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Most people look for kimchi with the pickles. That is the wrong end of the shop.
Which aisle is kimchi in?
Fresh kimchi is in the chilled section of UK supermarkets, usually with the vegan and plant based range or near the fresh sauerkraut and fermented foods. It is not with the jarred pickles and it is not in the world food aisle. Shelf stable jars are the exception and do sit on an ambient shelf.
Chilled kimchi or jarred kimchi?
The two sit in different parts of the shop and taste noticeably different, which is the root of most of the confusion.
| Chilled kimchi | Shelf stable jar | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Chiller, with vegan or fermented food | World food aisle, on the shelf |
| Cultures | Live and still fermenting | Usually pasteurised |
| Taste | Sharp, fizzy, gets sourer over time | Milder and flatter |
| Keeps | Weeks in the fridge, and improves | Months unopened |
| Best for | Eating cold, and for kimchi stew | Cooking, when tang matters less |
Where to look, supermarket by supermarket
Larger branches of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose all carry it now. Work these spots in order.
- The chilled vegan or plant based cabinet. Often shelved with the tofu and meat free range. The most common spot.
- Chilled fermented foods. Next to the fresh sauerkraut, kefir and live yoghurt in stores that group them.
- The chilled world food section. Some larger stores keep a small Korean and Japanese chiller.
- World food aisle, ambient shelf. For pasteurised jars near the Korean sauces.
Aisle numbers change between branches of the same chain, so the section is more useful than a number. Convenience format shops rarely stock it at all.
How to find the exact aisle in your store
Search the product in the supermarket’s own app before you go. The Tesco Grocery and Clubcard app shows product location and live stock for the branch you choose, and will sort a shopping list into aisle order. The other big chains let you check stock by store the same way.
What to ask a member of staff
Say kimchi and say Korean fermented cabbage. Asking for pickled cabbage sends people to the sauerkraut or the jarred pickles, which is not the same thing and is usually in a different aisle again.
Korean and Asian supermarkets
A Korean grocer is the better trip if you eat kimchi often. The tubs are larger, the price per kilo is far lower, and the range runs well past cabbage: radish kimchi, cucumber kimchi, spring onion kimchi and white kimchi with no chilli.
- Look in the chilled cabinet near the banchan and fresh noodles.
- Large tubs are sold by weight and are far better value.
- Ask for the freshest tub if you want it crunchy, or an older one if you want it sour for cooking.
Buying kimchi online
Supermarket delivery is the easiest way to get a chilled tub without a trip. Specialist Korean grocers ship chilled boxes, which is worth it if you order enough to justify the postage. Shelf stable jars post easily but are the milder, pasteurised kind.
Storing it
Keep chilled kimchi in the fridge and press it down under its brine each time you take some out, so the cabbage stays covered. It carries on fermenting and gets sourer and softer over weeks, which is not a fault. Older kimchi is what you want for stews and fried rice.
Use a clean fork rather than fingers, and expect the lid to hiss. That fizz is the fermentation working.
Frequently asked questions
Where is kimchi in the supermarket?
In the chiller, usually with the vegan and plant based food or the fresh fermented products. Not with the jarred pickles, and not in the world food aisle unless it is a pasteurised jar.
Do all supermarkets sell kimchi?
Larger branches of the main chains do. Small convenience stores generally do not, and the range in a mid sized store is often a single brand. A big branch or a Korean grocer is the safer trip.
Is supermarket kimchi as good as Korean kimchi?
Usually milder. UK supermarket brands are tuned to a British palate and are often lower in chilli and fish sauce. A Korean grocer tub is sharper and more savoury, and much better value by weight.
Is kimchi vegan?
Not always. Traditional kimchi contains fish sauce or salted shrimp. Vegan versions exist and say so on the front, so check the label rather than assuming.
How long does kimchi last once opened?
Weeks in the fridge, and it keeps changing the whole time. It gets sourer and softer rather than going off. Follow the date on the tub, and use older kimchi for cooking instead of eating it cold.
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- Kimchi. If your local shops do not stock it.
