Kimchi of My Life

I grew up eating kimchi, but I didn’t really like it when I was a kid. Maybe it was because it was always on our table—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I wanted sausage, bulgogi, or chicken. I wanted more meat, but those foods were more expensive. Kimchi also isn’t exactly the most kid-friendly food, especially with its strong, spicy, and sour flavors.

Now, I love kimchi and honestly can’t imagine living without it. There’s even a song called Can’t Live Without Kimchi. I still sing it sometimes, and I can’t believe I remember some of the lyrics.

I never thought I would write something about kimchi in my life. It always seemed too ordinary—something so common that I never thought there was anything particularly special about it. But as I’ve gotten older and had more time to think about it, I’ve realized that kimchi is much more than just a side dish.

It’s one of the foods that keeps me deeply connected to my culture. There are so many different ways to make it, prepare it, and eat it. It can be enjoyed on its own, with rice, in soups and stews, or as part of countless other dishes.

Kimchi is much more special than I ever realized. I’ve probably eaten more kimchi than any other food in my entire life. What once seemed so ordinary has become something I truly appreciate—and something that reminds me where I come from.

And yes, I still sing that song sometimes: 김치주제가 / 정광태 1985 (Can’t Live Without Kimchi).