In the midst of the Korean War’s desolation, a narrative has unfolded around the humble yet mighty dish: kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish that consists of salted and fermented vegetables, most commonly using napa cabbage or Korean radish. This dish can be traced back around 4,000 years and has become a symbol of resilience among Korean families. As families salt the cabbage and spice it with gochugaru, there is a parallel drawn between the preservation of food and the preservation of spirit. This fermented delicacy, a staple in Korean cuisine, has become a shining symbol of endurance and psychological strength amid war and famine. 

Amidst the hardships of war, where food was scarce and futures were uncertain, kimchi stood out not just as a nutritional staple but as a beacon of hope. It was this very dish that helped families survive the war and the cold. Psychologically, the preparation and consumption of kimchi acted as a comforting ritual—a reminder of home and normalcy. 

The process of making kimchi, particularly through the communal tradition of 김장, or kimjang, reveals the layers of resilience embedded within Korean culture. In this tradition, families and communities gather to salt cabbage and season it with vibrant gochugaru, often surrounded by large bowls and hands encased in Barbie-pink rubber gloves. Beyond its role in food preparation, kimjang acts as a vital social glue that binds communities together through shared labor, stories, and ultimately, shared meals. This ritual is so vital to South Korea’s identity that UNESCO added the tradition to its representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity (Kimchi, 2016). 

These culinary practices also intersect with psychological theories such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which states that needs lower in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs high up. From the bottom upwards, the needs include: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Kimchi, in this context, transcends its basic physiological need and actually addresses needs for belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. The act of making kimchi, preserving family recipes, and more all become a source of purpose and identity, elements that are foundational to resilience. 

Kimchi, a humble side dish, is a testament of psychological resilience, culture, community, and pride. In the personal narrative of my family, the tradition of making kimchi carries its own unique testament to resilience and love. My grandmother, with her skilled hands and years of experience, prepares a specific type of kimchi that, despite my mother’s earnest attempt, cannot be replicated. When my mother makes kimchi for us, she engages in a laborious process—salting each layer of the cabbage, carefully applying the seasonings, then waiting for the fermentation to work its magic. This grueling yet loving preparation is more than just a tradition; it represents love, cultural heritage, and the resilience passed down through generations.  

Sources: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/08/22/489805398/how-south-korea-uses-kimchi-to-connect-to-the-world-and-beyond

Photo Credit: Ann Young-Joon

Written by

Eliana Jeong

Eliana Jeong, senior, enjoys reading, writing, and watching plays/musicals. She does archery competitively and also plays the cello. She looks forward to delving deeper in her passion for Psychology and Political Science. She is the co-president of Diffusion, and hopes to learn more about the world of Humanities.