By Honorary Reporter Veronica Zuniga from Mexico

Photo = Veronica Zuniga

Kimchi is considered the national dish of Korea. The turnip in kimchi is said to help digest food, the ginger and garlic supposedly prevent cancer, and kimchi also contains a lot of fiber and vitamins. This dish is eaten at almost any meal in Korea.

My first experience with kimchi was in the Koreatown of Mexico City after my friend and I decided to try Korean food for the first time, I remember how a lady at the restaurant recommended samgyeopsal, (grilled pork belly), sesame leaves, garlic and kimchi and that grilling the kimchi added flavor. It was simply love at first bite.

Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) with kimchi is a delicious combination. (Veronica Zuniga)

My second experience with kimchi was through the stew kimchi jjigae, the best stew I've had in my life. As a Mexican, I consider finding a soup with the perfect balance of heat pure gold. One of my best friends also nicknamed it "pozole de col" as the food reminded her of a Mexican dish.

Kimchi jjigae is another way to enjoy the spicy condiment in another form. (Veronica Zuniga)

As a passionate fan of Korean culture, I eventually visited Korea and discovered to my surprise thousands of ways to prepare kimchi like jeon (pancakes), soup, fried rice or dumplings. Seoul even has a museum dedicated to kimchi.

From left clockwise, kimchi dumplings, cucumber kimchi, kimchi soup and kimchi pajeon (pancakes). (Veronica Zuniga)

Each region of Korea has its own way of preparing kimchi, and this explains the numerous variants of this dish. The World Health Organization has also designated kimchi one of the world's healthiest foods. 

Though its spicy flavor will not appeal to everyone, kimchi can be addictive, so be warned that once you try it, you might get hooked on it like I did.

enny0611@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.