Perfect Complements: Top 8 Side Dishes for Kimchi

If you’re a fan of healthy food, then you probably know what kimchi is.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented vegetable dish that is delicious for the digestive system.

There are many different kinds of kimchi, but the most popular ones are baechu (napa cabbage) and ggakdugi (radish kimchi).

Kimchi is often considered a national dish in Korea.

The taste and flavor of kimchi vary depending on where you eat it, who cooked it, and what kind of kimchi it is.

For example, the taste of radish kimchi is completely different from that of cabbage kimchi.

Radish kimchi has a crunchy texture, while cabbage kimchi tastes sour.

Despite their differences, both kinds are delicious.

Not only Koreans but people living in other countries enjoy kimchi as well.

The Japanese and the Chinese serve kimchi with various side dishes such as “kimbap” (Korean sushi), dried squid, steaming hot rice, etc.

There are many different ways to eat kimchi, and it is a popular side dish among Koreans.

In this article, we will recommend eight delicious side dishes to eat with kimchi.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Kimchi?

Since kimchi is such an integral part of Korean cuisine, it can make a great dish to accompany other dishes.

There are limitless ways to serve and eat kimchi, and often these dishes provide enough flavor to stand on their own as well.

Here we will talk about five different side dishes that go perfectly with kimchi.

In Korea, Kimchi will be served with every meal.

But in many other parts of the world, kimchi can sometimes be a little foreign-looking to people who are not used to it.

In America, it is uncommon for people to eat large dishes of vegetables with their meals.

However, different types of kimchi serve as excellent side dishes with almost anything.

The most common way to eat kimchi is simply by itself.

However, when you make kimchi at home, you can go beyond that and eat it with virtually anything.

Although the flavors of kimchi are strong, they complement many items.

Anything from rice to noodles will taste great when accompanied by kimchi.

What to Serve with Kimchi? 8 BEST Side Dishes

So here we will talk about eight different dishes that go great with kimchi.

First, as a base for our kimchi, we will use white rice, and then we’ll add some other side dishes that typically go well with kimchi.

1 – Ultimate Steamed Egg

The more traditional way to eat kimchi is to steam it.

This allows the dish more of a chance to mature and get more of its signature taste while at the same time cooking out some of the more intense flavors that you don’t want in your meal.

To make this dish simply, boil water and add some salt and some butter to the water.

Then crack an egg into a bowl and gently pour it into your pot of boiling water so that the whites don’t become too firm.

Steam until they reach your desired level of doneness, and then plate them with rice and kimchi for a spicy and savory combination.

2 – Breaded Pork Chops

Pork chops are a great main dish for dinner, but you can also cut them up and fry them as a side dish.

This is a meal that will be perfect for your family dinner, especially if they are big fans of pork chops.

The pork chops are first dipped in an egg white mixture.

Then they are coated with breadcrumbs for a nice crispy exterior.

Pan fry them on each side until they are golden brown, and then serve them up with rice.

This is a quick way to make some delicious Korean dishes at home.

3 – Tuna Patties and Kimchi

Tuna patties are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be used as an appetizer or main course.

They’re also very affordable so that they can be made on a tight budget.

One of the best things about making tuna patties is adding some kimchi to them.

The kimchi adds some spice to the fish, which can otherwise be bland.

A perfect way to make your tuna patties is by first making a basic pound cake batter.

Then, mix in some Kimchi and form it into patties.

Pan-fry the tuna patties until they are golden brown, and then enjoy them with rice or on their own.

4 – Bulgogi Burger

Bulgogi is a very well-known Korean dish that has been around for decades.

It’s one of the most traditional dishes in Korea, which you can find in many restaurants and homes.

Even though the traditional way to eat Bulgogi is with rice, we can also use it topping burger.

To make Bulgogi burgers, you will want to cook some beef slices on the stovetop in a pan or wok that has been preheated on high heat.

Then add in some garlic, scallions, and sesame oil – which gives it a distinct flavor.

After that, you can add some kimchi as toppings on top of the burger for a spicy kick.

5 – Grilled Steak

Another great steak dish is to top it with kimchi as a garnish.

Steak can be served as an appetizer or as a main course.

It can be paired with many side dishes, but I will recommend some kimchi for this dish.

You will need a skirt steak, marinade of your choice, scallions, and sesame oil to make this dish.

Then season the meat with salt & pepper to taste.

Finally, grill or pan-fry it until done, and then serve it topped with chopped kimchi.

6 – Sashimi and Kimchi

Sashimi is a raw fish dish that is not only delicious, but it’s also very healthy.

This can be found in many restaurants and is also easy to make at home.

This dish goes great with rice and kimchi.

It has a vibrant taste that will freshen up your meal.

Slice the fish with a sharp knife into small bite-sized pieces to prepare sashimi, and plate it.

7 – Bibimbap

Bibimbap is also another traditional Korean dish that has been around for many years.

This dish is made of rice topped with kimchi and other ingredients.

Like the previous dishes, this is also served in many restaurants and can easily be prepared at home.

This dish will give you a nice balance of spicy and savory flavors that you’ll love.

To make Bibimbap fill a rice bowl with steamed white rice.

Then mix some of your favorite fried meat such as beef slices, pork, or Bulgogi in a bowl with sesame oil and vegetables such as kimchi.

Mix them all up until they are well combined.

This is a very healthy dish that will fill you up without feeling full.

8 – Korean Fried Chicken

Korean fried chicken is a dish loved by many people.

It’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making it hard to stop eating.

Many restaurants have this meal as their main menu item, but it’s also easy to prepare at home.

To make Korean-style chicken wings, dip the chicken wings in an egg and flour batter.

Then fry them until golden brown and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.

Conclusion

Kimchi goes great with many Korean dishes.

It brings out the flavor and adds some spice to the meat or vegetables consumed.

Not only is kimchi delicious, but it’s also good for you due to the health benefits it offers.

So if you’re looking for a condiment that will liven up your next meal, I would recommend serving it with some of these delicious side dishes.

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