KIMCHI CLUB
HEALTHY KOREAN FOOD FOR EVERYONE
April 10, 2024
Kimchi Club is a noteworthy example of women coming together to make a positive impact in their community. Minka Park, the founder of Kimchi Club, arrived in Australia in 2000 as a mature student with limited English proficiency. Her encounter with a group of Korean women in Australia inspired her to create a business that offered job opportunities to non-English speaking women.
Minka's passion for Korean food and culture led her to share her recipes with friends and neighbours, who were eager to learn more. Given the importance in Korean culture of kimchi as a staple dish and the labour-intensive process of making it, she named her business Kimchi Club. This club consists of women who prepare authentic Korean foods in Australia using locally sourced organic ingredients tailored to Australian tastes.
Following the launch of Kimchi Club, its growth occurred naturally, driven primarily by word-of-mouth recommendations and local engagement. Minka's interest in weekend farmers' markets inspired her to source fresh, locally grown organic produce for her business. This effort attracted inquiries from local organic stores seeking to become stockists, expanding her distribution channels, with Kimchi Club products now being enjoyed right across Australia.
At Kimchi Club, they prioritise crafting food products with real ingredients using traditional methods. Their products are made in small batches, by hand, and sourced locally. Minka and her team believe that promoting locally made, nutritious foods can contribute to individual well-being and the local economy while fostering sustainability. Their close ties with the local community, farmers, suppliers, and customers enable them to consistently deliver high-quality products.
“prioritise crafting food products with real ingredients using traditional methods”
Kimchi Club offers a diverse range of products, including seven varieties of kimchi, ranging from non-spicy to spicy options, and innovative creations like Beet Kimchi and Radish Kimchi. They have recently introduced two new flavours: Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi (mild spice) and Traditional Napa Cabbage Vegan Kimchi (mild spice).
“made in small batches, by hand, and sourced locally”
As Kimchi Club gained recognition within the community, Minka expanded the product line to include four varieties of naturally fermented condiments: Fermented Garlic, Fermented Ginger, Fermented Chilli and Fermented Horseradish. These condiments undergo a natural fermentation process without added sugar, vinegar, dairy, or oil, offering a longer shelf life and easy integration into various dishes.
Kimchi Club also offers Bulgogi Sauces, suitable for stir-fries, dipping sauces, and creative culinary experiments. Available in three varieties, these sauces cater to different tastes.
Kimchi Club's core belief revolves around creating healthy, delicious, and accessible food products. Their offerings are organic, paleo-friendly, free from gluten, dairy, added sugar, or preservatives, and offer vegan options. By promoting diverse, natural wholefood ingredients and encouraging wild fermentation, Kimchi Club supports a healthier gut microflora.
With the community embracing Kimchi Club's traditional Korean products, Minka is introducing a new range of Traditional Napa Cabbage Kimchi products, including a vegan-friendly option without fish sauce, tailored to Australian tastes. Additionally, they are working on locally sourced almonds soaked and flavoured with their fermented condiments.
Kimchi Club's products have earned praise from customers for their authenticity, quality, and flavours. If you're interested in exploring Korean cuisine in a healthy and enjoyable way, Kimchi Club offers a compelling choice.