Craving Something Spicy, Healthy & Soul-Warming?
Have you ever opened a jar of store-bought kimchi and thought, “Could this taste fresher or be better for me?” You’re not alone.
Homemade napa cabbage kimchi (Tongbaechu-kimchi) isn’t just a trendy food—it’s a centuries-old Korean tradition, a natural probiotic marvel, and a delicious way to improve your health.
In This Post, You’ll Learn:
- Why homemade kimchi beats store-bought every time
- The health benefits of kimchi you need to know
- What tools and ingredients you’ll need (and where to get them)
- A link to my favorite step-by-step YouTube recipe (it’s bulletproof for beginners!)
Why Make Your Own Kimchi?
While store-bought kimchi is easy to find, homemade kimchi has unbeatable advantages:
- No added preservatives or sugars
- Live probiotics (store-bought kimchi is often pasteurized)
- Full control over ingredients, spice level, and texture
- More affordable – one batch makes plenty and keeps for months
- Deeply satisfying – fermentation is a fun and creative process
Health Benefits of Kimchi
Kimchi is more than a delicious side dish; It’s a nutritional powerhouse with serious wellness benefits:
Rich in Probiotics
Homemade napa cabbage kimchi can develop 100–200+ strains of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides — strains known for supporting gut health, digestion, and immunity.
Packed with Vitamins & Minerals
Kimchi is a solid source of vitamins A, B, C, iron, and calcium — making it both energizing and nourishing.
Antioxidant Properties
Ingredients like garlic, ginger, and gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) are rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation and protect cells.
Low in Calories
Flavorful yet light, kimchi adds spice and crunch without loading your meals with calories.
May Boost Immunity
A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, and the probiotics in kimchi help maintain that balance.
What You Need to Get Started
I’ve curated a Kimchi Essentials Kit on Kit.co to help you gather the tools I use and trust! Click here to view the Kit
Ingredients Checklist (See recipe for measurements)
Cabbage Prep:
- Napa cabbage
- Kosher salt
Porridge Base:
- Water
- Sweet rice flour (glutinous)
- Turbinado sugar (or your preferred sugar)
Vegetables:
- Korean radish
- Carrots
- Green onions (scallions)
- Asian chives (buchu), optional
- Water dropwort (minari), optional
Seasonings:
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Onion
- Fish sauce
- Fermented salted shrimp (saeujeot)
- Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
I’ve personally chosen each linked ingredient to make things easier for you. If you buy something through my links, I may receive a small affiliate commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Not Sure Where to Start?
Let me introduce you to my favorite kimchi tutorial by Maangchi, a legendary Korean cook! Her step-by-step video walks you through every detail, and her website includes a printable version.
Watch Maangchi’s Kimchi Recipe Here.
Are You Ready to Make Real Traditional Kimchi ?
- Watch and Bookmark the video
- Print the recipe and prep your ingredients
- Shop your essentials from your local Korean store or HMart
Don’t have a Korean grocery store nearby?
No problem! Many ingredients can be found online & delivered to your door. These are my favorite:
- Whole Foods
- Instacart (Get up to $40 off your first two orders! This is my personal referral link. When you use it, you get savings, and I get a small credit as a thank you!)
- Freshdirect (If you sign up through this referral link, you’ll get $50 off your first order, and I’ll earn a credit too—all at no extra cost to you)
Click here to grab the tools and ingredients I use.
Have you made kimchi before? Drop your experience in the comments or tag me with your creation. I would love to see your delicious creation!
