Free Essay On Kimchi

Kimchi is the integral part of Koreans’ food culture. Without Kimchi, a meal in Korea is considered imperfect. Actually, fermented foods have a pivotal role in the Korean diet. Kimchi is one such dish that is not only full of healthy vegetables but also contains fermented fish. Moreover, the red color of Kimchi, given to the dish by leaf mustard, safflower and cockscomb earlier and now by red chili, is symbolic of the national sentiment of Korea. The color red is known to drive away evil spirits in Korean traditions and, therefore, the color red carries national significance.
A national event is also held in order to celebrate the process of making Kimchi. Gimjang is the name of the event during which Kimchi is prepared by all households for “em dong(the coldest months of winter)” (Gimjang). Therefore, Kimchi also imbues a sense of community by bringing everyone together to the event of an em dong.By utilizing myriad forms of vegetables in Kimchi, the Koreans ensure that they have sufficient intake of Vitamin C even during winters, without which a healthy life would be impossible. It is also difficult to grow fresh vegetables during winters that last for a long time. It is because of this reason that vegetables like cabbage, radish, onions, ginger, garlic, cucumber and other spices are some of the ingredients of Kimchi. Moreover, vegetables are popular amongst the Koreans because agriculture was one of the main livelihoods of the ancient Koreans.
Kimchi represents such an essential part of Korean culture that a museum has been dedicated to it in the capital of Korea, Seoul.Today, Kimchi is truly representative of Korean culture and is now eagerly consumed throughout the world.

Work Cited

“Gimjang.” Visitkorea.or.kr. Korea Tourism Organization, n.d. Web. 3 March 2015.