Kimchi

Although kimchi is Korea’s signature dish, it can also be found almost everywhere in the world but the most authentic varieties are surely still in Korea. Kimchi is a must in a Korean meal, so much so that no restaurant in Korea will charge extra for it.

There are over 200 variations of kimchi today, with both regional and seasonal variations determining which ingredients will be used. The dish is made by mixing together Korean cabbage, radish, pumpkin, onion, and other vegetables with chili powder, crushed garlic, and salted seafood, which is then left to ferment. The measure of well-made kimchi is the crispness of the cabbage leaves and its taste.