Kimchi is a classic Korean side dish, or banchan , consisting of fermented, seasoned vegetables. For centuries, kimchi was used as a way to prolong the shelf life of vegetables during the frigid Korean winters. While kimchi is most commonly made with napa cabbage, many different vegetables can be used, from radishes to green onions to cucumbers. The vegetables are flavored with ingredients like salt, gochugaru (red chile pepper flakes), garlic, ginger, sugar, and fish sauce, and sometimes salted seafood like squid or shrimp is added for extra umami flavor.

What Is the Difference Between Fresh Kimchi and Fermented Kimchi?

Traditional fermented kimchi involves letting the vegetables and ingredients sit at room temperature for a period of time to allow the fermentation to take place. But fresh kimchi, or geotjeori , can be eaten as soon as you combine the ingredients. Whereas fermented kimchi has a tangy and slightly funky quality to it, geotjeori allows the natural taste of the vegetables to shine through. (Plus, if you need kimchi on the fly and don’t have days to wait for it to ferment, geotjeori is the perfect solution.)

What Do You Eat Kimchi With?

Short answer? Anything you want! While it can certainly be eaten straight out of the jar on its own, kimchi is usually served as a side dish to accompany traditional Korean meals, and it can be eaten with rice, meats, seafood, BBQ, noodles, porridges, and plenty of other foods. It’s also used as the base for soups and stews , and it can be incorporated into fried rice , savory pancakes , pasta dishes , and more. You can even use it as a topping for burgers , hot dogs , fries , or nachos . And, if you’re a drinker, try incorporating kimchi into a Bloody Mary — you’ll thank us later.

How Long Does Kimchi Last in the Fridge After Opening?

If you keep your kimchi at room temperature, it will only last about a week. But if you keep it refrigerated, it’ll last anywhere from three to six months. Keep in mind, though, that the kimchi will continue to ferment in the fridge — albeit at a slower rate than it would at room temp — and this will lend a more tangy and pungent taste to the kimchi as it ages.

8 Places to Buy Kimchi Online in 2023

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Various kimchi in jar, Korean food — Photo:
Nungning20 / Getty Images

Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine, and it makes the perfect accompaniment to all sorts of savory dishes. A little tangy, a little salty, and a little spicy, kimchi satisfies multiple flavor cravings all at once. It’s also rich in probiotics due to the fermentation process, making it great for gut health. But if you’ve got a hankering for kimchi and don’t live near a store that sells it, knowing where to buy kimchi online can be a huge help.

There’s a slew of online shops and retailers that sell kimchi and ship it straight to your doorstep. Read on to find our picks for the best places to buy kimchi online.

Where to Buy Kimchi Online in 2023

Best Selection: Twins Premium Kimchi
Best for Whole Kimchi: Kim’C Market
Best White Kimchi: Choi’s Kimchi
Best Vegan Kimchi: Madge’s
Best for Same-Day Delivery: Instacart
Best Radish Kimchi: Mama Kim’s Kimchi
Best Custom Kimchi: John’s Super Foods
Best for Shelf-Stable Kimchi: Hmart

Best Selection: Twins Premium Kimchi

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $8.50 per jar
Delivery Area: 50 states
Free Shipping: No

Why You Should Try It

From vegan kimchi to white kimchi to green onion, radish, and even cucumber kimchi, Twins Premium Kimchi has it all.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Multiple types of kimchi offered
Available in pint, quart, and half-gallon jars
Organic and locally grown ingredients

Cons

Shipping costs extra

Overview

San Diego–based Twins Premium Kimchi offers an impressive array of kimchi varieties made with the highest-quality ingredients available. Founded by a mom of twin boys (from which the company gets its name), Twins Premium Kimchi crafts its products using primarily organic, locally grown produce with no GMOs or preservatives.

In the company’s online shop, you’ll find nearly a dozen different types of kimchi, including whole kimchi, sliced kimchi, vegan kimchi, white kimchi (made without chile peppers), pa-kimchi (made with green onions), oi sobagi (cucumber kimchi), and chonggak-kimchi (made with chonggakmu, a variety of white radish that's also known as "ponytail" radish). And if you like what you taste, you can even grab a Twins Premium Kimchi T-shirt from the online shop to help spread the love.

Best for Whole Kimchi: Kim’C Market

KimâC Market

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $220 per “set”
Delivery Area: 50 states
Free Shipping: Yes, on orders of $69 or more

Why You Should Try It

Produced in South Korea and shipped straight to your door, the whole kimchi from Kim’C Market is truly a treat.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Kimchi is shipped directly from South Korea
Both traditional and white kimchi available
Rewards points for purchases

Cons

Whole kimchi only available in "sets," which come with a high price tag

Overview

While the majority of the kimchi you find at American grocery stores is sold in sliced form, most traditional Korean kimchi comes in whole form. “Whole” kimchi refers to kimchi that’s made with a whole head of napa cabbage that’s split in half without chopping or slicing the leaves. And Brooklyn–based online grocer Kim’C Market has a selection of whole kimchi that’s hard to beat.

On the Kim’C Market website, you’ll find four different “sets” of HaeDamChon kimchi, which is produced in and shipped from Gwangju, South Korea. The sets include an assortment of different types of kimchi, such as radish, mustard leaf, and scallion kimchi, as well as traditional whole napa cabbage kimchi. While the price point looks a bit hefty at $220 to $225 per set, it includes around 10 to 12 pounds of kimchi in total, so it all comes out to a pretty reasonable price for the quantity. Plus, Kim’C Market offers free shipping on orders over $69, so it’ll arrive at your doorstep free of charge.

Best White Kimchi: Choi's Kimchi

Choi's Kimchi

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $22 per half-gallon pouch
Delivery Area: 48 states
Free Shipping: No

Why You Should Try It

This award-winning kimchi is so good it was once featured on a limited edition sandwich from a popular restaurant chain — and you can taste it for yourself via the Choi’s Kimchi online shop.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Vegan and non-GMO
Made with high-quality ingredients
Comes in a resealable pouch for easy fridge storage

Cons

Only sold by the half-gallon in the online store
Shipping can get a little steep

Overview

Most varieties of kimchi are made with Korean chile pepper flakes, or gochugaru, which give the kimchi its signature reddish color. But white kimchi, on the other hand, omits the gochugaru (and thus the red tint as well), leaving the kimchi with a whitish color and a milder flavor. If you’re looking to try some truly superb white kimchi, Choi’s Kimchi is a stellar choice.

This award-winning kimchi is vegan and non-GMO, and it’s sold in resealable half-gallon pouches on the company’s website. There, you can also find other products including classic spicy napa cabbage kimchi, baby bok choy kimchi, and even gochujang. Fun fact: Shake Shack once used Choi’s white kimchi as a topping for its limited-time Gochujang Chicken Sandwich in 2021, so if you tried this menu item back in the day, then you’ve tasted this delectable kimchi.

Best Vegan Kimchi: Madge’s

Madgeâs Food Company

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $10 per jar
Delivery Area: 50 states
Free Shipping: No

Why You Should Try It

Swapping the traditional seafood ingredients for vegan-friendly alternatives, Madge’s delivers a completely plant-based kimchi that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Pros and Cons

Pros

100% vegan
Sea vegetables used for umami flavor
Both mild and spicy varieties available

Cons

Shipping costs extra
Kimchi selection is a bit limited

Overview

Did you know that most traditional kimchi is not vegan? Many recipes incorporate ingredients like fish sauce and jeotgal (salted seafood) for an umami boost. However, Madge’s has figured out a way to get all the flavor with no sea creatures involved. Instead, the company uses its signature “Umami Mix,” consisting of a combo of mushrooms and sea plants like kelp, to infuse the kimchi with the same savory, oceanic flavor you’d get from seafood.

Madge’s vegan kimchi is available in both mild and spicy versions, and you can purchase a plethora of other products including sauerkraut and fermented veggies in the company’s online shop. And if you’re a drinker, you can grab a bottle of Madge’s “Fermented Bloody Mix” to stir into vodka, tequila, gin, or even beer.

Best for Same-Day Delivery: Instacart

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: Varies by location
Delivery Area: 50 states
Free Shipping: No

Why You Should Try It

One of the leading names in on-demand grocery delivery, Instacart can bring you a jar of kimchi at a moment’s notice.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Partners with grocery stores all over the country
Ability to select your delivery time range
Delivery available in under an hour

Cons

Pricing and availability depend on where you live

Overview

Instacart is one the most popular grocery delivery apps out there, allowing you to shop from multiple stores from the comfort of your home. And if you live within the radius of stores like Wegmans, Target, Fresh Market, or Sprouts Farmers Market, you can almost guarantee that you’ll have a jar of kimchi in hand in two hours or less. (Provided that your preferred store has it in stock, of course!)

While the available kimchi varieties will depend on your location and the store you choose, ordering couldn’t be easier. Simply download the Instacart app (or visit the website on your computer), type “kimchi” into the search bar at the top, and a list of nearby kimchis will populate on the screen, ready to be hand-delivered right to you whenever you need them.

Best Radish Kimchi: Mama Kim’s Kimchi

Mama Kimâs Kimchi

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $21 per jar
Delivery Area: 50 states
Free Shipping: Yes

Why You Should Try It

With its spicy flavor and crunchy texture, Mama Kim’s small-batch radish kimchi is second to none.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Both radish kimchi and napa cabbage kimchi available
Handcrafted in small batches

Cons

Somewhat small kimchi selection compared to other services

Overview

Diced radish kimchi, or kkakdugi, is one of the most popular types of kimchi out there, and Mama Kim’s offers a stellar version of this classic side dish. Made with Korean radish, or mu, Mama Kim’s radish kimchi has a crisp, crunchy texture and a spicy, tangy flavor. It’s produced in small batches with fresh ingredients, and you can grab 16-ounce jars of it from Mama Kim’s website.

Beyond radish kimchi, Mama Kim’s also sells spicy napa cabbage kimchi as well as jars of “kimchi sauce,” which you can use to make your own batch of kimchi at home. And if you need the perfect sweet-salty-sour condiment, try a jar of Mama Kim’s soy-pickled jalapeños and onions, which make the ultimate topping for hot dogs, burgers, BBQ, or anything else that could use a burst of flavor.

Best Custom Kimchi: John’s Super Foods

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $7 per pouch
Delivery Area: 48 states
Free Shipping: Yes, on orders of $50 or more

Why You Should Try It

John’s Super Foods gives you the reins on your kimchi orders, allowing you to customize the ingredients to suit your specific taste preferences.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Nearly a dozen fermented products to choose from
Customizable kimchi
Free shipping on orders over $50

Cons

Shipping costs extra for small orders

Overview

If you’re a fan of all things fermented, give John’s Super Foods a try. The founder, known simply as “John” on the company’s website, makes his kimchi from scratch in small batches for each order, shipping it out at peak freshness. Choose from classic napa cabbage kimchi, white kimchi, mustard leaf kimchi, and a special “Kustom Kimchi,” which allows you to tailor the kimchi to your own unique taste preferences. All products come in resealable, BPA-free plastic pouches sold either by the pint or by the quart.

Aside from kimchi, John specializes in other small-batch fermented foods as well, from garlic black pepper sauerkraut to vegan hot chili sauce. (Yes, the hot sauce is fermented, too!) And if you like pickles, try John’s Kimchi Pickles, which combine Kirby cucumbers with spicy kimchi paste into one out-of-this-world snack.

Best for Shelf-Stable Kimchi: Hmart

Hmart

Buy Now

Key Specs

Starting Price: $3 per can
Delivery Area: 48 states
Free Shipping: Yes, on orders of over $149

Why You Should Try It

Most kimchi is sold in the refrigerated section of the grocery store — but if you’re looking for kimchi that can stand the test of pantry storage, Hmart's online store has a great selection of just that.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Multiple shelf-stable kimchi brands to choose from
Delivers all over the lower 48 states

Cons

$15 shipping fee on orders under $149

Overview

Did you know you could buy kimchi in a can? Turns out, you “can!” (Sorry, we had to.) And if you’re interested in trying canned kimchi for yourself, Hmart has several varieties you can order for delivery via its online store. These cans can last for years until you’re ready to enjoy them (as long as they’re stored properly in a room-temperature environment, of course).

Along with canned kimchi, Hmart carries over a dozen other shelf-stable kimchi options that arrive in aluminum pouches, including white kimchi, ponytail radish kimchi, and even mustard leaf kimchi. And if you’re aiming to stock up, Hmart offers free shipping on orders of $149 or more.

Final Thoughts

One of the most quintessential of all Korean foods, kimchi comes in many varieties. And, as such, there are plenty of places you can grab a jar online. If you’re looking for an all-around great kimchi selection, Twins Premium Kimchi is a shoo-in. Following a vegan diet? Madge’s kimchi is made with entirely plant-based ingredients — no seafood involved. And if you want kimchi in hand as soon as possible, Instacart’s network of shoppers can deliver a jar (or two, or three) to you at a moment’s notice.

Compare the Best Places to Buy Kimchi Online

Company	Starting Price	Delivery Area	Free Shipping?	Subscription Option?	Same-/Next-Day Delivery Available?
Twins Premium Kimchi Best Selection	$8.50 per jar	48 states	No	No	No
Kim’C Market Best for Whole Kimchi	$220 per “set”	50 states	Yes, on orders of $69 or more	No	No
Choi’s Kimchi Best White Kimchi	$22 per half-gallon pouch	48 states	No	No	No
Madge’s Best Vegan Kimchi	$10 per jar	50 states	No	No	No
Instacart Best for Same-Day Delivery	Varies by location	50 states	No	No	Yes
Mama Kim’s Kimchi Best Radish Kimchi	$21 per jar	50 states	Yes	No	No
John’s Super Foods Best Custom Kimchi	$7 per pouch	48 states	Yes, on orders of $50 or more	No	No
Hmart Best for Shelf-Stable Kimchi	$3 per can	48 states	Yes, on orders of over $149	No	No

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Kimchi?

Kimchi is a classic Korean side dish, or banchan, consisting of fermented, seasoned vegetables. For centuries, kimchi was used as a way to prolong the shelf life of vegetables during the frigid Korean winters. While kimchi is most commonly made with napa cabbage, many different vegetables can be used, from radishes to green onions to cucumbers. The vegetables are flavored with ingredients like salt, gochugaru (red chile pepper flakes), garlic, ginger, sugar, and fish sauce, and sometimes salted seafood like squid or shrimp is added for extra umami flavor.
What Is the Difference Between Fresh Kimchi and Fermented Kimchi?

Traditional fermented kimchi involves letting the vegetables and ingredients sit at room temperature for a period of time to allow the fermentation to take place. But fresh kimchi, or geotjeori, can be eaten as soon as you combine the ingredients. Whereas fermented kimchi has a tangy and slightly funky quality to it, geotjeori allows the natural taste of the vegetables to shine through. (Plus, if you need kimchi on the fly and don’t have days to wait for it to ferment, geotjeori is the perfect solution.)
What Do You Eat Kimchi With?

Short answer? Anything you want! While it can certainly be eaten straight out of the jar on its own, kimchi is usually served as a side dish to accompany traditional Korean meals, and it can be eaten with rice, meats, seafood, BBQ, noodles, porridges, and plenty of other foods. It’s also used as the base for soups and stews, and it can be incorporated into fried rice, savory pancakes, pasta dishes, and more. You can even use it as a topping for burgers, hot dogs, fries, or nachos. And, if you’re a drinker, try incorporating kimchi into a Bloody Mary — you’ll thank us later.
How Long Does Kimchi Last in the Fridge After Opening?

If you keep your kimchi at room temperature, it will only last about a week. But if you keep it refrigerated, it’ll last anywhere from three to six months. Keep in mind, though, that the kimchi will continue to ferment in the fridge — albeit at a slower rate than it would at room temp — and this will lend a more tangy and pungent taste to the kimchi as it ages.

Methodology

Our team of food writers and reviewers scoured the online market for the best places to buy kimchi. We came up with our list of favorites after evaluating them on a list of criteria, including price, variety of offerings, delivery area, shipping fees, customer reviews, and, of course, the quality of the kimchi. We also considered any unique varieties of kimchi or other fermented products the companies have that make them stand out from the rest.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!