Kimchi is a representative dish of Korea. Thus, kimchi, which represents Korea,  has now become a popular dish around the world. The spread of Hallyu (Korean Wave), represented by K-Pop and K-Drama, and the study results indicating kimchi helps to boost your immune system are promoting consumption of Korean kimchi.

#Kimchi, Emerged as a Dish for the World
In 2020, approximately USD 230 million worth of kimchi were exported worldwide. This is an increase of 34.2% from the previous year. This export trend continued into this year. Kimchi exports in the first quarter of this year reached USD 46.6 million, up 53.3% from the same period last year.
Of all the various reasons why Korean kimchi was chosen by the world, it has been analyzed that it was because consumers’ interest in health and immunity was high due to the spread of COVID-19. As kimchi, which is fermented food, was recognized as a healthy food that boosts immunity, it is chosen by people all over the world. Plus, the influence of Hallyu is a factor in having kimchi perceived as a representative of K-FOOD. It appears that these factors will continue for the time being, and an increasing trend of exports of Korean kimchi is also expected to continue.

#Kimchi, Entered as a Healthy Food for Japanese Consumers
Japan is a major importer of Korean kimchi, accounting for 53% of exports of Korean kimchi in the first quarter of this year. Thus, the reason for the love of Japanese consumers for Korean kimchi is the efficacies of kimchi. Particularly in the COVID-19 era, the efficacies of kimchi are receiving even more attention. 
In fact, the research team led by Jean Bousquet, a professor of pulmonary medicine at the University of Montpellier in France, announced that kimchi was the reason why Korea had fewer deaths from the COVID-19 infections. Thus, as it was made aware that kimchi’s beneficial bacteria and metabolites, generated in the fermentation process, help boost immunity, kimchi consumption in Japan is increasing.
Hence, owing to such merits of kimchi, which is a fermented food, there has been a recent increase in the number of Japanese consumers who eat dishes made with sour kimchi. For example, the representative dishes made using sour kimchi include  Kimchijjigae (Kimchi Stew) and Dubukimchi (Bean Curd with Stir-fried Kimchi).
Jang Seo-gyeong, the director of Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) Japan regional headquarters, explained “Korean kimchi is well known to consumers that it’s easily found in retail stores in Japan. Recently, the popularity of Korean kimchi has increased due to the reports in Japan that fermented foods help strengthening immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

#Kimchi Evolves into Various Consumption Patterns
American consumer’ love for kimchi is no exception. Exports of Korean kimchi to the United States are increasing steeply. Exports of Korean kimchi to the United States were USD 23 million last year, up 56% from the previous year. In the first quarter this year, exports of Korean kimchi to the U.S. were USD 8.5 million, up 80.6% compared to the same period last year.
In the U.S. as well, due to COVID-19 ongoing since last year, with the spread of the recognition that kimchi is beneficial, and boosts immunity, the demand for kimchi has been analyzed to have increased. In addition, another reason for the raised degree of recognition for K-FOOD is the spread of Hallyu such as K-Pop and K-Drama. This is because, with the spread of Hallyu, more American consumers are visiting Korean restaurants; also, kimchi served as a side dish at Korean restaurants naturally allowed more consumers to try kimchi.
One of the characteristics of the demand for kimchi in the U.S. is that kimchi is used in various local dishes. For example, kimchi seasoning is added to barbecue sauce, or kimchi is used as an ingredient for tacos.
Han Man-woo, the Director of aT Los Angeles Branch Office, said “Kimchi is a fermented food and it’s good for health. And the effects of its being slow food and high in immunity are creating synergy. Moreover, various attempts are being made to use kimchi in local dishes in the U.S., raising the awareness of Korean kimchi.”