Add spicy kimchi to your grilled cheese sandwich for a twist on the classic griddled sandwich. The fermented vegetables add a tangy flavor to the cheesy sandwich.
Learn From the Best
What Is Kimchi Grilled Cheese?
Kimchi grilled cheese is a sandwich consisting of bread, cheese, and Korean kimchi. Kimchi is a Korean side dish made from salted, seasoned, and fermented vegetables—most commonly Napa cabbage with radishes, green onions, and gochugaru, or red pepper flakes. You can find kimchi in many Asian restaurants and grocery stores. To make kimchi grilled cheese, griddle the sandwich until the bread toasts and the cheese melts. The addition of kimchi gives the sandwich an umami flavor.
4 Tips For Making Kimchi Grilled Cheese
Follow these tips to make the best kimchi grilled cheese:
- 1. Add protein. To make the sandwich more filling, add meat. Cooked bacon, sliced ham, or shredded chicken are popular additions to grilled cheese sandwiches.
- 2. Griddle the sandwich low and slow. Avoid increasing heat when griddling the sandwiches—the bread will toast too quickly, and the inside will still be cold. Cook the grilled cheeses over medium heat to ensure even cooking. If the bread still toasts too quickly, reduce to medium-low heat.
- 3. Moderate the spice. Some kimchi is spicier than others. Taste the kimchi before adding it to your sandwich to ensure the heat level is to your liking. For an added kick, you can spread a layer of gochujang (Korean red chili paste) on the bread during sandwich assembly.
- 4. Use the right bread. You can use soft sandwich bread or chewy, rustic sourdough bread. The key is to use slices of bread that are no more than half-inch thick. This will ensure the cheese fully melts before the outside of the sandwich burns.
Easy Kimchi Grilled Cheese Recipe
makes
2 sandwichesprep time
5 mintotal time
15 mincook time
10 minIngredients
For the kimchi:
For the grilled cheese:
- 1
In a medium nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped kimchi and brown sugar; cook, stirring frequently, until the kimchi becomes caramelized and crispy in spots, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with pepper.
- 2
Remove the kimchi mixture and wipe the skillet clean.
- 3
Layer two slices of bread with the kimchi mixture, scallions, American cheese, and Gruyère cheese. Top the sandwich bottoms with the remaining bread slices.
- 4
Spread butter or mayonnaise over the outside top and bottom of the sandwich. Sprinkle lightly with sesame seeds.
- 5
Heat the same skillet over medium heat. Add the sandwiches and cook, flipping halfway, until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown on both sides, 6–8 minutes total.
- 6
Cut the sandwiches in half and serve immediately.
Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Roy Choi, Niki Nakayama, Gabriela Cámara, Yotam Ottolenghi, Michael W. Twitty, Mashama Bailey, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, and more.