11/25/2004: Kimchi production for the needy

This volunteer effort is in Seoul, Korea: 2,000 women, who are employees of the Korea Yakult Company, made kimchi in front of the Seoul City Hall for five hours. Over 50,000 cabbage heads were used to produce food for the needy which will be distributed today.

The dish is described as Korea's national food - besides cabbage, it apparently involves spicy pickled vegetables. I prefer turkey.

Doesn't kimchi have to ferment underground for a while before it's reached the correct stage of ripeness?

Or was that just a plot point in M*A*S*H?

I was struck by the similarity in color choice to another recent IOTD from Korea.

So the needy get a cayanne pepper laced, red-hot cabbage side dish to eat? Yikes.

Where's the beef/ poultry/ mammal of choice?

Wow...and it's difficult enough here in the US to get people to donate a $.59 can of vegetables to our own needy.

What was the final yield of food after all was said and done? How many pounds (tons?) and how many could eat off all that?

Kimchi is good stuff! I developed a taste for it while stationed in Korea in the Army. I can find it occasionally here in the states in small jars in some supermarkets and of course ethnic food shops but it's just not the same as I remember over there. There's many different kinds of kimchi, not all of them as hot and spicy as is generally thought. If you're culinarily adventurous I'd recommend going out to your local specialty food shop to get some kimchi, boil up some sticky rice and try it out! :yum:

wolf wrote:

Doesn't kimchi have to ferment underground for a while before it's reached the correct stage of ripeness?

Or was that just a plot point in M*A*S*H?

I googled. Yes, it does have to sit for a while for the flavors to come together properly.

It's mainly cabbage though. Not what I'd choose as a staple to provide to poor, starving people. It's vitamin C laden roughage, providing minimal calories.

I guess it makes you feel fuller, but you're still starving.

and afterwards i guess they all used a needed hole in the ground???

York wrote:

and afterwards i guess they all used a needed hole in the ground???

Yup, Koreans do use *squat* toilets. A unique experience the first time you use the public restrooms over there. If you've ever *gone* in the woods, you'd know what it's like. ;)

200 kinds makes for a hell of a menu. :eek:

Kimchi is a live food which contains probiotic digestive bacteria (like yogurt does) and cabbage is one of the most important vegetable family plants for essential nutrients (anti cancer, etc.) So while it is not all that caloric it lets you make the maximum use of your other food (via the probiotic bacteria), protects your gut and nouirishes you. That hot food might taste good in a cold country.

404Error wrote:

Yup, Koreans do use *squat* toilets. A unique experience the first time you use the public restrooms over there. If you've ever *gone* in the woods, you'd know what it's like. ;)

The position is actually better for evacuation, although it is a bit strange for Americans. You used to find them all over Europe too. When I was in China the hotel bathroom by the restaurant had one of each. There were many times I chose the squat- fortunately it had grab bars.

Kimchi is good stuff!

Yeah, if you can get past the smell. :greenface

Kitsune wrote:

Yeah, if you can get past the smell. :greenface

Were you referring to the Kimchi or toilets? :biggrin:

Kimichi smell? Toilet stink? Its all the same.

Kitsune wrote:

Kimichi smell? Toilet stink? Its all the same.

The cabbagey smell of Chinese toilets was very hard to take.