What is the best jarred kimchi, according to chefs?

MyTastr’s top pick is Jongga Kimchi, chosen by James Park (author, Chili Crisp); Susan Choung; Alyse Whitney; JinJoo Lee (Kimchimari); Jessica Cha (Basic Sunday). All five Korean chefs and food pros named it. Lee: “Honestly, I only have one favorite kimchi brand, which is Jongga.”

What are the other top picks for jarred kimchi?

No. 2 is Tobagi Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, chosen by Deuki Hong (chef). No. 3 is Sunja’s Medium Spicy Kimchi, chosen by Belle Cushing (Bon Appétit).

How does MyTastr choose these picks?

Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot.

Best jarred kimchi, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Susan Choung, Alyse Whitney, James Park, Jessica Cha and 8 more. Recommendations come from simplyrecipes.com, seriouseats.com, thedailymeal.com and sporked.com and 2 other sources.

International Pantry · The ranking

1
Top pick
Jongga Kimchi
Chosen by
- James ParkChili crisp cookbook author
- Susan ChoungSenior food editor, Good Housekeeping
- Alyse WhitneyFood writer · ex-Bon Appétit
- JinJoo LeeKimchimari
- Jessica ChaBasic Sunday
Also chosen by
- Junghyun Park · Chef-owner, Atoboy & Atomix · NYC source ↗
- Ji Hye Kim · Chef-owner, Miss Kim · Ann Arbor source ↗
- Ariana Losch · Taste tester, Sporked source ↗
All five Korean chefs and food pros named it. Lee: “Honestly, I only have one favorite kimchi brand, which is Jongga.”
Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: simplyrecipes.com ↗
2
Tobagi Sliced Cabbage Kimchi
Chosen by
- Deuki HongChef · co-author, Koreatown
Also chosen by
- Maangchi source ↗
- Jin Li Chan · Serious Eats source ↗
- Belle Cushing · Bon Appétit source ↗
Hong recommends Tobagi “above all,” and singles out its kkakdugi. It was also the clear favorite in a Serious Eats blind tasting.
Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: seriouseats.com ↗
3
Sunja’s Medium Spicy Kimchi
Chosen by
- Belle CushingBon Appétit
Also chosen by
- Samantha Maxwell · Tasting Table source ↗
A multi-veggie kimchi that “isn’t too hot or sour—great for newbies.”
Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: bonappetit.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best jarred kimchi, according to chefs?: MyTastr’s top pick is Jongga Kimchi, chosen by James Park (author, Chili Crisp); Susan Choung; Alyse Whitney; JinJoo Lee (Kimchimari); Jessica Cha (Basic Sunday). All five Korean chefs and food pros named it. Lee: “Honestly, I only have one favorite kimchi brand, which is Jongga.” Source: simplyrecipes.com ↗
What are the other top picks for jarred kimchi?: No. 2 is Tobagi Sliced Cabbage Kimchi, chosen by Deuki Hong (chef). No. 3 is Sunja’s Medium Spicy Kimchi, chosen by Belle Cushing (Bon Appétit). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?: Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

More international pantry

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