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    Home » Kimchi dishes

    Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    Published 03/28/2016. Updated 01/09/2023

    Jump to Recipe

    Nabak kimchi is a type of water kimchi that’s made with thinly sliced radish squares and other vegetables. It is easy to make, yet deliciously refreshing!

    DSC3896 5 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    When I visited my parents the other day, they were making this nabak kimchi (나박김치). It’s definitely one of their favorite kimchi dishes! Nabak kimchi is a type of water kimchi that’s made with thinly sliced radish squares and other vegetables.

    It is easy to make, yet deliciously refreshing! The name of the kimchi stems from the way the radish is cut for this kimchi. Cutting into small, thin squares is called nabak sseolgi (나박썰기). Sseolgi refers to a cutting technique. Watching them make it, I realized I had not made this kimchi for a while, so I decided to make it for the blog!

    DSC 1138 e1459217147234 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    Nabak kimchi is commonly enjoyed in the springtime when the kimchi made in the fall gets old. It’s also a traditional holiday kimchi. Growing up, we always had nabak kimchi with tteokguk (rice cake soup), which is a New Year soup. They are delicious together!

    This water kimchi is a mild, clean tasting kimchi, so it doesn’t call for fish sauce or salted shrimp. If you’ve been looking for a vegan kimchi, here’s one for you!

    The radish and cabbage squares are lightly salted and then mixed with all other ingredients.

    The water is seasoned with salt, and colored lightly with gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes) through a strainer or cheesecloth to keep the kimchi broth nice and clean.

    The garlic and ginger are thinly sliced, rather than minced, again to keep the broth clear.

    DSC3901 3 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    The addition of Korean pear is traditional, but an apple is also commonly used. The fruit gives the kimchi a slight fruity sweetness. Minari (water dropwort), which is a crisp herb with a distinct taste, is also traditional and adds a delicately pleasant flavor to the kimchi.

    DSC 1104 e1459218467926 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    For more Korean cooking inspirations, follow along on YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

    DSC3896 5 300x300 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)

    4.91 from 11 votes
    Side Dish
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24
    Print Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 pound Korean radish, mu (무)
    • 12 - 16 ounces napa cabbage (baechu, 배추) -- inner yellowish leaves
    • 1 to 1.5 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red chili pepper flakes) Adjust to taste
    • 1 medium carrot
    • 1/2 Korean pear or apple
    • 3 thin scallions
    • 8 stalks of minari - optional
    • 5 plump garlic cloves, thinly sliced
    • 5 thin ginger slices, about 1 inch rounds
    • Salt
    • 1 gallon airtight container or jar

    Instructions

    • Clean the radish by scrubbing with a brush and/or scratching off the stubborn impurities with a small knife. Do not peel the skin. Cut into about 1-inch thick discs. Cut each disc into 3 pieces, and then slice thinly into about 1-inch squares, placing in a large bowl.
      DSC 1060 e1459135763770 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)
    • Rinse the cabbage leaves a couple of times. Cut each leaf lengthwise into 1-inch wide pieces, and then crosswise into about 1-inch pieces. Add to the bowl with the radish. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of salt, and toss well to evenly distribute the salt. Let it sit until wilted, about 30 minutes. Do not drain or rinse.
      DSC 1074 768x514 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)
    • In a small bowl, soak the gochugaru in 1/2 cup of warm water.
    • To cut the carrot into flower shapes, cut 3 to 4 ”‘V” shape grooves lengthwise, and then cut into thin slices. Or simply slice crosswise into thin rounds. Cut the pear into about 1-inch squares. Cut other vegetables into about 1-inch lengths. Add to the bowl with the salted radish and cabbage.
      DSC 1079 e1459135475679 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)
    • In a large bowl, dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 10 cups of water. Strain the soaked gochugaru into the water through a fine mesh.
      DSC 1093 768x514 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)
    • Pour the broth over the salted radish and cabbage mix and stir well to combine everything. Adjust the seasoning to taste if necessary. The combined broth should taste slightly too salty to eat as is. The saltiness will reduce as the kimchi ferments. It will actually be easier to handle if you place the salted radish and cabbage along with its liquid in the container or jar first, and then add the broth with gochugaru.
      DSC 1094 768x514 - Nabak Kimchi (Water Kimchi)
    • Keep it in an airtight container or jar. Leave it out at room temperature for a day or two before storing in the fridge. The kimchi can be eaten within a few days. Stir to the bottom each time before taking some out to serve.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @koreanbapsang or tag #koreanbapsang!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barbara Martin says

      August 08, 2024 at 2:23 pm

      Can the brine be reused?

      Reply
    2. Liz says

      May 16, 2024 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks delicious. Do you have a salt you would recommend to use for this recipe? I have a H-MART by me so I can get Korean salt. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        November 13, 2024 at 10:52 am

        Oh sorry I missed your question until now. Please see it here: https://www.koreanbapsang.com/korean-pantry-seasoning-ingredients/

        Reply
    3. Frances H. Ennis says

      October 16, 2021 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      I am new to this site but have been a kimchi ‘maker’ for several years now. Love some of your advice. It’s really sound, even to an OLD(?) kimchi maker, hehe (that’s me). The nabak kimchi is new to me, tho; soo, I plan on making some next week. Heeere’s to kimchi making…it’s really fun, good stuff, too.

      Reply
    4. Skim says

      June 14, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      Hello!
      I am planning on making this for my kids this week! Can I leave out the gochugaru? Will it make a big difference in taste?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        June 16, 2021 at 11:13 am

        That is totally fine! No it won’t make a big difference other than the spiciness.

        Reply
    5. Caramaharaa says

      March 20, 2021 at 3:50 pm

      I usually end up w more veggies than I would like—and not enough brine—to add to the amount of brine in an already open jar- can you add water and maybe leave it out again? Thank you-love the recipe!

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        March 20, 2021 at 8:52 pm

        Yes you can. If your kimchi is already ripe, you probably don’t need to leave it out again. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    6. Patty says

      August 14, 2020 at 5:02 pm

      What is minari and where can I buy it?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        August 15, 2020 at 6:28 pm

        Minari is water dropwort, aka Korean watercress. They are available at most Korean markets during the warm weather months.

        Reply
    7. janet Myers says

      August 24, 2019 at 1:43 pm

      no chapsal garoo?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        August 26, 2019 at 1:00 am

        Not necessary for this.

        Reply
    8. Alexandra says

      June 25, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      I made this recipe, and the jar broke the next day so it started leaking. I had to change it to another jar, should I put in the fridge right away or can I keep it for a few more days in the counter? It’s winter here, so it’s been reaaally cold.

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        June 26, 2019 at 1:26 am

        If you keep it outside in the cold, that’s fine. But, I would not recommend keeping it at room temperature for a few days depending on how warm the room is. A couple of days maybe, and then put in the fridge. Slower fermentation is better for kimchi. Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. Sharon says

      November 26, 2017 at 5:05 pm

      Since this is refrigerated could it be warmed or is it best as a cold dish?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        November 26, 2017 at 5:08 pm

        Yes it’s best as a cold dish.

        Reply
      • Antara says

        July 21, 2020 at 10:53 pm

        Is it ok to use a plastic lock box or does it have to be a glass jar

        Reply
        • Hyosun says

          July 21, 2020 at 11:52 pm

          Sure! It doesn’t have to be a glass jar.

          Reply
    10. Rachel says

      October 31, 2017 at 10:40 am

      this is one of my favourite foods when I go to Korea and I want to make it at my home in England but I think the radishes will be diificult to find – I live in a very small village in a very quiet county! But looking at your recipe I can remember the delicious refreshing taste.

      Reply
    11. Marcia says

      November 30, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      How long can this be kept in the refrigerator? Can I cook the cabbage in this type of kimchi like I would with regular kimchi (stewed with pork or kimchi fried rice)?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        November 30, 2016 at 10:47 pm

        It will keep well for a few weeks. Water kimchi is not good for cooking. That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in a stew or fried rice, but the result will be quite different from using the regular kimchi.

        Reply
    12. kimkim says

      June 20, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      amazing . love it alot.

      Reply
    13. Virginia says

      May 03, 2016 at 1:48 pm

      Can I use daikon instead of the mu?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        May 03, 2016 at 11:01 pm

        a slight difference in taste and texture, but you can use it. Enjoy!

        Reply
    14. Monique says

      April 15, 2016 at 5:40 am

      Can I leave out the carrots because of food allergies?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        April 16, 2016 at 9:21 am

        Definitely! The carrot is more for color so it won’t make a big difference. Enjoy!

        Reply
    15. kero says

      April 14, 2016 at 4:28 pm

      I love this in the summer – cold and refreshing! Love the crunch of the veggies and, of course, slurping up the broth. ^^ TY for the recipe!

      Reply
    16. Tina says

      April 07, 2016 at 2:21 pm

      Do you use coarse Korean sea salt or just table salt?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        April 12, 2016 at 10:38 pm

        You’re using the salt only to season and not going to wash the cabbage and radish afterwards. So use regular salt you use to season your food. Enjoy!

        Reply
    17. Vera says

      March 29, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      Do you leave this out on the counter? and for how long?

      Reply
      • Hyosun says

        March 29, 2016 at 9:00 pm

        Yes, leave it out at room temperature for a couple of days. I will add that to the recipe.

        Reply
    4.91 from 11 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    Hi! I'm Hyosun, and I am a Korean-American mom of two wonderful grown-up children. Here, you will learn how to cook Korean dishes the way we Koreans traditionally eat at home. Read More...

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