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!
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.
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!
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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
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.
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.]
1. Generously butter two slices of sourdough bread. Layer the sandwich with the cheese slices and kimchi.
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.
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
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.
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.
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Kimchi Grilled Cheese
Pan-fried Kimchi Grilled Cheese is a step up from the classic grilled cheese sandwich! Melty, gooey cheese and tangy kimchi is sandwiched between two slices of buttered sourdough bread, cooked until golden-brown. No words!
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 4 slices sourdough bread
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
- 2 slices sharp cheddar cheese (or ½ cup)
- ½ cup kimchi
- 2 slices gouda cheese (or ½ cup)
Instructions
- Evenly butter the outside of 4 slices of sourdough bread. Turn the slices of bread over.
- Layer the inside of two pieces of bread with 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons of fresh kimchi, and 2 slices of gouda cheese (or cheeses of your choice). Press the sandwiches together with the other slices of bread (butter facing out).
- Heat a cast iron pan or heavy skillet on medium-high. Cook the sandwiches until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side, gently pressing with a spatula during cooking.
- Remove from pan and slice in half. (Cheese should be melty!) Serve while warm.
Notes
- You want the butter at room temperature so that it is easy to spread on the slices of bread. Alternatively, you can melt the butter in the skillet before you place the bread on top.
- You can always use whatever cheese you prefer in this sandwich, and add more cheese if you like it extra cheesy!
- Feel free to add more ingredients to your Kimchi Grilled Cheese sandwich, like honey, gochujang, avocado, and bacon. No rules!
- Make sure not to overheat the cast iron pan. You want the bread to brown slowly to give the cheese time to melt.
Watch a short video of this recipe here.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stove top
- Cuisine: Korean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 1123.2 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Carbohydrates: 73.1 g
- Protein: 20.6 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg
Keywords: kimchi grilled cheese, kimchi recipe, best grilled cheese recipe, how to make grilled cheese, grilled cheese
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
I love this unexpected combination of flavors! The kimchi went so great with the grilled cheese and I love how this came out. WIll make again.
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
It seems to be a crowd pleaser, and it's surprisingly good together! So glad you enjoyed it!
Kari Heron says
I would never have thought of combining kimchi and cheese. They seem so far from each other. But somehow you managed to unite them in perfect harmony between buttered slices of sourdough!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
Yes, this combo really works! You simply must try this Kimchi Grilled Cheese sandwich!
Ali Hanson says
I don't think it sounds weird at all. The ingredients are perfect compliments to each other!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
Yes! The tangy, cheesy combo is just perfect! Kimchi is surprisingly good in this grilled cheese sandwich!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love Kimchi so much and I am happy to learn new recipe using this. I am so excited to make this, thank you!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
If you're like me, you can never have enough kimchi recipes. I love kimchi for the taste, but also because it's just so good for you!
Stine Mari says
Mmmm the sour kimchi is in perfect balance to these two cheeses and crisp bread! Delicious!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
These ingredients work so well together in this cheesy, tangy grilled cheese sandwich! So glad you liked it!
Jere Cassidy says
Grilled cheese is my go-to comfort food and this recipe with the kimchi just sounds amazing. Trying this recipe for sure.
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
So happy to hear that, Jere! I do love this combo of kimchi and grilled cheese. It's surprisingly good!!
Ramona says
I have to say I was a little sceptical about the combination at first but I wanted to try it so I did! It was absolutely delicious and even my picky hubby loved it. Recipe saved. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
Glad you gave it a go! Spicy, cheesy, tangy, what could be better in a grilled cheese sandwich?
Marta says
This grilled cheese gives me so many good feelings. I love both recipes separately, but together they're a winner!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
This marriage of kimchi and grilled cheese is surprisingly so tasty! So glad you liked the recipe!
Brenda Samuelson says
As a fan of grilled cheese (or any cheese in general!) I cannot wait to try this cheese Asian take on this classic sandwich! Looks so yummy!!
★★★★★
Asian Caucasian says
I'm with you on the cheese, Brenda! This sammy is such a fun twist on the classic grilled cheese, and has so much flavor in just one bite!