Kimchi is the most popular food in Korea. It's also a huge source of national pride for Koreans. Kimchi (or Gimchi or Kimchee) comes in many forms, it is a fermented vegetable. It is usually fermented in a spicy red chili sauce, but can also be in a white sauce which is not spicy. It is believed by some doctors that the red sauce is the reason why Korea has one of the highest stomach cancer rates in the world. The white sauce is said to be healthier by these doctors. Koreans, however love their red kimchi and I don't think they would give it up even if it was proven to cause cancer beyond any doubt!
The most common form of Kimchi and my favorite food in Korea is the cabbage kind. Baechu (chinese cabbage) Kimchi is made with cabbage and fermented in a spicy red sauce for several days with spices and other ingredients that vary by recipe. This is the most common type of Kimchi found in Korea, but I have also found the cucumber and radish Kimchis to be delicious. Kimchi is also used to make a very popular soup called Kimchi Jjigae (Pronounced Kim chee / chee gay) The process and recipe for making Kimchi is passed down in families and is a well kept secret for some. The women in families take their Kimchi making very seriously. I received a gift of Kimchi from a friend of mine for christmas. She is a foregin teacher from America that I work with, her name is Liz, here is a link to a video she made of her making my Kimchi present. She made it with a Korean family that she attends church with,here is the link
Liz Kimchi Video on YouTube
Many Koreans believe Kimchi is very healthy and some even believe it will prevent disease, I just think it is delicious and my favorite food in Korea.
