Korean kimchi has been around for at least 1500 years, so, unsurprisingly, there are now more than a hundred variations. It is a versatile food offering a delightful dining experience with several health benefits as well.-By JOHN JACOBS

When you buy kimchi at an international market or order it at a restaurant, did you know you were diving into Korean food culture? The food is so respected and appreciated in Korea that an annual kimchi communal cultural festival (called kimjang) is held each fall. Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from salted and fermented vegetables. It was developed thousands of years ago as a way to ferment and store an abundance of veget....