Best Kimchi UK 2025: Complete Buying Guide & Reviews
Your complete guide to buying kimchi in the UK. Compare supermarket options, discover artisan producers, and find out where to get the best authentic kimchi.
Looking for the best kimchi to buy in the UK? Whether you're a kimchi newcomer curious to try this Korean superfood or a seasoned fan searching for an authentic taste, this guide will help you find exactly what you're looking for.
We've tested kimchi from major supermarkets, speciality shops, and artisan producers to bring you honest reviews and recommendations. From budget options at Tesco to premium artisan brands, here's everything you need to know about buying kimchi in the UK.
Supermarket Kimchi in the UK
The good news: you can now buy kimchi in most UK supermarkets. The bad news: quality varies significantly. Here's our honest assessment of supermarket kimchi options:
Tesco Kimchi
Products available: Lucky Foods Traditional Kimchi, Tesco own-brand kimchi (varies by store)
Price: £2.50-£4.00 per jar (typically 215-330g)
Location: World foods aisle or Asian foods section
Our verdict: Tesco's kimchi offerings are decent entry-level options. The Lucky Foods brand is reasonably authentic, though it's pasteurised so lacks live probiotics. The flavour is mild compared to traditional Korean kimchi, making it good for beginners but potentially disappointing for kimchi enthusiasts.
Best for: First-time kimchi triers, convenience, budget-conscious shoppers
Rating: 3/5
Sainsbury's Kimchi
Products available: Yutaka Kimchi, occasional seasonal options
Price: £2.80-£3.50 per jar
Location: Asian foods aisle
Our verdict: Sainsbury's stock is inconsistent - you'll often find they're out of kimchi entirely. When available, Yutaka kimchi is acceptable but quite mild and lacks the depth of properly fermented kimchi.
Best for: Convenience when other options aren't available
Rating: 2.5/5
Waitrose Kimchi
Products available: Varies - often includes more premium brands
Price: £3.50-£5.00 per jar
Location: Asian foods or fermented foods section
Our verdict: Waitrose typically stocks better quality kimchi than other supermarkets. You're more likely to find authentic Korean brands and sometimes even unpasteurised options. Worth paying the premium if you want better flavour and potentially live cultures.
Best for: Those who want better quality without visiting specialist shops
Rating: 3.5/5
M&S Kimchi
Products available: Seasonal, limited availability
Price: £3.50-£4.50
Our verdict: M&S occasionally stocks kimchi as part of their Korean food range. Quality is generally good, but availability is unpredictable. Worth picking up if you spot it.
Best for: Opportunistic purchases when spotted
Rating: 3/5
Asda Kimchi
Products available: Basic options, varies by store
Price: £2.00-£3.00
Our verdict: Asda's kimchi is the most budget-friendly but also the least authentic-tasting. It's heavily pasteurised and quite mild. Fine for trying kimchi for the first time, but not representative of what good kimchi should taste like.
Best for: Absolute beginners on a tight budget
Rating: 2/5
Korean & Asian Supermarkets
For the best selection and most authentic kimchi, visit Korean supermarkets:
H Mart
Locations: New Malden (London), with more stores planned
Selection: Excellent - fresh kimchi made in-store, multiple jarred brands, various types including kkakdugi, oi sobagi, and more
Price range: £4-£12 depending on type and size
Why visit: H Mart's fresh kimchi section is outstanding. They often have kimchi made that day, which tastes infinitely better than jarred supermarket options. This is where local Korean families shop.
Oseyo
Locations: Multiple across London (Centre Point, Soho, Stratford, etc.)
Selection: Good range of Korean kimchi brands
Price range: £4-£10
Why visit: Convenient locations in central London. While not as comprehensive as H Mart, they stock authentic Korean brands.
SeeWoo
Locations: Glasgow, London (Greenwich, Chinatown)
Selection: Solid range of Korean and Chinese fermented products
Price range: £3-£8
Why visit: Great for one-stop Asian grocery shopping. Good online delivery options too.
Wing Yip
Locations: Birmingham, Manchester, London (Croydon), Cricklewood
Selection: Good range of Asian foods including Korean kimchi
Price range: £3-£8
Why visit: Large stores with excellent selection of Asian ingredients.
Buy Kimchi Online UK
Can't get to a Korean supermarket? These online options deliver quality kimchi to your door:
Kimchi Quest (Our Pick)
Website: Shop now
What we offer: Small-batch, traditionally fermented kimchi made in the UK. Unpasteurised with live cultures, using authentic Korean methods and quality ingredients.
Price: From £8.50 per jar
Delivery: UK-wide
Why choose us: Fresh, probiotic-rich kimchi made with care. We use traditional fermentation methods, quality British and Korean ingredients, and never pasteurise - so you get maximum flavour and health benefits.
Sous Chef UK
Website: souschef.co.uk
Selection: Curated range of premium kimchi and Korean ingredients
Price range: £5-£12
Delivery: UK-wide, fast shipping
Why choose: Excellent for premium, hard-to-find Korean ingredients. Good quality kimchi selection.
Amazon UK
Selection: Wide range including Korean imports, varying quality
Price range: £3-£15
Why choose: Convenience and fast Prime delivery. Be careful to check reviews as quality varies widely.
Japan Centre
Website: japancentre.com
Selection: Japanese and Korean foods including kimchi
Price range: £4-£10
Why choose: Reliable quality and good selection of Asian foods.
UK Artisan Kimchi Producers
For the very best kimchi, seek out small-batch artisan producers. These makers typically use traditional methods, quality ingredients, and don't pasteurise their products:
Kimchi Quest
Our own small-batch kimchi, handmade using authentic Korean methods. Fresh, unpasteurised, and bursting with probiotics. View our range.
Eaten Alive
Scottish producer making raw, living fermented foods including excellent kimchi.
Loving Foods
Organic, raw, unpasteurised kimchi made in the UK. Certified organic ingredients.
Vadasz
Award-winning Hungarian-British producer with interesting kimchi varieties.
Hurly Burly
London-based fermenters making small-batch kimchi and other fermented foods.
What to Look For When Buying Kimchi
Pasteurised vs Unpasteurised
This is the most important distinction:
- Unpasteurised (raw): Contains live probiotic bacteria, better flavour, needs refrigeration
- Pasteurised: Heat-treated, shelf-stable, no live cultures, often milder taste
If you want the health benefits of probiotics, choose unpasteurised kimchi. Look for phrases like "live cultures," "raw," "unpasteurised," or "contains live bacteria" on the label.
Ingredients
Good kimchi should contain:
- Napa cabbage (Chinese leaf)
- Salt
- Gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) or chilli
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Fish sauce or seafood (unless vegan)
Avoid kimchi with:
- Artificial preservatives
- Added sugars (small amounts are OK)
- Artificial colours
- Too many unfamiliar additives
Storage
Where is the kimchi stored in the shop? Quality unpasteurised kimchi should be refrigerated. Shelf-stable kimchi has been pasteurised.
Date
Fresh kimchi (recently made) tastes different from aged kimchi. Neither is better or worse - it depends on preference. Fresh kimchi is crunchier and milder; aged kimchi is more sour and softer.
Price Comparison
| Source | Price per 100g | Quality | Probiotics? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco | £1.00-1.50 | Basic | No |
| Sainsbury's | £1.00-1.30 | Basic | No |
| Waitrose | £1.30-1.80 | Good | Sometimes |
| Korean supermarket | £1.50-2.50 | Excellent | Often |
| Artisan (UK made) | £2.50-4.00 | Premium | Yes |
| Kimchi Quest | £2.80-3.50 | Premium | Yes |
FAQs
Where can I buy kimchi near me?
Most Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose stores stock kimchi in the Asian foods aisle. For better quality, search for Korean supermarkets in your area or order online.
Is supermarket kimchi healthy?
Supermarket kimchi is generally pasteurised, so it lacks the probiotic benefits of fresh kimchi. It still contains nutrients from the vegetables, but for maximum health benefits, choose unpasteurised options.
Why is good kimchi expensive?
Quality kimchi requires time (fermentation takes days to weeks), good ingredients (authentic gochugaru, quality fish sauce), and skill. Mass-produced supermarket kimchi cuts corners on all three.
Can I buy vegan kimchi in the UK?
Yes! Many UK artisan producers make vegan kimchi. Check labels carefully - traditional kimchi contains fish sauce. Look for "vegan" on the label or check our vegan kimchi recipe to make your own.
Our Recommendation
For the best kimchi experience in the UK, we recommend:
- Best overall: Kimchi Quest - fresh, unpasteurised, UK-made
- Best for convenience: Waitrose or H Mart
- Best budget option: Tesco Lucky Foods
- Best for variety: H Mart New Malden
Ready to taste the difference? Shop our range of traditionally fermented, probiotic-rich kimchi - delivered fresh to your door.
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