Trying the Kimchi Diet? These 7 Dishes Pack the Flavor and Benefits

Research suggests there are up to 7,000 Korean restaurants in the US, so it’s safe to say that Korean food is popular in the country. While most will head to these eateries for dishes like barbecue meats, corn dogs, and fried chicken, kimchi, a fermented vegetable dish, is also a popular option with Americans and diners all over the world. 

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In fact, according to The Brainy Insights, in 2023, the global kimchi market was valued at around $4.8 billion. By 2033, it’s expected to grow exponentially, to a value of around $8.7 billion.

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The market research firm cites kimchi’s health benefits as one of its biggest appeals, but also its signature taste. “After tasting kimchi for the first time, tourists frequently become addicted to it and search for it when they return home, increasing demand in local markets,” notes The Brainy Insights.

If you can’t get enough of kimchi’s tangy, sour flavor, or if you want to try it for the first time, sure you can head to one of the many Korean restaurants in the US—but it’s also fun to make it from scratch, too. Below, we’ve listed some of our favorite ways to serve the iconic Korean dish. But first, here’s a little bit more about kimchi and its unique health benefits.

What is kimchi?

Kimchi is a Korean staple that is renowned for its distinctive bold, tangy, and spicy flavors.

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It’s usually made with fermented napa cabbage and Korean radishes, as well as a seasoning paste made with ingredients like ginger, chili powder, garlic, and fermented shrimp or fish sauce. It can be enjoyed on its own or served with everything from bibimbap to barbecue.

Because it’s made with seafood, kimchi isn’t naturally vegan, but there are many ways to make it plant-based. This recipe from The Korean Vegan, for example, uses homemade vegan fish sauce, which is made with a combination of ingredients like soy sauce, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, Korean apple pear, and dried kelp.

“The very first thing I knew I needed to veganize when I adopted a plant-based diet and started The Korean Vegan was, of course, my own homemade kimchi recipe,” writes recipe developer Joanne Lee Molinaro. “It is the most iconic food in Korean cuisine.”

Molinaro also uses napa cabbage, sea salt, gochugaru, plum syrup, and glutinous rice flour to make her plant-based kimchi paste, which she claims is “easy, simple, authentic, and delicious.”

Is kimchi good for you?

Kimchi contains many important nutrients, including fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, and iron. But because it is fermented, kimchi also contains probiotics, which are linked with many health benefits.

The fermentation process encourages the growth of lactobacillus, for example, which may help to support digestion, reduce gut inflammation, and support microbial diversity, which is essential for a good balance of healthy gut bacteria. Kimchi is also associated with improved immune health, a reduced risk of heart disease, and a reduction in body fat, too.

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In fact, one recent study published in the Journal of Functional Foods suggested that kimchi can have significant weight-loss benefits. The study divided 90 participants into three separate groups, one had a placebo, another had fermented kimchi, and the final group had starter-fermented kimchi. Both of the groups who were given kimchi lost body fat, while those who took the placebo gained fat.

Speaking on the study’s findings, Hae-Choon Chang, the director of the World Institute of Kimchi, told the Mirror that the research would help to “[lay] the foundation for the growth of kimchi as a health food well recognized around the world.”

The best vegan recipes with kimchi

Nava Atlas

1 Vegan Korean BBQ Bowls With Kimchi

Korean barbecue is usually made with meat, but this tasty vegan recipe from the Plant-Powered Protein cookbook will show you how to get all the same juicy texture with vegan crumbles instead. The savory, umami, smoky flavors go perfectly with a serving of sriracha and tangy kimchi.
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Alexa Gray

2 Vegan Rainbow Spring Rolls

Made with a mix of healthy plant-based ingredients like almond butter, vegan kimchi, and crunchy vegetables, these fresh spring rolls are loaded with nutrients and plenty of delicious flavor. They’re especially delicious when served with nama shoyu, a Japanese-style raw soy sauce.
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3 Vegan Korean Bulgogi Mushrooms

Again, bulgogi is traditionally a pretty meaty dish. It’s usually made with beef, but you can achieve a delicious taste and texture with mushrooms, too. From Vegan Asian: A Cookbook, this recipe from Jeeca Uy will show you how to make a flavor-packed, plant-based version of the Korean classic, served with plenty of tangy kimchi on the side, of course.
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The Foodie Takes Flight

4 Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice

This easy, vegan fried rice dish from The Foodie Takes Flight is loaded with delicious flavor, thanks to the combination of kimchi, ssamjang sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. For extra texture, you can also add vegan sausages, tofu, or king oyster mushrooms to the mix, too.
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Desiree Nielsen

5 Spicy Kimchi Tacos With Smashed Chickpea

Celebrate Mexican and Korean cuisine by indulging in these deliciously spicy kimchi and chickpea tacos from Desiree Nielsen, RD. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and they’re healthy, too. “As a registered dietitian specializing in gut health, I love to use kimchi in recipes for added nutrition and these vegan tacos are no exception,” Nielsen writes.
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Exploring Vegan

6 Vegan Kimchi Ramen

Japanese cuisine and Korean flavors pair beautifully in this fusion recipe from Exploring Vegan. The ramen is hearty, extra spicy, and loaded with goodness, making it the perfect winter weeknight warmer. “I could eat this kimchi ramen at least once a week,” says recipe developer Kylie Perrotti. “It’s so easy to make, and you can modify it endlessly depending on what you have in your refrigerator or pantry.”
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The Korean Vegan

7 Vegan Kimchi Jjigae

Use Molinaro’s vegan kimchi recipe to make this delicious jjigae (a type of kimchi-based hearty Korean stew), and you absolutely won’t regret it. Loaded with flavor-packed and nutritious ingredients, including shiitake mushrooms, gochugaru, gochujang, and tofu, it’s the perfect comfort food, especially for chilly winter nights.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and writer based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.