Museum Kimchikan — Attraction in Seoul

The Kimchi Field museum gives you all the information on the best this shriveled, salted, spiced concoction can be. There's the pony tail variety, the white, the light, the spiced - even the water version rates a mention. The museum is up the stairs and starts on level one - admission isn't free but worthwhile. You can don a hanbok here - such as my lovely wife did. (She's the caucasian one in red.) and get your Seoul city on. Kimchi means a lot to Koreans. This place gives you an idea of why. Kimchi is the ultimate expression of what makes Korea unique and that's not overstating the point. If you know the taste, you'll know what I mean. And if you don't I strongly recommend seeking some of the delectable preserved vegetable out. Yes it's spicy, yes it smells slightly off - but it does things to your insides you wouldn't expect. Namingly it DOESN'T give you a stomach ache in spite of containng chilli and fermented fish and other assorted ingredients. In fact, Kimchi aids digestion in much the same way as the proprietary pro-biotics you can buy in a chemist but is just a whole lot cheaper. It's the fermentation process that creates the unique cultures of lacto-bacillus (read as good bacteria) that makes the red and orange staple so good for you. Koreans eat it with every meal because it really does make a wonderful addition. There really ought to be a government initiative to get a tub of Kimchi in every household fridge in Australia...

The Kimchi Museum in Insadong is a delightful and compact museum that offers an immersive journey into the history, culture, and art of Korea’s most iconic dish—kimchi. Despite its modest size, the museum is packed with fascinating exhibits that showcase the rich heritage and significance of kimchi in Korean cuisine and daily life.

Visitors can explore the origins of kimchi, its evolution through different historical periods, and its role in Korean traditions. The museum also highlights the incredible variety of kimchi, with displays featuring the diverse ingredients and regional specialties that make each type unique.

One of the museum’s standout features is its interactive exhibits, which engage visitors of all ages. You can participate in hands-on activities like kimchi-making workshops, where experts guide you through the process of preparing this flavorful dish. It’s a fun and educational experience that allows you to connect with Korean culinary traditions on a deeper level.

Additionally, the museum offers free samples of freshly made kimchi, giving visitors the chance to taste the distinct flavors and textures that make it so beloved. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of kimchi or a curious first-timer, the museum provides a perfect blend of education...

Very entertaining, small museum on the history, production and variety of kimchi (fermented vegetables) on three floors (4th - 6th floor of the building!). The interactive presentations make it an exciting experience for children too. For adults who expect more than just the basics of the production process and variety, it lacks a bit of depth, one would wish for more detailed explanations in some places, but the presentation is overall very aesthetic, appealing and catchy. On the fourth floor there is a cash register and a small museum shop, as well as most of the exhibits. A very brief section on the origins and history of kimchi. Two tables with interactive projections where you can virtually make different types of kimchi step by step, excellently made 3D plastic reproductions of typical kimchi dishes and a replica of a small kimchi garden... On the 5th floor there is a small gallery with very nicely made paper replicas of different kimchi dishes, a small collection of books about kimchi, some of which are in different languages, and a cold room with an impressive collection of real kimchi varieties in large storage jars. On the 6th floor there is a small tasting room where you can try miniature portions of 3 different types of kimchi and a large kitchen where you can make your own kimchi under instruction on certain days if you book in advance.

Don't expect too much background information about kimchi here, but enjoy the entertaining and aesthetically very appealing introduction.

Unfortunately, the place is a bit difficult to find, as there are hardly any signs of the museum on the ground floor of the building. You have to find the elevator between restaurants and shops that leads to the fourth floor to get to the museum. Sehr unterhaltsam gemachtes, kleines Museum zu Geschichte, Herstellung und Varianz von Kimchi ( fermentierten Gemüsen) auf drei Etagen (4.-6.Stockwerk des Gebäudes!). Die interaktiven Präsentationen machen es auch für Kinder zum spannenden Erlebnisort. Für Erwachsene, die mehr als nur die Basics von Herstellungsprozess und Varianz erwarten, fehlt es ein bisschen an Tiefe, man wünscht sich an einigen Stellen mehr weitergehende Erläuterungen, aber die Präsentation ist insgesamt sehr ästhetisch, ansprechend und eingängig gemacht. Im vierten Stockwerk befinden sich Kasse und ein kleiner Museumsshop, sowie der größte Teil der Ausstellungsstücke. Ein sehr kurz gehaltener Teil zu Entstehung und Geschichte von Kimchi. Zwei Tische mit interaktiven Projektionen, an denen man virtuell Schritt für Schritt verschiedene Sorten Kimchi herstellen kann, hervorragend gemachte 3D Plastikreproduktionen von typischen Kimchigerichten und die Nachbildung eines kleinen Kimchigartens… Im 5. Stock eine kleine Galerie mit sehr hübsch gemachten Papiernachbildungen von verschiedenen Kimchigerichten, eine kleine Sammlung, sogar teils verschiedensprachiger Bücher über Kimchi und ein Kühlraum mit einer beeindruckenden Sammlung echter Kimchivarianten in großen Vorratsgläsern. Im 6. Stock ist ein kleiner Verkostungsraum, in dem man Miniaturportiönchen 3 verschiedener Kimchisorten probieren kann und eine große Küche, in der man nach Voranmeldung an bestimmten Tagen unter Anleitung auch selbst Kimchi herstellen kann. Man sollte hier nicht zu viel Hintergrundinformation zu Kimchi erwarten , sondern die unterhaltsame und ästhetisch sehr ansprechend gemachte Heranführung genießen.

Leider ist der Ort etwas schwer zu finden, da sich im Erdgeschoss des Gebäudes kaum Hinweise auf das Museum finden lassen. Man muss zwischen Restaurants und Geschäften den Aufzug finden, der in den vierten Stock führt, um zum Museum...