Bossam Kimchi (Wrapped Kimchi)

Bossam kimchi, also called “bokimchi”, is the most unique kimchi in this list for both its preparation and its ingredients. This kimchi is well known for being the most elegant kimchi out there, with fine ingredients such as pine nuts, jujubes, seafood, and pears wrapped beautifully into a big bundle with napa cabbage leaves and served in a bowl. It became especially popular in the Gaeseong area (Gyeonggi-do Province) of North Korea, where good quality cabbage was grown in the old days.

To make bossam kimchi, you have to prepare a lot of fine ingredients as listed above. Even the cabbage leaves used for making this kimchi have to be Gaeseong cabbage leaves, which are much wider than other varieties. The process of making this kimchi is also different. After soaking the leaves in salt water, Korean stuff into them a filling of all sorts of fine nutricious ingredients mixed with gochugaru, fish sauce, and saeujeot. Afterward, they use another leaf to cover the whole thing, wrap it into a big bundle, and served in a bowl. Because of the nutritious filling, this kimchi is also well known for being the most nutritious kimchi.

Bossam kimchi is more expensive than other types of kimchi, and is usually served for special occasions and holidays.