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Kimchi Quesadillas

[heart_this] · Aug 26, 2009 · 43 Comments

Kimchi Quesadillas

While I was researching the Kogi taco truck short rib tacos I came across the kimchi quesadillas on their menu. I am a huge fan of kimchi and I knew that I would have to try the kimchi and melted cheese combo as soon as possible! I immediately started making a fresh batch of kimchi and then I impatiently waited for it to ferment. The thing about kimchi is that the longer that it ferments the better it gets so despite the fact that you can start eating it after a few days it is best to wait a few weeks for the flavour to build up. Based on Kogi’s description and photos it looked like the kimchi quesadilla was simply filled with kimchi and cheese. I was a bit worried that the kimchi might be a bit to wet, and no one likes a soggy quesadilla, so I decided to saute the kimchi first to both reduce the moisture in it and to caramelize it a bit to add some flavour. The kimchi quesadilla was nice and easy to make and it was awesome! I cannot believe how good the warm melted cheese and caramelized spicy kimchi combo is! The kimchi was packed with flavour and the perfect amount of heat and the melted cheese held everything together and added a great texture. The tortillas were nice and golden brown and light and slightly crispy making the perfect hand holdable wrapping for the quesadillas. I garnished the kimchi quesadillas with some of the Korean style salsa roja and it added even more flavour and heat. I have to admit that I like these quesadillas so much that I have made them more than a few times already. I’m glad that I made a big batch of kimchi!

Kimchi Quesadillas

Kimchi Quesadillas

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 1
ingredients
  • 2 strips bacon (cut into 1 in pieces)
  • 1/4 cup kimchi (drained and chopped)
  • 2 tortillas
  • 2 handfuls cheese (grated, I used a combination of cheddar and jack)
directions
  1. Cook the bacon and set aside retaining the grease.
  2. Saute the kimchi in the bacon grease until it starts to caramelize, about 10 minutes.
  3. Melt a touch of butter in a pan.
  4. Place a tortilla into the pan and swirl around in the butter and set aside.
  5. Place the second tortilla into the pan and swirl around in the butter.
  6. Sprinkle on half of the cheese onto the tortilla followed by the kimchi and bacon followed by the remaining cheese.
  7. Cook until the quesadilla is golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted.
Tip: Place a plate onto the quesadilla and flipped it from the pan to the plate and then slide it back into the pan to flip the quesadilla.
Note: For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and fry the kimchi in a teaspoon of sesame oil.
Similar Recipes:
Kimchi Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Gochujang Ketchup for Dipping
Kimchi, Bacon and Shiitake Mushroom Pizza
Chicken Satay Quesadillas with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce
Pineapple Dak Bulgogi Quesadillas (Korean Spicy Pineapple BBQ Chicken Quesadillas)

6 Ingredients, Appetizer, Bacon, Food, Korean, Main Course, Mexican, Quesadilla, Recipe, Vegetable

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:18 am

    Very brave! I can't imagine cheese with any kind of Asian food at all. Those taco-truck guys are certified geniuses (or just crazy).

    Good call frying the kimchi first.

    I like how you manage to keep making interesting vegetarian dishes. That sets this blog apart from many others for me.

    Reply
  2. The Bella Girls says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:21 am

    Wow! What an bold recipe. I am interested in giving this a try, especially because I'm curious as to how the ingredients will taste when they all come together.

    ~Camberley

    Reply
  3. Amanda says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:33 am

    You constantly amaze me. So incredibly creative!

    Reply
  4. cindy* says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:36 am

    yum kevin! i love sauteed kimchi…i believe it's called kimchi bokum 🙂 very creative!

    Reply
  5. Divina Pe says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:50 am

    That's interesting. I better try that one.

    Reply
  6. Aysegul - nysdelight says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:59 am

    Very interesting!

    Reply
  7. Velva says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:04 am

    My hometown needs a Kogi Taco truck!!!

    Reply
  8. Melissa says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:36 am

    For some reason I can never gather up enough courage to try kimchi. One day though, I will. Until then, I'll enjoy looking at pictures of it. Your pictures do make it look yummy! =)

    Reply
  9. mimi says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:43 am

    Thanks for this recipe! I'm definitely going to try this. It's actually quite surprising how well cheese goes with Asian foods like cheese kimbap, cheese ramen, cheese tonkatsu, etc. Kimchi quesadillas only seem natural.

    Reply
  10. Spryte says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:20 am

    My husband would LOVE these!!

    Reply
  11. Sean says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:51 am

    When I first read this, I thought you put the kimchi between the tortillas raw but I'm glad to hear you sauteed it off before combining it with cheese.

    People might think this is weird but I've been to a bunch of Korean BBQ's where they stir fry grilled kimchi with cheese, rice, veggies and left over BBQ. Great job!

    Reply
  12. Chef Fresco says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:52 am

    I've never heard of kimchi – I need to start trying some unique cuisines so I can experiment w. this stuff!

    Reply
  13. Anh says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:15 am

    Very interesting. Somehow I think this will work!

    Reply
  14. Deborah says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:09 am

    I've never had kimchi, but I LOVE quesadillas!!

    Reply
  15. Jenn says

    August 27, 2009 at 4:55 am

    Nice job. I love kimchi. I haven't th quesdilla at kogi yet. But I surely make them at home. Yum!!

    Reply
  16. Tamar1973 says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:21 am

    I eat kimchi any chance I get. This is just another option! Yum! You should do youtube cooking videos (like I do)! : )

    Reply
  17. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:22 am

    Another great combo! I bet those quesadillas taste wonderful!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  18. Sook says

    August 27, 2009 at 6:45 am

    Okay, Kevin – Did you live in Korea for a while? Sorry, I just recently joined your blog so I don't know the detail. But you have a lot of great looking Korean recipes. That's awesome! I am Korean myself but don't know how to cook a lot of Korean food other than Kalbi and Bulgogi and few other side dishes. But I gotta say, it's impressive that you have so many great Korean style recipes.

    Sook

    Reply
  19. Nina Timm says

    August 27, 2009 at 8:59 am

    I have never had kimchi before, but it sure looks interesting…..seems we are both in quesidilla mode!!!

    Reply
  20. Tien says

    August 27, 2009 at 9:22 am

    What a great idea frying the kimchi. -Tien

    Reply
  21. ♥peachkins♥ says

    August 27, 2009 at 10:01 am

    I love quesadilla but never a kimchi fan. It look pretty but I don't know if I'm goin to like it..

    Reply
  22. Priti says

    August 27, 2009 at 10:05 am

    wow that's looks delicious…

    Reply
  23. Kevin says

    August 27, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Sook: I have not had the chance to spend time in Korea yet. I would certainly like to so that I could enjoy all of the cuisine first hand.

    Reply
  24. Cate says

    August 27, 2009 at 11:54 am

    I LOVE kimchi, and I've been thinking a lot about different ways to use it, but I've got to say this idea never crossed my mind. Definitely going to try it though!

    Reply
  25. Joanne says

    August 27, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    Yet again your originality astounds me! I really like kimchi and think that this fusion with Mexican cuisine is really great.

    Reply
  26. Pam says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    Your food ALWAYS looks amazing!

    Reply
  27. Angela says

    August 27, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    I live in LA. Your postings these past few days inspire me to hunt down those Kogi Trucks to see (eat?) what all the fuss is about! You get huge, extra points for making your own kimchi. I'm so impressed.

    Reply
  28. Zoe says

    August 27, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    wow these look awesome! So creative!

    Reply
  29. nicole says

    August 27, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    Haha! Korean TexMex, I love it! I never would've thought to do this, but it looks so good. I like that you are so creative with your recipes. Thanks for posting.

    Reply
  30. Hilary says

    August 27, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    I just ADORE kimchi. What a neat idea this is.

    Reply
  31. pigpigscorner says

    August 27, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    Great use of kimchi!

    Reply
  32. Karen says

    August 27, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    I have been reading and enjoying you blog for about a month now, and I just felt the need to comment that I find your recipes and creativity very refreshing. It's always a joy to read your next post. And you inspire me to get creative with my own cooking! Well done! 😀

    Reply
  33. Madame Fromage says

    August 27, 2009 at 10:04 pm

    Wow, I love this idea. I've never thought of cabbage tucked in a tortilla. Sounds dreamy. Great blog!

    Reply
  34. Kerstin says

    August 27, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    What a great idea to caramelize the kimchi – your quesadillas sound SO good!

    Reply
  35. Anonymous says

    August 28, 2009 at 2:35 am

    This really sounds disgusting. I follow your blog regularly and I am very impressed with all of your recipes and the background behind each of your ideas. But this caught my attention in a negative way!

    Reply
  36. secretnatasha says

    August 28, 2009 at 9:19 am

    This sounds GREAT to me! I love kimchi, and I love cheese! I'll have to try it someday.

    Reply
  37. Victor Yu says

    August 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm

    I recently came back from Korea. I never been a great fan of kimchi. It is the first time I heard of kimchi with quesadrillas, that's amazing.

    Reply
  38. Avi says

    November 30, 2009 at 6:00 am

    I like the pictures you have posted. I have been making Kimchi q-diller's for some months now . I have been using corn tortillas. Ill have to try it with flour now and see how they compare. thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  39. Kitchen Princess says

    January 16, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    Wow…I can't wait to try your recipe. I actually went to the Kogi truck last night and had the infamous Kimchi Quesadillas and they were incredible…totally worth the hype!

    Reply
  40. ugogirl says

    February 4, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    I KNEW it! I've been telling my friends for years that kimchi and cheese make a great flavor combo together. I love to top off my kimchi fried rice with cheese (mozzarella, Gruyère or cheddar)and broil it a little to have a nicely browned top. 🙂 Keep up the good work! (Your recipes look so yummy!)

    Reply
  41. LJ says

    October 18, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    I made this for lunch today, using the vegetarian option and goat cheese. It was SO amazingly fabulous! Thank you!

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    April 11, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    I'm impressed that you made your own kimchi! I hope to learn how to make my own (as a Korean American, esp). I just blogged about this recipe as well. Bacon sounds amazing addition.

    https://honeyandlimes.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/kimchi-quesadilla/

    Reply
  43. William says

    May 9, 2020 at 1:00 am

    The sauce is wrong compared to real Kogi. I used the following and it tasted more aligned to the real deal:

    2 tbsp sugar
    2 tbsp gochujang paste
    1 tbsp soy sauce
    1 tbsp water
    2 tsp sesame oil
    1/2 tbsp rice vinegar

    But don’t get me wrong. The korean salsa roja posted is amazing too!

    Reply

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