Talk about making kimchi at home.

In Korea, it's a tradition for people to gather in November to make kimchi. This is called gimjang,
and it's a pretty big deal at the end of the year. Family members and neighbors get together to
make kimchi. Making kimchi is very labor-intensive. First, cabbage must be salted. Meanwhile,
radishes are chopped up and mixed with garlic, ginger, red pepper powder, and other
seasonings. This is the kimchi filling. It is spread out between the cabbage leaves. The fresh
kimchi can be eaten right away. This is called geotjeori. Otherwise, it can be matured for a
while. Kimchi made this way is stored in kimchi refrigerators for several months. It is eaten all
winter long. These days, many people buy ready-made kimchi at stores quite often. However,
gimjang is still a Korean tradition.

[Extra Topics for Study Groups]

1. Do you make kimchi, or buy it? Why?

2. Do you think gimjang kimchi is delicious? Why or why not?

3. Do you have a kimchi refrigerator? If so, why do you use it?

[Key Vocabulary & Expressions]

a pretty big deal 상당히 큰 일

get together 모이다

labor-intensive 손이 많이 가는

be salted 소금에 절여지다

be chopped up 다져지다, 채 썰어지다

seasoning 양념

filling 속

be spread out 퍼지다

right away 곧바로

be matured 숙성되다

kimchi refrigerator 김치 냉장고

all winter long 겨울 내내

ready-made 미리 만들어진

[Pattern Practice]

1. a pretty big deal 상당히 큰 일

■ Making kimchi is a pretty big deal at the end of the year.

■ For me, this is a pretty big deal.

■ Moving to a new house is a pretty big deal.

2. labor-intensive 손이 많이 가는

■ Making kimchi is very labor-intensive.

■ It's easy to learn, but it's very labor-intensive.

■ I was too tired to do any labor-intensive work.

3. be salted 소금에 절여지다

■ First, cabbage must be salted.

■ It will stay fresh for a longer time if it is salted.

■ Ham is pork that has been salted.

4. be matured 숙성되다

■ Kimchi can be matured for a while.

■ The cheese will taste better after it has been matured.

■ The dough has to be matured before you bake it.

5. ready-made 미리 만들어진

■ Many people buy ready-made kimchi at stores.

■ I sometimes eat ready-made meals at convenience stores.

■ Instead of ready-made furniture, I like to build my own.

[Speaking Tips]

be matured
숙성되다

발효를 하기 위해 식품을 숙성시키는 것은 여러 단어로 표현된다. 그중 mature, age, cure 등의 표현

을 가장 많이 사용한다. 다만 cure 의 경우 보통은 소금에 염장을 한 후에 숙성시키는 것을 뜻하는
경우가 대부분이기 때문에 약간의 차이가 있다.

예) This cheese has been matured for two years. (이 치즈는 2 년이나 숙성시킨 거야.)

Cured meat stays fresh longer. (소금에 절여 숙성시킨 고기는 더 오랫동안 신선하게 유지된다.)

[Expression of the Day]

It's mouthwatering.

정말 군침 돌아.

A: My mom made some kimchi. Would you like some?

B: Of course! I love your mom's kimchi.

A: Really? I didn't know you liked it so much.

B: It's mouthwatering.

A: 엄마가 김치를 만드셨는데. 좀 나눠줄까?

B: 물론이지! 나 너의 어머니 김치 진짜 좋아해.

A: 그래? 그렇게 좋아하는 줄 몰랐네.

B: 정말 군침 돌아.

[Homework]

1. 나는 피곤해서 미리 조리된 음식을 먹었다. (ready-made)

2. 과거에는 대부분의 고기가 소금에 절여졌다. (be salted)

3. 나는 손이 많이 가는 일을 해서 피곤했다. (labor-intensive)

4. 직장에서의 진급은 상당히 큰 일이다. (a pretty big deal)