Spicy Korean Radish Kimchi – Asian Recipes At Home (2024)

FAQs

How to use radish kimchi? ›

Properly stored, kkakdugi kimchi can be refrigerated for up to 3 months (its flavor will change over time, becoming more "ripe" and intense as it ages; peak flavor falls around the 14-day mark).

Traditional Korean kimchi- version one is made with napa cabbage and version two is made with daikon radish. Both are fermented along with Korean red pepper flake, green onions, apples, garlic, ginger, and onions.

If all you want is More Heat, just use finely minced habanero or scotch bonnet peppers. (Use appropriate practices for handling extremely spicy peppers.) After adding the peppers, stir well and let sit for a day or two to let the flavors disperse.

This fermented cabbage dish can be served as a side dish, over a bed of rice, folded into scrambled eggs, whirred into tomato sauce, or even just eaten as is. Here's what to know about kimchi, how to make kimchi, and some of our favorite recipes using it as a deeply flavorful ingredient.

Takeaways. Kimchi is a fermented vegetable dish that can add a spicy, tangy kick to your meals. Although it can be high in sodium, it also serves up the good-for-you probiotics, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help your body ward off illness and stay healthy.

Why does my Kimchi taste bitter/salty? Your Kimchi has probably not fermented enough. Freshly made Kimchi from Korea is known to be slightly bitter and more salty! But this will change overtime to a tangy and umami flavour as it ferments in the fridge.

Yes, kimchi can go "bad" in the usual ways, like if it is contaminated and grows mold. But "bad" can come down to a matter of preference. If you no longer enjoy the way your kimchi smells or tastes, toss it and buy more or make your own.

Originally created to preserve vegetables over the winter, kimchi has been eaten in Korea for generations. Kimchi is a super versatile dish that can be eaten on its own - seriously, straight out of the jar - as a condiment, or worked into almost any recipe.

Kimchi spoilage and over-fermentation

If kimchi over-ferments, it will have a very vinegary odor and taste. It is not pleasant to eat raw, so it is often used for soups and stews. If any fermentation gets soft and slimy, then it is a sign of spoilage.

How long does radish kimchi last in the fridge? ›

Radish kimchi, just like napa cabbage kimchi, can last quite a long time in the fridge and at the minimum 6 months. However, it all depends on whether it was properly salted, prepared and stored. If your radish kimchi smells sour or tastes sour and fizzy, that is totally normal.

Daikon radishes can grow up to 20 inches long and are mostly white, although some varieties like the Korean mu have light green coloring near their leaves. Red radishes tend to be spicier, max out at about two inches in diameter, and are more commonly consumed in Western cuisines.

Here are some suggestions: Use fresh ingredients: Using fresh, high-quality ingredients can make a big difference in the taste of your kimchi. Make sure your cabbage and other vegetables are fresh and ripe, and use high-quality Korean chili flakes (gochugaru) and fish sauce.

Many kimchi recipes require special ingredients, but I like to stick to things that are available at most local supermarket. If you have a good Asian grocery store nearby, by all means go get some gochugaru (Korean ground chili), but a mix of regular chili flakes and paprika will work just fine.

You can enhance kimchi with a bunch of seasonings and add-ins, traditional or otherwise. These give a distinct flavor to the final product. Love lots of deep, umami, flavor? Try adding salted shrimp, oysters, or mushrooms.

It's an essential ingredient for making kimchi, adds a fresh taste to stew, and is also great in bibimbap (a Korean mixed rice dish). When I make this Korean stir-fried radish, I always use it for bibimbap. Because of that, I want this banchan (side dish) to be simple in taste and preparation.

It's great straight out of the jar for a little snack any time. It's fun to fish out a single piece with a fork whenever the craving hits, but you can also pull a whole bunch of it out of the liquid and arrange it in a bowl and serve it with toothpicks alongside.

In South Korea, pickled yellow radish slices are served when eating jajangmyeon, a black noodle dish. The round cylinder-shaped pickled radish is cut in half lengthwise and served thinly sliced. Simply put, it is half-moon shaped. Sprinkle with vinegar to enhance the sour taste.

Unlike Napa cabbage kimchi, you cannot eat this before it is fermented because the radish will be too bitter. However, once it is fermented, the radish turns into a great flavorful kimchi. The bite-sized pieces are just perfect for eating and it matches with many other kinds of Korean food.