7 Kimchi Shops on Instagram To Purchase From and Satisfy Your Kimchi Cravings

If you have been to South Korea, you would have likely tasted authentic Kimchi. The ones that are not commercialised but made by hand — often with elbow-length pink rubber gloves and plenty of Napa cabbage. To eat Kimchi in a South Korean family diner is a noteworthy affair; it’s likely that recipes vary from one diner to the next, from village to village and from family to family. In fact, most of these recipes have been passed down through the generations. And for family-owned eateries, it is considered a source of pride to be asked for a second serving.

With travel impossible today, many of us may perhaps yearn for a taste of South Korean cuisine and Kimchi. In Singapore, there are plenty of stores offering the fermented cabbage dish, and here are seven popular Instagram handles that allow you to buy homemade Kimchi for a taste of South Korea.

1.    Gold Kimchi

Korea-born Singaporean actress Jin Yinji is a familiar name in Singapore’s media scene. Expanding her repertoire beyond acting, she is now helming her own home-based business proffering homemade Kimchi for the masses. Going beyond the traditional Cabbage Kimchi (500g for S$15), Gold Kimchi also offers Cucumber Kimchi (500g for S$15), Radish Kimchi (500g for S$15) and other small bite-sized delights too.

Purchase from Gold Kimchi here.

2.    Wanting Kimchi

Wanting Kimchi prides itself in its eclectic selection of delicately aged Kimchi. And this means the preserved greens are packed full of probiotics and boasts the addictive zing. You can choose to order its Signature Whole Leaf Cabbage Kimchi (550g for S$18.90) as it is or have them more fermented and aged (for that extra flavour) at an additional S$8. Otherwise, you can opt to savour the Refreshing Cucumber Kimchi (550g for S$18.90). Occasionally, you may get season specials, such as Addictive Apple Kimchi (400g for S$18.90), Honey Pumpkin Kimchi (400g for S$18), and even Vegan Kimchi variants too!   

Purchase from Wanting Kimchi here. Visit their website here.

3.    Hanok Kimchi

Handmade by Korean chefs, Hanok Kimchi has received plenty of good praises for their authentic Kimchi, sides and whole meals. There are three different types of Kimchi offered at Hanok Kimchi: Cabbage Kimchi, Radish Kimchi, and Spring Onion Kimchi (each 550g for S$18.90). If you are looking for something bold and piquant, you’d be glad to know that the store also proffers hot meals, such as Kimchi Jjgae Meal Set (which comprises sesame rice, kimchi stew, and crispy anchovies for S$16.90) and Doenjang Jjigae Meal Set (which comprises sesame rice, fermented soy stew, and crispy anchovies for S$16.90).   

Purchase from Hanok Kimchi here.

4.    Jin Kimchi

The flavour profile behind Jin Kimchi is one that’s suited to the Singaporean tastebuds: which is, frankly, less piquant, mildly sweeter and a tad more savoury. Jin Kimchi offers the classic Kimchi flavours – Original Cabbage (345g for S$14.90), Cucumber (345g for S$13.90) and Radish (345g for S$17.90) – as well as other interesting variants, such as Geongang Kimchi (keto-friendly, vegan-friendly, and gluten-free kimchi made from vegetable broth; 345g for S$15.90) or White Kimchi (a non-spicy variant of Kimchi; 690g for S$23.90).

Purchase from Jin’s Kimchi here.

5.    Pink Candy Singapore

The brick-and-mortar outlet resides at Beauty World Centre, and that’s where you can order a gamut of dishes – think Kimbab, Army Stew and more! The store, which has more than a decade of experience proffering Korean dishes, also sells Kimchi to-go too! From Apple Kimchi (500g for S$8) to Traditional Kimchi (500g for S$9), Cucumber Kimchi (500g for S$15) to Young Radish Kimchi (500g for S$10), you’d be spoilt for choice!  

Purchase from Pink Candy Singapore here. Visit their website here.

6.    Lee’s Kimchi

In Singapore, Ajumma-approved recipes are far and few between. And it so happens that Lee’s Kimchi is one of them. Fermented with no added MSG and preservatives, the kimchi offerings offered here are low in salt and sugar too. At present, there are five Kimchi flavours here: Original Kimchi (700g for S$15), Radish Kimchi (700g for S$15), Spicy Kimchi (700g for S$16), Cucumber Kimchi (700g for S$12), and Vegan Kimchi (700g for S$16).

Purchase from Lee’s Kimchi here. Visit their website here.  

7.    Kimchi Mania

Helmed by a Korean mother living in Singapore, this home-based business whips up an authentic selection of Korean cuisine and Kimchi to the masses. Kimchi Mania offers up Cabbage Kimchi (500g for S$13), Radish Kimchi (500g for S$13), Cucumber Kimchi (500g for S$15), and beyond that, it also offers marinated meat – think Bulgogi – and rice sets.

Purchase from Kimchi Mania here.