Fermented Fun: Chefs Get Creative with Kimchi

From neighbourhood cafés to the top tables in town, Australian chefs are getting creative with kimchi. Here we’ve unearthed eight of our favourite kimchi creations across the country, including Kimchi Cocktails, Kimchi Burgers and Kimchi Hotdogs.

St Ali, South Melbourne VIC

Esteemed South Melbourne coffee house St Ali adds flair to its café menu with a dash of Korean kimchi, stirred through silky scrambled eggs, or layered in a soft white roll with pork belly and coriander.

Pope Joan, Brunswick VIC

In Melbourne’s north, cool café Pope Joan will get your weekend off to a flying start with a Kimchi Mary—their punchy Korean take on a Bloody Mary, made with gin, kimchi juice, tomato juice, lime and shichimi togarashi pepper.

Ms G’s, Potts Point NSW

Mod Asian diner Ms G’s, from the goal-kicking Merivale stable, showcases the fermented funk of kimchi in its bo ssam dish of Crispy Pork Hock with Apple Kimchi, Five-Flavour Sauce, Lettuce and Herbs.

Juicy Lucy, Surry Hills NSW

Even takeaway chicken joints are getting in on the kimchi action. At Juicy Lucy in Surry Hills, zero in on the massive Lil Kim Burger, crammed with golden fried chicken, spicy kimchi, crunchy slaw and sweet barbecue sauce.

Bills, Bondi Beach NSW

Alongside Bills’ iconic Ricotta Hotcakes and Scrambled Eggs, find the Crisp Fried Rice with raw vegetables, kimchi and a chilli fried egg, or the flavour-packed Crab and Kimchi aArancini (golden risotto balls).

NeNe Chicken, Perth WA and Melbourne VIC

With five locations in Western Australia and Victoria, NeNe—meaning ‘Yes Yes!’—brings kimchi and Korean fried chicken to the masses. Order the Kimchi Burger with a fried hunk of juicy chicken, salad and bulgogi dressing, or the Kimchi Wrap with soft-shell crab, creamy ranch dressing and salad.

Chur Burger, Fortitude Valley QLD

At popular Chur Burger in Brisbane, tuck into a crispy Pork Taco with cucumber kimchi, black vinegar caramel and the crunch of puffed wild rice.

Red Hook, Brisbane QLD

For a mod Korean take on the classic hot dog, try the Seoul Dog at Red Hook—a wicked combination of kransky sausage, kimchi, daikon radish, mayonnaise and gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes).