Considering the natural and climatic features, Korean ancestors devised a method to pickle vegetables harvested in autumn so as to eat them for a long time from winter to next spring. It was the kimchi-making method.
In November every year, every family makes kimchi. People call the late autumn just before winter the kimchi-making season.
Researcher Kim Kyong Il at the Folklore Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences says:
"Korean ancestors, resourceful and diligent, made fermented foods suited to their appetite and tastes and widely used them for diet from ancient times. While using pickled vegetables for diet, they discovered the fermentation and introduced it purposefully to make fermented food--kimchi.
According to 'Haedongjukji' and 'Tongguksesigi', the historic documents of the feudal Joson dynasty, every family makes kimchi by admixing radish and bok choy with ginger, shallot, garlic, pulverized red pepper and others before storing them under the ground, and it is a great event of the family during a year."
The kimchi-making custom has been handed down since the ancient times.
Neighbours, relatives or workmates help each other in making kimchi in late autumn, pickling, washing and mixing bok choy with spicy seasonings. They also send kimchi or pungent ingredients they just made to neighbours or relatives or take them to workplace to share them with workmates. They also get others' advice or boast, sharing delicious kimchi with pleasure. It has become a custom.
A food-making process is done commonly, simultaneously and collectively, deepening harmony and friendship between the people. This is the kimchi-making custom of the Korean nation.
Amid the growing world interest in the Korean kimchi, the traditional kimchi-making custom of the Korean people has been registered as a world intangible cultural heritage in 2015.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea opened with splendour in Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, on February
February 20, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea opened with splendour in Pyongyang, the capital of the revolution, on February
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered an opening address at the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. He said the
February 20, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un delivered an opening address at the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. He said the
One day in June 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory. He looked round different places of
February 19, 2026
One day in June 2018, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Sinuiju Cosmetics Factory. He looked round different places of
The congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China on a visit to the homeland on the occasion of the Ninth
February 19, 2026
The congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China on a visit to the homeland on the occasion of the Ninth
Active efforts are made in all parts of the country to increase the proportion of the farm work done by machines. Cities and
February 19, 2026
Active efforts are made in all parts of the country to increase the proportion of the farm work done by machines. Cities and
Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il. Officials and
February 19, 2026
Koreans in China held celebrations on the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of the great leader Kim Jong Il. Officials and
The 3rd People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 came to a close. Its closing ceremony was held at the East Pyongyang
February 19, 2026
The 3rd People's Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 came to a close. Its closing ceremony was held at the East Pyongyang
A new comprehensive fixtures assembly process has been established in Jagang Province. The construction of the modern base capable
February 19, 2026
A new comprehensive fixtures assembly process has been established in Jagang Province. The construction of the modern base capable
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by its Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang by
February 19, 2026
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by its Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang by
The project for remodelling the Hyesan Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory to be conducive to promoting the people's health has
February 19, 2026
The project for remodelling the Hyesan Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory to be conducive to promoting the people's health has
A ceremony of donating 600-millimeterlarge-caliber multiple rocket launchers to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea
February 19, 2026
A ceremony of donating 600-millimeterlarge-caliber multiple rocket launchers to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea
A groundbreaking ceremony for the fifth-stage project in the Hwasong area took place with splendour on February 18. The respected
February 19, 2026
A groundbreaking ceremony for the fifth-stage project in the Hwasong area took place with splendour on February 18. The respected
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
February 19, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
February 19, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received messages of greetings from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
February 18, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received messages of greetings from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
The delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the great leaders
February 18, 2026
The delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where the great leaders
A meeting of awarding certificates of delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the Kumsusan
February 18, 2026
A meeting of awarding certificates of delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea was held at the Kumsusan
All people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrated the significant lunar New Year's Day. Many people visited the
February 18, 2026
All people in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrated the significant lunar New Year's Day. Many people visited the
Soldier-builders and youth shock-brigaders are spending meaningful days in the capital city of Pyongyang after wonderfully
February 18, 2026
Soldier-builders and youth shock-brigaders are spending meaningful days in the capital city of Pyongyang after wonderfully
The leisure complexes in Kangdong and Jongphyong counties and Kaephung District are crowded with people every day, which were
February 18, 2026
The leisure complexes in Kangdong and Jongphyong counties and Kaephung District are crowded with people every day, which were
More Articles
