Recipes

Water Kimchi

  • Serves

    makes about 12 cups

ANDRÉ BARANOWSKI

This light-tasting kimchi is sometimes served with flavorful garnishes, such as pomegranate seeds, and a little of the brine solution in which it's pickled.

Ingredients

  • 4 12 lb. daikon radishes, peeled and cut into 3" x 1 1/2" lengths
  • 12 cloves garlic, halved
  • 5 red Korean or Holland chiles, pierced in the middle with a knife
  • 4 scallions, white and light green parts only, plus more for garnish
  • 4 2" pieces fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 Asian pear, unpeeled, cored, and sliced into 3/4"-thick wedges
  • 3 tbsp. sea salt
  • 1 tbsp. distilled white vinegar
  • Pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

Put radishes, garlic, chiles, scallions, ginger, and pears into a 1-gallon glass jar fitted with a lid. In a bowl, stir together salt, vinegar, and 8 cups water until salt is dissolved. Pour salt solution over vegetables, adding a little water to cover vegetables if necessary. Cover jar and let sit at room temperature for 4 days, uncovering and then re-covering the jar (to release carbon dioxide) at the end of the second, third, and fourth days.

Step 2

Transfer jar to refrigerator and let sit for up to 6 months, uncovering occasionally to release carbon dioxide. To serve, slice desired portion of vegetables into bite-size pieces and transfer to a bowl. Ladle a few tbsp. of kimchi's brine into bowl. Dilute with 1 tbsp. or so of water and, if you like, garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Continue to Next Story

Want more SAVEUR?

Get our favorite recipes, stories, and more delivered to your inbox.