Add spicy kimchi to your grilled cheese sandwich for a twist on the classic griddled sandwich. The fermented vegetables add a tangy flavor to the cheesy sandwich.

Spicy Kimchi Grilled Cheese Recipe


Kimchi grilled cheese is a sandwich consisting of bread, cheese, and Korean kimchi. [Kimchi](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips) is a Korean side dish made from salted, seasoned, and fermented vegetables—most commonly Napa cabbage with radishes, green onions, and gochugaru, or red pepper flakes. You can find kimchi in many Asian restaurants and grocery stores. To make kimchi grilled cheese, griddle the sandwich until the bread toasts and the cheese melts. The addition of kimchi gives the sandwich an [umami](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking) flavor.
Follow these tips to make the best kimchi grilled cheese:

1. __Add protein__. To make the sandwich more filling, add meat. Cooked bacon, sliced ham, or shredded chicken are popular additions to grilled cheese sandwiches.
2. __Griddle the sandwich low and slow__. Avoid increasing heat when griddling the sandwiches—the bread will toast too quickly, and the inside will still be cold. Cook the grilled cheeses over medium heat to ensure even cooking. If the bread still toasts too quickly, reduce to medium-low heat.
3. __Moderate the spice__. Some kimchi is spicier than others. Taste the kimchi before adding it to your sandwich to ensure the heat level is to your liking. For an added kick, you can spread a layer of [gochujang](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gochujang-recipe) (Korean red chili paste) on the bread during sandwich assembly.
4. __Use the right bread__. You can use soft sandwich bread or chewy, rustic sourdough bread. The key is to use slices of bread that are no more than half-inch thick. This will ensure the cheese fully melts before the outside of the sandwich burns.
Add spicy kimchi to your grilled cheese sandwich for a twist on the classic griddled sandwich. The fermented vegetables add a tangy flavor to the cheesy sandwich.

Kimchi grilled cheese is a sandwich consisting of bread, cheese, and Korean kimchi. <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-kimchi-easy-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"Kimchi","category":null}'>Kimchi</a> is a Korean side dish made from salted, seasoned, and fermented vegetables—most commonly Napa cabbage with radishes, green onions, and gochugaru, or red pepper flakes. You can find kimchi in many Asian restaurants and grocery stores. To make kimchi grilled cheese, griddle the sandwich until the bread toasts and the cheese melts. The addition of kimchi gives the sandwich an <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-umami-learn-about-umami-and-how-to-incorporate-umami-flavors-in-your-cooking","linkCopy":"umami","category":null}'>umami</a> flavor.

What Is Kimchi Grilled Cheese?

Follow these tips to make the best kimchi grilled cheese:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Add protein. To make the sandwich more filling, add meat. Cooked bacon, sliced ham, or shredded chicken are popular additions to grilled cheese sandwiches. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Griddle the sandwich low and slow. Avoid increasing heat when griddling the sandwiches—the bread will toast too quickly, and the inside will still be cold. Cook the grilled cheeses over medium heat to ensure even cooking. If the bread still toasts too quickly, reduce to medium-low heat. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Moderate the spice. Some kimchi is spicier than others. Taste the kimchi before adding it to your sandwich to ensure the heat level is to your liking. For an added kick, you can spread a layer of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gochujang-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/gochujang-recipe","linkCopy":"gochujang","category":null}'>gochujang</a> (Korean red chili paste) on the bread during sandwich assembly. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Use the right bread. You can use soft sandwich bread or chewy, rustic sourdough bread. The key is to use slices of bread that are no more than half-inch thick. This will ensure the cheese fully melts before the outside of the sandwich burns. </li></ol>

4 Tips For Making Kimchi Grilled Cheese

Easy Kimchi Grilled Cheese Recipe

Add spicy kimchi to your grilled cheese sandwich for a twist on the classic griddled sandwich. The fermented vegetables add a tangy flavor to the cheesy sandwich.

Add spicy kimchi to your grilled cheese sandwich for a twist on the classic griddled sandwich. The fermented vegetables add a tangy flavor to the cheesy sandwich.
