10 Best Kimchi Brands To Try in 2024
While making kimchi yourself results in a delicious product, buying it at the store is much more convenient — but which is the best kimchi brand on the market?
Kimchi is a traditional Korean pickle made from fermenting vegetables. It has the perfect balance of sour, spicy and salty flavor with a crunchy texture that enhances a variety of dishes, including traditional Korean dishes and fusion recipes.
When searching for the best kimchi at the store, it’s the fermentation process used by each brand, along with the type and quality of ingredients, that will differentiate the best kimchi from the somewhat mediocre options. Too little fermentation will make the kimchi taste bland, while too much can make it mushy and unpalatable.
With so many factors affecting the quality of store-bought kimchi, we've done the work to make finding the perfect kimchi easy for you! From classic recipes to vegan options, super spicy versions and kimchis made with vegetables other than cabbage, this round-up of the best kimchi brands in the U.S. is guaranteed to have the perfect product for your needs and taste preferences.
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The 10 Best Store-Bought Kimchis
1. Mama O’s
Napa cabbage kimchi, or baechu-kimchi as it is known in Korean, is an especially popular type of kimchi. One of the best kimchi brands selling this variety is Mama O’s. This kimchi's primary ingredient is napa cabbage and the flavor of the anchovy fish paste is perfectly balanced by a sweetness imparted by cane sugar.
Some reviews mention that the texture could do with a bit more crunch, but the slices of cabbage are thick and have a satisfying bite. Mama O's kimchi pairs fabulously with a variety of recipes, including hot dishes like Korean ramen.
Proudly family-owned, this contender for best kimchi on our list can be found at Central Market and national chains, such as Whole Foods. Best of all, there are many varieties along with the classic kimchi. These include a vegan version without fish, a daikon variety and super spicy kimchi for those looking for an added kick.
Interestingly, Mama O’s also sells kimchi hot sauce, kimchi paste and dried kimchi seasoning, making this brand a top pick for lovers of kimchi who want to try the ingredient in different applications.
2. Tobagi
A clear favorite and arguably the best store-bought kimchi is Tobagi. This brand’s offering perfectly balances sourness and spiciness while retaining the crunchiness essential to this ingredient.
This best kimchi contender has a strong fishy flavor imparted by the use of shrimp and anchovy paste, with a sweet overtone thanks to the addition of apple and pear. The spice burn is also considered perfect by many, lingering on your tongue for a few seconds without overwhelming your taste buds.
Tobagi offers many different kimchi variations, including radish-based kimchi and classic napa cabbage kimchi. Tobagi does have a high sodium content due to the MSG used in the recipe, which may be a drawback for some, but this can be said for most kimchi brands.
3. Jongga
One of the best kimchi brands in Korea that is now available in the U.S. is Jongga. This import claims to be preservative-free, enhancing the fermentation process. A healthy dose of garlic is balanced out by the fish paste in the recipe as well, adding depth to the flavor profile.
If you want to try this Korean brand, Jongga kimchi is widely available in chains, such as Walmart and 99 Ranch Market. As with other brands of kimchi on this list, Jongga sells classic cabbage kimchi in original and vegan (without fish ingredients), plus other variations like white kimchi and radish kimchi. Jongga also offers both refrigerated and shelf-stable varieties.
4. Cosmos Food Company
LA-based Cosmos Food Company produces the best kimchi for those who prefer the condiment with a softer bite. The texture of the cabbage tends to be less crunchy than some other brands, and the overall flavor palate is distinctly sour. Notably, this is a great choice for use in dishes like Korean tofu soup (soondubu jjigae) where the kimchi will soften a little anyway.
Cosmos’ kimchi is also MSG-free and comes in many varieties, including classic or vegan cabbage as well as radish and cucumber versions. The cabbage kimchi can be purchased extra hot for those who like a spicy condiment. A kimchi sauce is even available for those who want to add a kimchi taste to their food without the addition of whole pickled vegetables.
5. Mother-In-Law’s
Another famous napa cabbage kimchi brand is Mother-In-Law's. Started as a small batch producer, you can now purchase this brand at quite a few stores, including Sprouts and Whole Foods.
This kimchi has a spicy bite with a good amount of sourness. It notably goes very well as a side dish to accompany LA galbi (marinated Korean grilled beef short ribs) or with any other Korean BBQ meat dish, with the spicy sour taste offering freshness to the heavy meat.
Mother-In-Law’s Everday Kimchi comes in three varieties: regular cabbage, vegan cabbage with seaweed instead of fish and spicy cabbage. Reserve Kimchi, the brand’s signature kimchi, is also on offer with house cabbage, vegan cabbage and vegan daikon varieties.
6. King’s
This kimchi has one rather unusual ingredient — paprika, making it a unique option on the kimchi market. If you go for the mild variety, the spice and sourness levels are surprisingly not too intense. This makes it one of the best kimchis for those who want a bit of a hit but nothing significantly overpowering. You can also get a spicy variety if you want a bit more heat.
King’s napa cabbage kimchi is also vegan, with no fish ingredients included, and is made from a family recipe. You can conveniently find King’s at stores like Walmart, Safeway and Whole Foods.
7. Cleveland Kitchen
Another of the best kimchi brands, Cleveland Kitchen makes three varieties: classic kimchi, mild kimchi and spicy kimchi. All are vegan and made with cabbage, gochugaru red pepper and garlic, among other classic kimchi ingredients. This brand also adds apple, imparting an added sweet and sour flavor profile.
The chopped cabbage gives this brand a sauerkraut-type feel, making it a unique topping for hot dogs and burgers as well as being good for classic recipes with kimchi.
8. Sunja’s
Sunja's is another of the best kimchi brands which creates a vegan version with no fish sauce. Additionally, Sunja’s uses green cabbage in the primary recipe rather than the more widely used napa cabbage, adding more of a crunch to the kimchi.
This brand of kimchi offers a spicy variation and a white kimchi. If you only purchase kimchi with napa cabbage, you can still enjoy Sunja’s as they have added a napa cabbage variety to the green cabbage offerings. Cucumber kimchi is also available, giving you many varieties to try and discover your favorite.
9. Bing Gré
Bing Gré is a napa cabbage kimchi that is widely available on the East Coast. It is pickled with salt and anchovy sauce and also features red pepper powder, onion, garlic and scallion. The addition of ginger also adds a unique flavor profile that's well worth trying. While its saltiness is tempered with some sugar, some say this brand is quite salty, so keep this in mind if adding it to recipes that are already high in salt.
Although this kimchi has some mixed reviews, the overall consensus is that it has a satisfying bite that more than fulfills your kimchi cravings. Bing Gré Kimchee is available in certain stores across the U.S. but is predominantly sold out of markets in Queens, NYC. So, if you are in the area, you know what to look for.
10. Seoul Kimchi
Manufactured by Lucky Foods, this front-runner for the best kimchi brand uses a napa cabbage-based family recipe and is proudly non-GMO and keto-friendly. Packaged in either a BPA-free bag or a glass jar, the original version of Seoul Kimchi is on the milder side than some on this list but still very flavorsome and features two types of seafood: shrimp and anchovy.
If you want a bit more heat, there is a spicy version. A vegan recipe is also on offer in original and spicy (just without the anchovy and shrimp) and a radish version can be purchased, offering something for almost everyone.
What Brand Has Low-Sodium Kimchi?
The best kimchi is traditionally prepared in a salt brine, which leads to a high sodium content. MSG, a popular flavor enhancer used in many kimchi recipes, can also increase sodium levels.
However, salt in kimchi isn’t only for taste. Experts recommend that if you make your kimchi with less salt, be aware of the dangers associated with it. Salt is the main ingredient for kimchi's fermentation and prevents harmful bacteria from growing. Low salt can lead to kimchi not being safe for consumption.
If you have been advised a low-sodium diet but are a kimchi lover, you can find some healthy, low-salt kimchi brands. Mama O’s and Mother-In-Law’s are some of the best kimchi brands with a lower sodium content, although they still have between 140 and 150 mg of sodium per serving. Brands like Cosmos Food Company and King's also make kimchi without MSG if that is a concern.
If you cannot procure a low-salt brand of kimchi, you could try simply using it as a condiment in small portions. Eating kimchi with other less salty foods can also help lower your overall sodium consumption.
Learn To Cook With Kimchi
Besides being delicious, kimchi is dense in nutrients and contains probiotics that support your digestive system. It can improve immunity, reduce inflammation, improve gut health and much more. Due to its delicious taste and many health benefits, learning how to incorporate kimchi into your cooking is an excellent idea.
If you are looking for ways to prepare kimchi at home or learn new recipes using the best store-bought kimchi, consider attending some cooking classes near you. A professional chef will offer top tips on how to pair kimchi with other foods and incorporate it into dishes. You could even opt for some online cooking classes, allowing you to learn at your convenience from your own kitchen.
Choosing the best kimchi that appeals to your palate can prove to be a tricky affair, especially with so many kimchi brands available. Hopefully, this list of the top 10 store-bought kimchi brands has helped you discover the one that's right for you. From classic napa cabbage varieties to vegan options and those that use radish, cucumber and other primary ingredients, there's a world of kimchi options out there just waiting to be tasted!
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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