Seoul: South Koreans are consuming significantly less kimchi than in the past despite the surge in global popularity of the country's signature side dish, data showed Sunday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a joint study conducted by researchers from Chung-Ang University, Jeju National University, and the World Institute of Kimchi revealed a notable increase in the proportion of South Koreans who reported not eating kimchi within the past 24 hours. This percentage rose from 11.7 percent in 2010 to 22.7 percent in 2024.
The study, which utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2010 and 2024, highlighted various demographic shifts in kimchi consumption. By gender, the 24-hour non-consumption rate increased from 10.2 percent to 20.6 percent among men and from 13.1 percent to 24.8 percent among women.
The decline in kimchi consumption as a side dish was observed across all age groups except for children under 10. The most significant drop was among individuals aged 20 to 39, whose consumption decreased from 82 percent in 2010 to 66 percent in 2024. Many people are now incorporating kimchi as an ingredient in other cooked dishes, such as kimchi jjigae (stew), rather than consuming it as a standalone side dish.
Socioeconomic factors also played a role in kimchi intake, with the study indicating that individuals in the lowest income group consumed more kimchi than those in the highest income bracket. The joint research team commented, "The trend observed in kimchi consumption indicates broader shifts in overall meal composition and eating habits. Public health strategies for the future should move away from simply promoting kimchi consumption and shift to encouraging more balanced diets."