The kitchen of Seven Star Pocha Chinatown was abuzz with excitement as they launched Grandma’s Traditional Kimchi Making Masterclass Series. This series was hosted by owner Hong Kim and guided by the Kim family’s grandmother, a Kimchi-making expert from Korea.
Kimchi is a staple in Korean cuisine, and making it is both an art and a science. The ingredients are simple – cabbage, radish, garlic, ginger, and chilli pepper – but the process is complex and requires time, patience, and skill. The tradition of making kimchi started as a way to ferment and store vegetables during the cold winter when many Koreans died of starvation. It is now the most ubiquitous side dish on a Korean table every day and a long-standing way of passing on cultural heritage, with each family having their own unique way of making kimchi.
Seven Star Pocha is located in Melbourne’s Chinatown and is spacious, with ample room for the participants and the ingredients in Grandma’s Kimchi Masterclass Kitchen.
The atmosphere in the kitchen was fun and the participants were taking Grandma’s instructions seriously as some were invited to get involved. She is a master chef with years of experience, and her expertise was evident in the way she handled the ingredients, mixing them with precision and care. As Grandma works, she explains the process step by step, making sure everyone understands the intricacies of making kimchi.
Hong Kim, the owner of Seven Star Pocha Chinatown, is also on hand to assist and offer his expertise, having formerly worked at Taxi Kitchen and Crown restaurants. He is passionate about Korean cuisine and is committed to preserving the traditional methods of making kimchi.
Seven Star Pocha in Chinatown is a hive of activity and is perfect for those who love traditional Street Style Korean food. This new Chinatown restaurant celebrates Korean culture and cuisine and is already making its name as one of the city’s best. Open until late, it’s the perfect stop for a late-night bite.
By Melinda Sullivan.
