Norwich's The Kimchi adds popular Korean dish to its menu

The Kimchi opened in Brigg Street in October 2019 and has quickly become one of the city’s most loved restaurants.  

Owners Junghee Park, 53, who is known as Joanne and her husband Bongha Kim, head chef love sharing their most favourite food with customers at their restaurant.

Toppoki is almost a nationwide addiction in South Korea (Image: The Kimchi)READ MORE: The best lunch spots in the city chosen by readers

Joanne said: “I love everything on our menu as they are what I love to eat as a Korean.  

“Of course, Toppoki is one of my favourites though – I love it because it reminds me of my childhood, I would always order a portion from the street vendors when I lived in South Korea.  

“The way we serve it in our restaurant is exactly as it was when I was young. 

Owners have fond memories of eating this from vendors in South Korea when they were growing up (Image: The Kimchi)

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“If you want to learn more about South Korean cuisine – start with Toppoki.” 

But many city folk will not know what Toppoki is – it is a dish made with chewy rice cakes, smothered in a sweet and spicy Gochoojang based sauce, which is traditional Korean chilli paste.  

Joanne said: “South Koreans love it so much because it is so warm and spicy, therefore so comforting.  

The restaurant has a big menu allowing people to try South Korean cuisine (Image: The Kimchi)

“It is like 'a nationwide addiction'.” 

Though it is described as a love or hate thing for city folk due to the unfamiliar texture of it.  

“But if you love texture in your dishes with a bit of kick, toppoki will be right up your street. 

Korean fried chicken is one of their most popular menu items. (Image: The Kimchi)

“The cooking process is quite simple. 

“You start off my softening the rice cakes in boiling water, then you add the chilli paste, soy sauce and sugar to your liking – that's it.” 

The Kimchi has a wide selection on its menu. 

Owners say if you want to know more about South Korean cuisine, start with Toppoki (Image: The Kimchi)

Joanne said: “Our fried chicken dishes are super popular, as well as our dolsot bibimbap – there is so much Korean cuisine to try.” 

Evening News reporter Sophie Skyring put Toppoki to the test:  

They have been to The Kimchi on many occasions and likes to try the new items on the menu.  

She said: “Most recently I tried Kimichi Jeon, which is a Korean pancake packed with Kimchi, which was lovely and a flavour I have not tried before.  

“But the Toppoki is what really blew me away, and I have found myself craving it.  

“It’s unlike anything I have tried before, it’s super chewy but has a nice amount of spice to it – I found it quite a task to pick them up with my chopsticks which I am almost certain is due to my lack of skill.  

“But I think they are definitely worth a try – all the staff we spoke to we really keen to share their love for the dish with us, so I will definitely be ordering it again.” 

Evening News reporter Sophie Skyring thinks it is definitely worth a try as it's as addictive as owners say it is (Image: The Kimchi)