Perilla leaf kimchi (kkaennip kimchi) is commonly eaten in Korea. Learn how to make this authentic summer kimchi using and fresh chilies, onion, and carrot. The step-by-step instructions will guide you to make this fragrant kimchi easily at home.

Kkaennip Kimchi is a popular summer kimchi made with perilla leaves.

If you like Korean Kimchi and want to expand your taste bud for a new experience, try this Perilla Leaf Kimchi (Kkaennip kimchi, 깻잎김치). Perilla leaves are coming from made with Perilla plant.

Perilla Leaf Kimchi is commonly eaten in the summer time everywhere in Korea, or anywhere Koreans dwell. Nowadays, you can find these precious Perilla leaves in most Korean grocery stores during summer.

I bet Mr. Kim and Mrs. Lee in your neighborhood, or maybe Dr. Choi, your friendly dentist, might have this Kkatnip Kimchi on their dinner table this weekend.

Yup! I had this kimchi and my Nuhbiani (Easy Royal Korean Beef) last night, and I was in the pure heaven.

Perilla Leaves

Here is a beautiful portrait of Kkaennips! They are packed in with Vitamin C and fiber. They are fragrant herbs, somewhat similar to mint and basil. Some love the fragrance and some don’t. But if you love basil, you won’t have problem getting used to the fragrance of these beautiful leaves. You can even make Pesto sauce with them and it is delicious.

Perilla Leaves FAQs

What is the difference between Perilla leaves and sesame leaves

Perilla leaves are often called as wild sesame leaves in Korea. In Korean cuisines, sesame leaves are not used for cooking. Only the fruit of sesame plants, which we know as sesame seeds, are used. On the other hand, perilla leaves also produce similar fruits (seeds) from the plant. Both perilla seeds and leaves are used in Korean cooking.

What do perilla leaves smell like?

Perilla leaves are herb and belong to the mint family. Therefore, it does have a unique but subtle scent in the leaves. The scent is cross between mint and basil.

What can you substitute for perilla leaves in Korean cooking

Unless the perilla leaves are the main ingredient in the dish, such as perilla kimchi or perilla side dishes, you can omit them. In most cases, perilla leaves are added to lettuce wraps to go with Korean BBQ.

Koreans like to pickle these leaves as well, but today, I am going to share with you how to make Kimchi with them. Simply delicious!!!

How To Make Perilla Leaf Kimchi

Duration 45 minutes.

  1. Clean perilla leaves throughly

    Perilla leaves need to be cleaned thoroughly. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of baking soda and let them soak in the water for 5 minutes, then rinse in the running water several times. That will give you peace of mind.Soak perilla leaves in water with a little bit of baking soda

  2. Use a salad spinner to get rid of moisture

    Salad spinner is a quick way to get rid of moisture from the perilla leaves; set aside.periila leaves with salad spinner

  3. Prepare anchovy stock

    Simmer dried anchovies with sea kelp in water for 5 minutes. Let it cool.anchovy stock simmered with sea kelp

  4. Kimchi seasoning Ingredients

    These are what you need to make the seasoning for perilla kimchi.
    Anchocy saucem Korean soup soy sauce, Korean corn syrup (optional), sugar, sesame seeds, Korean chili flakes, onion, garlic, fresh red chili, carrot.
    Perilla kimchi seasoning ingredients

  5. Julienne vegetables. Finely chop chili and garlic

    Julienne carrot and onion, and mince garlic and chilies finely.

  6. Make kimchi seasoning paste.

    Mix together sauces, chili flakes, sugar, corn syrup (if using), garlic, chilies, and sesame seeds. Add the 1/2 cup of reserved anchovy stock, and mix. The paste will be a little runny.Mix perilla kimchi seasoning

  7. Assemble perilla kimchi

    Stack 2-3 perilla leaves on top of each other, spread a spoonful of kimchi seasoning on a top perilla leaf. (No need to spread on every leaf)How to assemble perilla leaves to make kimchi

  8. Repeat the layer

    Add a few slices of carrot and onion on top of seasoning and repeat the process.Perilla kimchi making

  9. Transfer into a kimchi container

    Stack them as a few bunches in a container. Add 1/4 cup of remaining stock to the leftover seasoning, swirl around, and pour over Kkaennip leaves.Pour the rest of kimchi seasoning to perilla kimchi

  10. Press down with a spoon

    Gently press your leaves with a spoon to get the air out.
    Get the air out of kkatnip kimchi

How To Store Kkaennip Kimchi

Kkaennip kimchi (perilla kimchi) is packed together in a glass container.

You can eat right away with some rice or wait for one day to enjoy slightly fermented flavor.

After one day of room temperature fermentation, keep them in the fridge. They will last for at least two month, but I believe you will finish off in the next few days.

Perilla leaf kimchi is served over rice

Wrap around some rice with a leaf, and savor all the summer flavors mingling on your tongue. Enjoy!

Check out more Kimchi Recipes; A few of my favorite summer kimchi are:


Perilla Kimchi is topped with spicy chili sauce with carrot and onion slices.
Perilla Kimchi is topped with spicy chili sauce with carrot and onion slices

Perilla Leaf Kimchi (Kkaennip Kimchi)

Learn how to make authentic Korean Perilla leaf Kimchi (Kkaennip Kimchi) using and fresh chilies. It's an easy kimchi for kimchi lovers
5 from 1 rating

Ingredients

For anchovy stock

Instructions 

  • Clean perilla leaves in water thoroughly. Drain well to remove excess water. (Use a salad spinner if you own)
  • To make the anchovy stock, simmer together anchovies and sea kelp in water for 5 minutes. Discard the anchovies and sea kelp, reserve the stock.
  • In a small mixing bowl combine chopped fresh chilies, Korean chili flakes, fish sauce, soy sauce for soup, sugar, corn syrup (if using), garlic, and sesame seeds. Add 1/2 cup of anchovy stock to the mixture and stir well. The seasoning paste will be runny.
  • Place two perilla leaves stack together on the shallow plate (I use a glass pie dish) spread 1 teaspoonful of seasoning paste around on top of leaf. Sprinkle a few slices of onion and carrots on top. Place another 2-3 leaves on top and spread the seasoning paste and vegetables again; repeat the layers. You don't need to spread the seasoning on every leaf, just on every 2-3 leaves. Place perilla kimchi in an airtight container.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of remaining anchovy stock to the seasoning paste, swirl around, and pour over the leaves. Press down gently with a spoon.
  • Let the kimchi sit on the room temperature for 1 day and store in the fridge afterwards. Serve with rice as a side dish.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @beyondkimchee on Instagram. I love to see your masterpiece.