It’s been so long since I’ve posted! Every small business goes through uncertainty of success or failure. As I’ve had some animosity and critism, I recoiled slightly with imposter syndrome.I’m happy to say, I’ve overcome this! Our family trip to South Korea nextEaster is now consuming me with excitement. A long awaited family reunion with my late mother’s family will be just the medicine needed! And the inspiration I’ll bring back and share excites me!! Thank you for sharing your dishes with me. We will be supporting OmnifoodsUK. Please keep posted on Instagram @kikis_kimchi for updates!
The gochugaru (red pepper flakes)is made from sun dried red chillies. Whole or made into powder or pastes, its versatility is evident in the cuisine over centuries of adaptation.
Gochu/Dried red chillies and powder. THE reason your kimchi gets a spice kick.
Seoul, South Korea:
The trip to South Korea opened so many emotions that had been suppressed for years. Finally seeing close relatives on my mother’s side, The Hwang family.
Hwang Love!:
My cousin “Leo” Hwang and his wife, Seoyeon, welcomed my daughters and myself with the warmest open arms.
Family ! @a famous Juk restaurant 😋 (A savoury porridge)
I had not seen most of my mother’s family since her death in 2004. Many of her family reunited yearly for Chuseouk to honour deceased relatives and family plus gather with foods and offerings on grandparents’ graves.
Sadly, I lost touch with my family for many years, until reconnection was made and communication started again, through social media contact, my cousin found me and we started catching up on the past 20 years…..
They had moved around away from their home town, Daejeon for better work prospects in Seoul, and started beautiful families.
Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival, Seoul.
In our 3 week whirlwind trip, we embraced engaged and enjoyed each moment, my broken Korean starting to flow and speak out with improvement by the time we had to return to the UK. I was saddened by the fact I could not ever apply for dual nationality…as I was born before 1998….(the law changed )
YANG YANG/SOKCHOL-R(soysauces of varied ingredients, gochujangs of high to low, spice and salt content)BANCHAN!!The great Buddha at Mt. SEORAK.
Here, at Seorak Mountain, with my daughters, I recall memories of lighting the inscence, candles, and giving prayer to those we lost and loved with my mother.
I taught my daughters to respect the temples, enter in one side, without shoes and the correct way of 3 Bows and chanting to hanil(heavenly skies)
We left my mother’s favourite sweets when she was a child at the alter and a small token of money.
Uncle Sam chun Jong-Il (the youngest of my mother’s brothers)My late mother’s favourite Seoul bakery.(here with her neice and grand daughter)Spring onion kimchiCooked burdock banchanMountain herbs, burdock, spinach, sesame Sunah, my cousin and Sorcha, my daughter.
Back in the UK now. I’m inspired by the regional variations of kimchi in Korea.
Sadly, I experienced a burn-out (I am diagnosed with ADHD) on return from South Korea and spent the summer trying to stay on top of my mini business at a kitchen in Ramsgate, and keep on top of the home, 2 children and 2 dogs.
Nearly on the verge of mental collapse, I made a mistake of “hiring” space in a kitchen where the motivation became lost in the flour and banter flying around kitchen!
I’m happier working on my own for sure, with my own 🎶 music and clear thoughts.
Kimchi is always available for my loyal customers. Made with locally sourced ingredients and imported red pepper gochugaru, essential for KIMCHI!!
Please contact below if you would like raw, unpasteurised kimchi to be a part of your gut health, learn ways to eat and cook with kimchi.
Finding strength from loyal customers and friends. THANK YOU 😊
For orders, please email kimchicultureuk@gmail.com
Text or phone: 07491 024417
I’ve been Thanet based for 6 months now and slowly building friendships and an understanding of how Kikis_Kimchi may develop locally. Keep posted for the other Kimchis soon to be available.
Thank you to George and Heart ❤️, Margate…and the lovely crew there! Pop up evenings will open Mid-May. They will also have some jars to purchase soon.
Don’t forget to try the incredibly satisfying Bloody Mary, topped with our kimchi garnish.
Kikis_Kimchi Bloody Mary only @GeorgeandHeart, Margate!!
Little Seaside Town on the High Street have Kikis_Kimchi toasties! They should be opening a takeaway option from their cafe window.
Thank you to Molly Pickle studio for inviting me for the Ramsgate through the senses as one of the taste displays!
Don’t hesitate to request any Korean dishes and we can see how we can provide and help with this.
We have now been in Thanet, Ramsgate for 8 weeks! Where has the time gone? There are some moments of missing the familiarity of Horsham, the town I lived to look after my father and we did make some close friends of which we will maintain. I am forever grateful to my long time friend, Helga for allowing this transition and welcoming my family into her home while we settle.
On looking and venturing around the area, I have found so many exciting small businesses who offer home delivery and pick up, as well as long standing existing businesses such as Kyoto, in Ramsgate who will be a regular customer.
I would like to continue offering a K-POP up night to various venues that may host it. Meat and Vegan options on the menu of course.
Korean food is seasonal, and as we enter winter, I would like to offer traditional recipes for the season.
Sample Meat Menu:
-Bulgogi Bibimbap: Hot beef with egg on a rice dish with banchan (shitake mushrooms, beansprouts, spinach, courgette, carrots)
-Korean Fried chicken (spicy or normal)light and gloriously crispy twice cooked chicken.
-Seafood Jeon (Savoury mixed seafood Korean pancake with spring onions)
-Spicy Pork bulgogi with rice and lettuce to wrap. Sesame oil and salt dip and spring onion kimchi
Sample Vegan Menu:
-Vegan Bibimbap: Instead of beef, we replace with tofu or a vegan meat substitute. I would go for the tofu as the texture is more like the egg which is one of the classic ingredients.
-Oyster mushroom fried like chicken!! Get that yummy Seoul seasoning without the meat.
-Kimchi rainbow Jeon (Savoury mixed veg and Kiki’s KImchi pancake)
-Spicy soystrip ‘bulgogi’. (Fire non meat strips)
ALL DISHES TO COME WITH KIKI’S KIMCHI AND BANCHAN SPECIAL OF THE WEEK!!
So excited that we have moved to Ramsgate! I found my cabbage supplier instantly and have so many exciting places to introduce my homemade vegan kimchi!
As we adjust and acclimatise to a new town and county by the sea, I’m excited at the prospect of expanding my little business and introducing my produce to other small businesses in the area.
Kiki's Kimchi 