Kimchi Museum

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The Kimchi Museum was built to study the culture of kimchi, one of the most well-known of Korean foods. It also serves to provide correct information about kimchi to Koreans and foreigners. Pulmuone, Inc. originally built the museum in in Pil-dong, Jung-gu in 1986. For the 1988 Summer Olympic Games, the museum was moved to the COEX to publicize kimchi to more foreigners. The museum was moved again recently on the occasion of the 3rd ASEM meeting in Seoul (2000).

The museum prepares video materials about kimchi and opened a lecture for housewives and young people. It also collects books and articles on kimchi and has played a key role in informing people around the world about Korea's kimchi culture thorough foreign media, including New York Times and the BBC. Numerous exhibitions about special kimchi served in temples and in North Korean, the museum has helped people to understand traditional Korean food better.

The museum includes displays of historic cooking utensils, a variety of kimchi, and other materials related to making, storing, and eating kimchi, including a a special highlight about Kimjang, preparing kimchi in a special way for winter. Data on fermentation and the beneficial effects of kimchi are also on display. The library, tasting room, and kimchi shop are also helpful to helping to understand kimchi.

Exhibitions

History of Kimchi
This section shows the origin and history of kimchi. Models, books, paintings, and jars used throughout Korea's history are on display.
Types of Kimchi Visitors can see what kinds of kimchi were eaten in palaces and temples and learn how different seasonal and regional kimchi types developed.
Making and Storing Kimchi
Visitors learn about the main ingredients used in making different types of kimchi. The room also can see how people store kimchi- sheds, jars, and other containers are on display.
Nutritional Effects of Kimchi
Several documents describe the beneficial effects of kimchi on digestion and other parts of the human body. Visitors can learn about the fermentation of kimchi and its characteristics through a microscope.

jar (kimchi-dok)

jar (kimchi-dok)

jar (kimchi-dok)

jar (kimchi-dok)

storehouse

Other Facilities
Education Room and Library- The education room contains many research materials in Korean and other languages about kimchi and food preparation.
Tasting Room- After finishing the history of kimchi, visitors can taste several different types.
Shops- Visitors can buy souvenirs and kimchi.

pestle (jeolgu)

pestle (jeolgu)

jar (namudok)

jar (duiju)

jar (duiju)

Hours:
Tuesday ~ Saturday - 10:00 ~ 17:00 (Enter until 16:30)
Sunday - 13:00 ~ 17:00 (enter until 16:30)
Closed: Every Monday, New Year (Jan., 1), Lunar New Year holidays (3 days), Harvest Moon Festival (3 days), Christmas

Admission:
Adults: 3,000 won
Elementary/Junior, high school students: 2,000 won
Children 4 years old and over: 1,000 won

Directions: Subway line 2, Samseong Station, located in the second basement level of COEX Mall

jar (kimchi-dok)

jar (kimchi-dok)

jar (duiju)

jar (kimchi-dok)

Also see the Kimchi Cultural Spotlight.