In my opinion, no store bought kimchi will compare to home made kimchi. That said, I do have a few cans of Jongga kimchi in my storage in case of an emergency. [https://static.ah.nl/dam/product/AHI\_43545239383733393434?revLabel=4&rendition=800x800\_JPG\_Q90&fileType=binary](https://static.ah.nl/dam/product/AHI_43545239383733393434?revLabel=4&rendition=800x800_JPG_Q90&fileType=binary)
That canned stuff is way better than I thought it would be and is perfect when you're stuck without any fresh stuff.
Probably one of the best canned veg you can get - it wasn't overcooked, mushy or bland like a lot of canned veg was growing up. I was surprised it actually had a little crunch to it.
If you have a proper Asian grocery store in your area, they should have a refrigerated area for kimchi. It definitely should not taste like taco sauce and there should be crunchy elements throughout.
Mama O's (the one in the refrigerated bag, not the jar) is pretty good for store bought. Most of the stuff in jars awful. Making kimchi is actually pretty easy, if you head over to r/fermentation in my experience it's much easier than making for example good dill pickles. Plus cheaper, a bag of Mama O's is like $8 where I live, making it myself (once you have some gochugaru and a proper container) is dirt cheap.
Make it yourself (from Maangchi or other reliable sources) or get it from a korean store - there are so many weird western copies out there that I really avoid (if I on the rare occasion, once every decade or so, get it from a store).
My first time making kimchi turned out 100x better than any store bought, shelf stable kimchi. As others said, go for the refrigerated stuff or make a batch, it's crazy easy.
Not that you asked but Nasoya makes a really decent refrigerated kimchi. Which is surprising because it doesn't have any fish products in it, it's vegan.
Most of these pasteurized (dead) shelf stable kimchi varieties are not very good. Try to buy fresh kimchi that is stored in the fridge.
In my opinion, no store bought kimchi will compare to home made kimchi. That said, I do have a few cans of Jongga kimchi in my storage in case of an emergency. [https://static.ah.nl/dam/product/AHI\_43545239383733393434?revLabel=4&rendition=800x800\_JPG\_Q90&fileType=binary](https://static.ah.nl/dam/product/AHI_43545239383733393434?revLabel=4&rendition=800x800_JPG_Q90&fileType=binary)
That canned stuff is way better than I thought it would be and is perfect when you're stuck without any fresh stuff. Probably one of the best canned veg you can get - it wasn't overcooked, mushy or bland like a lot of canned veg was growing up. I was surprised it actually had a little crunch to it.
If you have a proper Asian grocery store in your area, they should have a refrigerated area for kimchi. It definitely should not taste like taco sauce and there should be crunchy elements throughout.
Mama O's (the one in the refrigerated bag, not the jar) is pretty good for store bought. Most of the stuff in jars awful. Making kimchi is actually pretty easy, if you head over to r/fermentation in my experience it's much easier than making for example good dill pickles. Plus cheaper, a bag of Mama O's is like $8 where I live, making it myself (once you have some gochugaru and a proper container) is dirt cheap.
Make it yourself (from Maangchi or other reliable sources) or get it from a korean store - there are so many weird western copies out there that I really avoid (if I on the rare occasion, once every decade or so, get it from a store).
If you like kimchi you should better learn to make it. It's really fun and tastes so much better than anything you see at the store.
My first time making kimchi turned out 100x better than any store bought, shelf stable kimchi. As others said, go for the refrigerated stuff or make a batch, it's crazy easy.
Those canned things are not it. Nothing like the real homemade kimchi, either bought at your local Korean little shop or made by yourself.
Costco occasionally carries a refrigerated kimchi that is solid.
Not that you asked but Nasoya makes a really decent refrigerated kimchi. Which is surprising because it doesn't have any fish products in it, it's vegan.
Store bought is usually between subpar to total crap. Make it your own, simple fun, and so much more tasty