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Homemade Korean Cabbage Kimchi

A flavorful and crunchy Korean staple made from napa cabbage, spices, and a touch of sweetness, perfect as a side dish or condiment.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Condiment, Side Dish
Cuisine: Korean
Calories: 25
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cabbage Brine
  • 1 medium napa cabbage
  • 1/4 cup sea salt
  • 4 cups water
For the Kimchi Paste
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce Ensure non-pork source for Halal
  • 2 tablespoons Korean red chili pepper flakes (gochugaru) Adjust to preferred spice level
For Mixing
  • 1 large carrot, julienned
  • 2 stalks green onions, chopped

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cut the napa cabbage into quarters and rinse it under cold water.
  2. Combine water and sea salt in a large bowl, dissolving the salt completely.
  3. Submerge the cabbage in the brine and let it soak for about 2 hours, turning occasionally.
Make the Kimchi Paste
  1. In a separate bowl, mix grated ginger, minced garlic, sugar, fish sauce, and gochugaru to create a thick paste.
  2. Adjust the amount of gochugaru to your preferred spice level!
Combine Ingredients
  1. After soaking, rinse the cabbage thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess salt.
  2. Drain it well and place it in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add the julienned carrot and chopped green onions.
Mix with Kimchi Paste
  1. Using your hands (wearing gloves to protect from the chili), massage the kimchi paste into the cabbage mixture until everything is evenly coated.
Ferment
  1. Pack the mixture tightly into a clean glass jar, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion.
  2. Seal the jar and let it ferment at room temperature for 1-2 days, then transfer it to the refrigerator to continue developing flavor.

Notes

For storage, keep kimchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks. The flavors will deepen over time. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for longer storage.