Hello, I’m Blonde Kimchi.

From Seoul to Europe

I was born and raised in Seoul and recently moved to Europe. That’s when I realized something important: The Korean food people eat abroad is often very different from what Koreans actually cook at home.

I started Blonde Kimchi to prove them wrong.

Many trending online “Korean recipes” aren’t truly Korean. For example, Koreans never add Gochujang to Kimchi Jjigae but many Google recipes do. Seeing this, I wanted to show the world what real Korean home cooking tastes like. So I started Blonde Kimchi to share authentic Korean flavors with everyone, everywhere.

Real Korean Taste, Made Simple

My mission is to help you experience true Korean flavor, even in a Western kitchen. My focus is on using ingredients you can actually find, including simple substitutions when necessary, so you can enjoy genuine K-food wherever you are.

Most Koreans cook fast and simple meals because life is busy. That’s the style of Korean cooking I share: quick, approachable, and genuinely Korean.

From Tradition to Trend: Food in K-Culture

Korean cuisine isn’t only Kimchi, Bulgogi, and Japchae. Beyond traditional recipes, I will introduce you to the trendy recipes loved by Koreans and people globally, such as Rosé Tteokbokki and Cheese Corndog. I’ll show you how to make them simply, with the exact flavor you’d get in a Seoul restaurant.

K-Food Meets K-Culture

Korean cuisine is more than just food. It’s part of the culture. We will explore dishes featured in K-Dramas and K-POP artist, and by looking at the culture behind the food, the taste becomes deeper.

Bringing Seoul to Your Kitchen

Wherever you live, I hope my recipes bring you closer to Korea! Join Blonde Kimchi and experience the authentic taste of Korea, no matter where you are in the world!

I believe Korean food doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs to be real.

Explore The Recipes New? Start here!

Must Try Recipes

More Favorites

Get to Know Me

go-to coffee order

iced matcha latte

Couldn’t live without

kimchi

All Time Favorite meal

hoe(sashimi)

I’d rather be

at tasty food places

My Favorite Memory

making kimchi with my family

Take my money

best seafood

You can always find me

in a café

On Repeat

Black Pink

FAQ

I’m currently living in Belgium! Being here is actually what inspired the blog. I realized how hard it can be to find specific Korean ingredients in European supermarkets, so I started developing recipes that work with what you can find locally, whether you’re in Brussels, Berlin, or Boston.

Not at all! One of my main goals is to show you how to cook Korean food using ingredients found in standard Western grocery stores. I always provide substitutions for hard-to-find items.

Definitely not! While we love our spice (hello, Buldak!), many classic dishes like Bulgogi, Japchae, and Gomtang (Bone Soup) are savory, sweet, and mild. I have plenty of non-spicy options on the blog.

Yes! That is my specialty. Check out my “As Seen On TV“ category. If I haven’t made it yet, send me a DM on Instagram and I’ll put it on the list!

It’s a fun little nod to my life bridging two worlds. It represents the mix of my authentic Korean roots (“Kimchi”) with my life here in the West (“Blonde”). It’s about keeping the soul of the food authentic, even if the setting (and the hair color!) changes.

My rice cooker. It’s the heartbeat of my kitchen. But do you need one to start? No. You can absolutely make perfect rice in a regular pot (and I have a guide for that!). Don’t let a lack of gadgets stop you from cooking.

I’m human, too! On lazy nights, it’s usually Gyeran Bap (Egg Rice)—it takes 5 minutes, uses soy sauce and butter, and tastes like a hug. Or, let’s be real, a pack of spicy Ramyeon with a slice of cheese on top.

I do the cooking, but my boyfriend is the Chief Taste Tester (and the dishwasher!). We make sure nothing goes to waste. If it’s on the blog, it means we ate it, loved it, and probably fought over the leftovers.

Shop My Favorites

Shop my curated collection of tools, pantry staples, gadgets, and decor that I use and love in my own kitchen.

Visit the Shop