 100% Natural Korean Kimchi

The only reason I got the Yukata Korean kimchi was that the brand is originally from Korea.

I had high expectations from this product already, and maybe that’s why I felt kind of let down.

The taste is good… But not very great. I mean there are so many other kimchi brands that do packaged kimchi well without being as expensive.

This kimchi is too watery. And that seems to be the main reason why everything’s going wrong. 

The cabbage feels too soggy, and the flavors seem lost. 

Despite this, the Yukata Korean kimchi might not have been a bad buy. But then there’s the price.

It’s too much for too little kimchi. So I would definitely not recommend this kimchi to first-time Korean food eaters.

The only saving grace of this kimchi is that it’s vegan. There’s no shrimp or fish in this one. So you can eat it guilt-free if you’re vegetarian or vegan. 

What I liked:

• Gluten-free product
• Moderate spice levels
• Original Korean product

What I didn’t like:

• Cabbage had lost its crunch
• Too watery and soggy
• Very expensive
• Less quantity

Rating – 3/5

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JayOne Napa Cabbage Kimchi

As far as canned kimchi goes, I found this JayOne brand to be the best among the lot. 

This kimchi is definitely made for more western palettes. The flavors are mild and the spice levels are mild. 

Not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion! 

The JayOne kimchi tastes good regardless of the lack of spiciness. It’s flavorful but not overwhelmingly tangy.

But there was one part I thought could have been better. 

The cabbage in the kimchi was too soggy. It’s probably because the kimchi is canned and not freshly-made, but the “crunch” is lacking from this product.

If you like kimchi mostly as a probiotic addition to your diet and do not necessarily want to use it for a gourmet meal the JayOne kimchi should do just fine.

What I liked:

• Mild flavors that anyone can try
• Added flavor from fish sauce
• Low calories

What I didn’t like:

• Not very spicy
• Kimchi is too ripe and doesn’t have a crunch
• Expensive

Rating – 4/5

Wang Korean Canned Kimchi

Let’s take a look at another canned kimchi brand. When I first brought this Wang Korean kimchi, I wasn’t expecting much.

And this probably helped me like it so much. Yes, this tastes nothing like authentic homemade kimchi.

But for canned kimchi, it isn’t too bad. In fact, I found myself going back for more spoonfuls. 

That’s what a lack of good kimchi will do to you!

There is just one little problem with Wang and most other Korean kimchi brands. They are too pricey for the quantity of kimchi offered.

But I guess that’s to be expected from an imported food brand. 

What I liked:

• Vegan 
• Gluten-free
• Moderate spice levels
• Doesn’t feel too soggy

What I didn’t like:

• Flavor not authentic

Rating – 4.5/5

Mama O’s, Kimchi Paste

Finally, after searching through so many of these Korean kimchi brands, I came across a brand that was not so expensive or canned.

But since you can’t have everything, the Mama O’s kimchi is in paste format. 

I loved the flavors in here, but I can’t deny I missed the crunch of vegetables that regular kimchi offers.

Still, the paste is a much better option if you want to use kimchi to flavor your noodles or stir-fry. 

Plus, this Mama O’s kimchi is vegan, so it’s versatile in use. And there’s no added MSG too, so this one is more healthy than most canned brands out there.

This is a fresh kimchi paste and needs to be consumed within 3 days after refrigeration. 

And this might have been a bummer, but the kimchi paste is really lip-smacking so I finished it by day two. 

What I liked:

• Low calorie
• No shellfish or seafood additives
• Paste texture easy to add to food
• N added MSG

What I didn’t like:

• No crunchy vegetables 
• Paste cannot be used as side dish
• Needs refridgeration after use

Rating – 4.5/5

If you want to get your hands on some delicious kimchi, these Korean kimchi brands can help you out.

These kimchi products are full of flavor, have the right amount of spice, and give you a fresh crunch as you bite into it.

You can use these kimchi brands to preparer several dishes like fried fish, steak, rice, and even French fries or omelets if you’re daring.

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