Kimjang Festival

The UK’s first Kimjang Festival is a celebration of the Korean fermented spicy dish.

At the Kimjang festival there will be kimchi demonstrations, free kimchi making sessions led by Chef Yim, kimchi exhibitions, a talk by nutritionist Clemence Cleave, chances to sample a variety of kimchi, including cod radish kimchi, a film and photography exhibition and a selection of stalls selling Korean food and drink, followed by live entertainment including traditional music and K-Pop performances.

Kimjang is where villagers gather in late autumn/early winter to make kimchi for the months ahead. At these communal get-togethers recipes are passed down through families, typically from one generation to the next, newcomers might also introduce their own village recipes and the older residents get to make their kimchi first.

The practice is still widespread in both North and South Korea, and sharing the kimchi ensures that everyone in the community has food to sustain them through the winter.

There are around 45,000 Koreans living in the UK, with over 20,000 living in the New Malden suburb of London.

PROGRAMME ON THE DAY

New Malden High Street 11am to 4pm

Kimchi tasting, street market including Korean food and drink stalls, photographic exhibition

St George’s Square Midday to 4pm

Kimchi demonstrations and kimchi making classes at 1pm and 3pm and at 2pm, there is a children’s session.

Methodist church 1pm to 3pm

Talk about the nutritional value of kimchi by Clemence Cleave, reducing food waste, exhibition of various types of kimchi
from the South and North Korea and Korean Chinese communities ,kimchi exhibition and Korean costume experience

Methodist church 4.30pm to 6pm

Live entertainment including K-Pop and traditional music.

Children’s treasure hunt.