Kimchi Grilled Cheese

Name: Kimchi Grilled Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Ingredients: 4 slices sourdough bread; 2 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature; 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese (or 1/2 cup); 1/2 cup kimchi; 2 slices gouda cheese (or 1/2 cup)

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Pan-fried Kimchi Grilled Cheese is a level up from your classic grilled cheese sandwich! Melty, gooey cheese and tangy kimchi is sandwiched between two slices of crusty sourdough bread, cooked until golden-brown. No words!

A stacked kimchi grilled cheese sandwich on a wooden board with a jar of kimchi and potato chips on the side.

Kimchi in a grilled cheese sandwich? YES! It tastes so, so good! The kimchi cuts through the richness of the cheese, and adds tangy and spicy flavors to this epic grilled cheese recipe.

Kimchi in a clear bowl with a bottle of Kimchi and a pair of chopsticks on the side.

What is kimchi?

Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish made of pickled and fermented vegetables, usually with Napa cabbage and daikon radish. Other ingredients in kimchi often include garlic, ginger, sugar, fish sauce, and red pepper flakes.

Kimchi has been a staple in Korean households for centuries. It's often used as a condiment, a recipe ingredient, a dip, or a side dish on its own. And, best of all, kimchi is so good for you!

Jump to:

What is kimchi?
Ingredients you'll need for this grilled cheese
Substitutions and additions
How to make kimchi grilled cheese (quick and easy)
Storage
Common FAQ's
Want more korean-inspired recipes?
Recipe notes
Kimchi Grilled Cheese

Know what else is good with kimchi? Mac and Cheese! Creamy Kimchi Mac and Cheese is comfort food in its purest form. This melty, cheesy recipe is a winner dinner the whole family will love!

Ingredients you'll need for this grilled cheese

This grilled cheese sandwich recipe is a no-brainer! And, it requires very few ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

[*See recipe card for quantities.]

sourdough bread
salted butter
sliced cheddar cheese
kimchi
sliced gouda cheese

A round sourdough bread on top of a wooden cutting board with a bread knife and linen napkin on the side.

Making homemade sourdough bread is not as hard as you might think. Nothing tastes better than this kimchi grilled cheese made with right-out-of-the-oven, crusty sourdough bread! Learn how with this beginner sourdough recipe!

Substitutions and additions

Bread - you can always use another crusty, artisan bread, like ciabatta or brioche.
Cheese - feel free to use any melty cheese of your choice, like havarti or gruyere. And use more if you like it extra cheesy!
Add more ingredients - you can get creative with this grilled cheese sandwich! Try adding some Korean gochujang, avocado slices, bacon, or green onions. There are no rules!
Vegan - you can make this recipe vegan by using oil instead of butter, and vegan cheese that will melt. Choose a vegan kimchi that does not contain fish or shellfish.

A golden grilled cheese sandwich sliced in half on a wooden board with potato chips and a cutting knife on the side.

How to make kimchi grilled cheese (quick and easy)

This is literally the easiest sandwich to make! You'll be taking your first bite out of this melty, gooey Kimchi Grilled Cheese in less than 15 minutes!

[*See recipe card for detailed instructions.]

Two slices of buttered sourdough bread on top of a wooden cutting board with a butter knife and pat of butter.

1. Generously butter two slices of sourdough bread. Layer the sandwich with the cheese slices and kimchi.

A golden grilled cheese sandwich in a cast iron pan with a spatula on the side

2. Press the sandwich together, and pan-fry in a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.

3. The sandwich should be golden brown on both sides and cheese melted through.

A woman's hand holing up half of a kimchi grilled cheese sandwich with potato chips on the side.

4. Ready to eat! Serve with a side of your favorite chips or Asian Slaw!

HELPFUL HINT: Make sure not to overheat the pan. You want the bread to brown slowly to give the cheese time to melt.

Storage

Store-bought kimchi will last in the fridge for a few months. Keep it fresh in a tight jar.

Common FAQ's

Is kimchi good for you?

Yes! Kimchi is a source of probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that offer a number of health benefits, and can help maintain a healthy gut.

What goes well with kimchi?

Kimchi's tangy, spicy, and savory notes can go with almost anything, like soups, stews, noodles, and fried rice. You can dress up so many dishes with kimchi!

Want more korean-inspired recipes?

If you liked this Kimchi Grilled Cheese recipe, you're going to want these delicious Korean-inspired dishes too!

Cauliflower Kimchi Fried Rice
Creamy Kimchi Mac and Cheese
Hot Dogs with Kimchi Slaw
Korean Sweet Potato Noodles with Beef
Instant Pot Korean-Inspired Pulled Pork
Baked Korean Chicken Wings

"The first time I tried this Kimchi Grilled Cheese recipe I nearly died and went to heaven! Kimchi really is the star ingredient in this yummy sandwich."
-- Sheryl D.

Recipe notes

You can always use whatever cheese you prefer in this sandwich, and add more cheese if you like it extra cheesy!
You want the butter at room temperature so that it's easy to spread on the slices of bread. Alternatively, you can melt the butter in the skillet before you place the bread on top.
Feel free to add more ingredients to your Kimchi Grilled Cheese sandwich, like honey, gochujang, avocado, or bacon. It's all good!
Make sure not to overheat the cast iron pan. You want the bread to brown slowly to give the cheese time to melt.

Update Notes: This post was originally published on January 25, 2021, but was republished with slight text changes and additions, like step-by-step instructions, new images, and tips, in March 2023.