Seoul food: New York-based Kimchi Kooks put a modern twist on classic Korean fare

When Kate Kook and her son WooJae Chung set up their Brooklyn-based kimchi business earlier this year, the initial idea was to address the lack of authentic Korean dishes available in their local area. The family's association with fermented foods dates all the way back to Kate's grandparents, so they're a pretty good authority on the classic Korean side dish, which unlike other pickled foods uses no vinegar at all.
Kook's grandfather ran a rice wine brewery in Korea back in the 1920s, and the company's Classic Kimchi recipe, made from gloriously spicy napa cabbage that comes marinated in garlic, ginger, fish sauce and red chilli pepper, has been adapted from her grandmother's original recipe.
More recently, the mother and son duo have been experimenting with slightly more unusual ingredients, resulting in spin-off 'Kimchi'd' varieties. It's a clever play on Korean tradition, where cabbage is often swapped out for other more easily accessible and seasonal ingredients - in this instance kale and beetroot.
The packaging is clean and modern, unlike a lot of other Asian foods that are available in their local supermarkets, but comes complete with traditional brown hanji (a type of Korean paper), in honour of the dish's deep historic roots.
The company's Classic Kimchi recipe, made from spicy red cabbage marinated in garlic, ginger, fish sauce and red chilli pepper, has been adapted from Kate's grandmother's original recipe
More recently, the pair have been experimenting with slightly more unusual ingredients, resulting in spin-off 'Kimchi'd' varieties, where cabbage is swapped out for kale and beetroots
-
Inside André Fu’s Hong Kong ‘urban retreat’
Hong Kong-based designer André Fu shares iPhone snaps of his home overlooking Deep Water Bay and tells us of his inspirations, daily rituals and favourite art and design objects
By Rosa Bertoli • Published
-
Scarpetta Rome brings New York flair to classic Italian flavours
Scarpetta Rome is the latest outpost of the classic New York Italian restaurant
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
Laundry list: how to look after your clothes, and make them last longer
A group of experts weigh in on their tips for washing, storing and repairing your clothes to make them last for decades to come
By Jack Moss • Published
-
St John takes nose-to-tail Stateside for limited run at Ace Hotel Brooklyn
St John, the London restaurant that pioneered nose-to-tail eating, makes its American debut in Brooklyn for a limited period
By Pei-Ru Keh • Published
-
Lavender and Truffles: plant-based ice cream with Asian-inspired flavours
Fashion industry veteran Alicia Liu launches an ice cream brand like no other, with passion and grit as the main ingredients
By Scott Mitchem • Last updated
-
In Washington, DC, Yayoi Kusama and Veuve Clicquot are in full bloom
Yayoi Kusama and Veuve Clicquot continue their long and fruitful collaboration with a series of art events in Washington, DC, headlined by the artist’s major show, ‘One With Eternity’ at the Hirshhorn
By Martha Elliott • Last updated
-
New York exhibition celebrates the history of African American cuisine
‘African/American: Making the Nation’s Table’ is a new exhibition in New York City that examines the traditions and innovations of African American cooking
By Mary Cleary • Last updated
-
Mickalene Thomas’ recipe for duck with chimichurri
Try Mickalene Thomas’ take on a much-cherished recipe for duck with chimichurri. As featured in our monthly Artist’s Palate series, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
Tomo is Seattle’s new restaurant for fine dining with casual vibes
At new Seattle restaurant Tomo, the best of Pacific Northwest ingredients and Japanese flavours are served up in a congenial atmosphere
By Mary Cleary • Last updated
-
Kelly Wearstler designs California-style gingerbread house for Flamingo Estate
In collaboration with LA's Flamingo Estate, Kelly Wearstler designs a limited-edition gingerbread house in her signature California Modernist style
By Pei-Ru Keh • Last updated
-
Wondrous Brewing Company celebrates new minimalist home in San Francisco
Wondrous Brewing Company's new headquarters by Garcia Tamjidi Architecture Design makes its mark in San Francisco
By Shawn Adams • Last updated