How to "Kimchi" Any Fruit or Vegetable | NYT Cooking

Get the recipes:
Smacked Cucumber ‘Quick Kimchi’: nyti.ms/37euXdV
Fennel ‘Quick Kimchi’: nyti.ms/3lPKjtF
Grape Tomato ‘Quick Kimchi’: nyti.ms/3nRYn7P
Follow along as Eric Kim, a food writer and contributor to NYT Cooking, shows us how to “quick kimchi” just about any fruit or vegetable. Now, this isn’t the same kimchi that is fermented over time and most often starts off with cabbage and salt. Instead, Eric shows us how to approximate the flavors of kimchi with this quicker technique that uses some of the same ingredients. Technically these are muchims, which can refer to any number of “seasoned” or “dressed” salads or other preparations.
To make the cucumber brine martini (5:29), mix a 1:1 ratio of vodka and soju, and add a splash of the cucumber brine. Stir all that with ice and strain. Enjoy!
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About NYT Cooking:
All the food that’s fit to eat (yes, it’s an official New York Times production).

[@pugsley9618]

this host is adorable, would love to see more of him!

[@chaton20]

Yes please 🙌🏻

[@Stephanie-yx1lk]

So relaxing and fun to watch!

[@O2life]

I completely agree!!

[@lexica510]

He has such an engaging manner. 🥰

[@Joseph-ht5xc]

He’s so cute 😳

[@Lily-eu6kg]

Literally saw this as my first to-do today and kinda teared up because EVERYTHING Eric said as a Korean I could relate to. I need to get some gochugaru today.

[@alisonaffliction]

This is LOVELY NYT needs more Eric Kim!

[@serena1232]

Love that this video is sort of an homage to his mom in a way. Thank you Eric! Can't wait to try.

[@highlightergurl]

I now love Eric Kim and this channel, thank u

[@tosca...]

Love this. I'm Australian (with insomnia tonight, it's 3.44 am!) and have been making my own kimchi for nearly three years. I have an Asian supplies store nearby so I'm set! Love cucumber, so kimchi cucumber sounds like the bomb!

[@serena1232]

I made the smacked cucumber dish today with a single cucumber (reduced the measurements), and it was so good I ate the entire thing in one sitting and licked the bowl clean with my fingers. THANK YOU! I’m thrilled to be able to replicate some of my favorite Korean flavors at home!!

[@maryandchild]

korean moms.. the gloves and the kitchen scissors!

[@andrewaway]

Thank you. I love watching you cook. ❤

[@shishar85]

This is such a great video. I love these types of videos that teach you a whole culinary concept with a technique you can adapt to whatever you want. I particularly like how Eric explains each element of the seasoning and how it is important to Korean cuisine and gives Korean dishes their signature flavors. It really helps me appreciate Korean foods better. And add the personal stories, and I feel like Eric is inviting me to eat with his family. I love how he tells us about his mom using the gloves. I have seen them but now I want to get them to make these quick kimchis like a Korean mama LOL. Also, I am a huge fan of gochugaru. It is my go to red pepper flake, and I’m with him: I wanna see it blow up. Guys seriously you gotta get this stuff. It’s amazing. I would love to see more from Eric, like how to enjoy Korean soups. I remember someone telling me there is a particular way of eating it to make it so much more pleasurable. Yeah. I wannna see more so I can incorporate these techniques into my own cooking!!!!

[@fh8344]

Can you tell us what that particular way of eating it which you spoke of?

[@sweetGGbaby]

I make Chinese smash cucumber salad all the time and I never thought to save the cucumber brine! the martini is a genius idea, thank you!!

[@elizabethfreeman4820]

yes! so great to see Eric on video - would love to see him more often on here!

[@darkdragen]

Eric Kim is great! I can't wait to see more from him!

[@barbarap3994]

literally my mouth was watering watching Eric make the cucumber kimchi. it really is a great side dish for any Korean food.

[@maryjones3829]

Love your writing, excited for more videos!

[@MarlaDawn]

Looks delicious! More of these kinds of videos please!

[@ShayC143]

Loving this new content!!! Love kimchi anything!!! Salivating right now!

[@laughingmonkey5522]

I loved this, ive wanted a kimchi dressing for a while and i absolutely love eric!

[@celestescollan9431]

What a delight this was!! Would love to see more of Eric in future :) (also can't wait to make those cukes omg).

[@ashleyfwtx]

Eric has such a calming vibe. Love his videos. Making his sheet pan bibimbap for dinner tomorrow night!

[@lynguini]

The way we always made the "quick kimchi" cucumber was with this sweet Chinese black vinegar! it gives the veg a bit more color as well and the sweetness is peeeeerfect! Also balsamic would go great too!

[@momusic14]

I love this! Give us more Eric!

[@lexica510]

Loved this video! More from Eric Kim, please - he's engaging and charming.

[@jessicakaloustian3766]

Can’t wait to try. Thank you!

[@tiffanyleung8287]

❤️❤️ loved this!

[@lynneann9166]

Going to make this. Thanks!

[@vivianlee3179]

Everything you’ve done in this video, the banchan gloves, the costco pack of peeled garlic, gosohada, everything. SAME SAME SAME!!!

[@shishar85]

Omg i’m not even Korean and now I wanna say “gosohada” when the food is good! What a great word!

[@cockatooinsunglasses7492]

My mother’s friend has been making grape kimchi since the mid 2000’s. My family had been making it since then. As well because it’s so good!

[@karenbenavente1124]

Very nice!! I love the great ideas thank you!

[@camargue92]

if you smack the cucumber with something heavy before cutting it you get the same result, but no mess and a lot less effort! just give it a few whacks until it starts to crack

[@vanessascola4708]

So cool. Thanks so much.

[@TheNinnyfee]

I can't believe I'm seeing a bottle of Surig in the US! 😄❤ It's about 4 to 5 times stronger than regular vinegar (24% acid), that's why it's called "vinegar essence". It's so versatile, but you have to learn how to handle it. The smiley spoon is adorable!

[@doublebanana-de3dt]

Fantastic introduction - I know so much more than I did before, and even I eel like I could give it a try!

[@momsgoldteeth]

Would love to see more of Eric and his husband, Timothée Chalamet

[@Hardyier]

ROFL

[@meredithcalcott6714]

I love Eric and everything he does on food52!(and his instagram is genius) I'd love to see a regular video series from him! :)

[@drchinamyeebatwal5180]

whats his insta id i need to folllow him

[@cookingideaswithmayssa3828]

Wow looks yummy and delicious

[@annagritsevich2428]

I totally switched from using italian red pepper flakes to gochugaru a year ago and never looked back!

[@rigo9301]

He was sooo dope we need more of him!!!!!

[@BlondLanfear]

Allllllll of that looks super delicious

[@madcitywendy]

More recipes from this cook!!

[@darcyjorgensen5808]

LOVE THIS.

[@HenryPh_am]

The food looks yummy, and the cook looks delicious 🤤

[@ceevee3714]

Thank you for sharing👍🏽😋👋

[@Shell1425]

Wow, he was a breath of fresh air!

[@princeflame295]

Eric is adorable! More of him please!

[@PaoloFornasini]

Definitely going with the smacking method. More messy = more delicious!

[@jazzanietrujillo2033]

This video just saved half the produce in my fridge!!!! Thank you for finally giving me something to do with fennel!!!!

[@k07385]

This was so cute, more videos from him please!!

[@maryduff8831]

I’ve been wondering about using fruit to make a “kimchi” of sorts … thank you for the ideas and the dressing recipe.

[@babysteps09]

Thank you!

[@kacisykes6169]

The tomato Kimchi is one of my favorite recipes of all time!

[@alicelee4756]

Eric!! I hope you keep writing for food52 as well because I love your column (and your writing in general)

[@dianedorf]

I loved this video! Can we have more?

[@aeolia80]

omg!!!! that smiley spoon!! He got that in Korea!! I saw that everywhere there, hahah

[@teemmeegee]

really needed this in my life for my banchans

[@EvasBeautyandWellness]

Looks yummy

[@EvasBeautyandWellness]

Tq

[@christinaurban1349]

Love it

[@lima6208]

Agree with so many that Eric Kim should be doing a lot more (if he would like to...) he's fantastic

[@dianewalsh2055]

More Eric Kim please!!

[@okonkwo94]

Love!

[@suaveboom]

Great video. More from Erik 😁

[@BeingAndHappenings]

Nice video!

[@973yanou]

I miss your Asmr Channel Eric but I’m glad You are doing well

[@stoveulrich7301]

I ate this and was then able to fly among the clouds.

[@SlajorMoth]

Ok but we want a Martini video now!

[@MeredithMynroseUniversalHealer]

I really like all the backstory 💓💓😄

[@AnhNguyen-fp3qh]

Hello, looks yummy and easy to make. Can you provide recipe please? Thank you!

[@hankmcaff9350]

what can i use as a substitute for the fish sauce?

[@skippythetall]

Eric Kim is putting me onto the NYT yt channel :)

[@lilyround1701]

Can you ferment this longer if you didn't necessarily want it to be a "quick" kimchi?

[@thedanalcantara]

BRB, need to do this to every vegetable in my flat

[@JamesChenisKing]

I usually use a side of a cleaver and smash the cucumber whole, then cut it up. It’s smashed but dont get just and seed everywhere.

[@soowanwoo2145]

Sounds like you are making a variety of Geot-jeol-ee. Good kimchi goes well with chicken noodle soup.

[@weedywet]

did you rinse the cucumbers after that heavy salting?

[@emmythemac]

Omg, I have an old-ass apple lying around and I'm gonna try this tomorrow

[@babymochi4070]

Yummmmmm :D

[@JiaxinYu]

He is soooo cute omg

[@cherryrose1015]

다진마늘은 항상 준비되어 있지요ㅋㅋㅋ

[@melonsoup]

I want that spoon!

[@babymochi4070]

Me too!

[@icinfin117]

Same

[@Girlwithbcspecs]

Now, I want to know how he made that Martini.

[@thecatwithoutatail5420]

any gochugaru replacement?

[@kevinrobertosaldanahiguera3050]

Anyone know where to find his old asmr videos?

[@froggyart7877]

I did it with canalobe

[@meremeth]

:-0 yummmmm I need to make this Wonder what I could use instead of fish sauce tho hmm

[@gracejlee]

Soy sauce. It doesn’t really taste as fishy as it smells though.

[@leticiafraga7428]

Is there anyway to substitute the fish sauce so it is vegan?

[@fabiolemes3395]

YES! A Korean cooking Korean! This is how you do it Bon Ape whatever!

[@finechian3966]

I saw three crab brand fish sauce I knew it was gonna be good

[@jbeta4948]

The kojukaro container idea is great. We have dropped our bags a couple of times...not good.

[@indiabliss]

What about the probiotic part?

[@mariafranco5756]

This is becoming a MARTINI video now 🤣🤣🤣. My producer is freaking out… 😅😂😂😂

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

You know you want to use the knife slaping technique.. *CUCUMBER EVERYWHERE!*

[@majoroldladyakamom6948]

Could have sworn it was spelled: S L A P P I N G Two "P's"? Wiki, Websters and/or Oxford Dictionaries... none recognize that word, slaping. Perhaps your auto-correct or brain is/are getting old? Perhaps you need to do a little less toking before you're joking and put it down forever indelled in time on such a Global platform called YT comments? 🤗😂🤗

[@m.theresa1385]

Pop it in a ziplock or supermarket baggie before smashing . It’s easy to flip it and smash it from both sides that way.

[@MrVictorHugo99]

We want to meet your mom! She sounds wonderful!

[@macieadventurist2540]

Tamsak host

[@olivervedast8153]

Quimchi

[@christinabrugger7058]

Gochugaru is like Paprika, just better and with a little kick!

[@bindaegari1660]

Gochugaru is nothing like paprika lol

[@christinabrugger7058]

@@bindaegari1660 We have a sweet Paprika Powder - quite similar Aroma..

[@robynkrest8178]

💜💜💜💜😍😍😍😍😍💜💜💜💜

[@sankimalu]

Of course each of us has the best mother in the world, but I’m calling mine and telling her that she has Korean competition...

[@rozlinmiyashiro2410]

i have a crush

[@wizirbyman]

can i kimchi my dreams of timothy chalamet?

[@ViolentOrchid]

There should be reusable gloves that u you can sanitize in the dishwasher by now, kitchen gadget world!