Sayings on Kimchi Day

Kimchi Day

1Every November, Jin-woo's family made kimchi together in his grandmother's small kitchen. Grandma, whom Jin-woo called Halmeoni, stood at the counter with her sleeves rolled up. "Many hands make light work," she said as the whole family crowded around the table. Jin-woo's parents, his little sister Min and his cousin Dae all grabbed aprons.

2First, the heads of cabbage had to be salted. Jin-woo wanted to finish fast, so he tossed salt everywhere. A cup tipped over, and salt spilled across the floor. Jin-woo froze, but Halmeoni only laughed. "Don't cry over spilled milk," she said, handing him a broom. "Or spilled salt!"

3Next came the red paste made of pepper flakes, garlic, ginger and green onions. Min peeled her garlic so slowly that Dae began to tease her. Dae rushed through his own pile. Halmeoni shook her head and said, "Slow and steady wins the race." Min's garlic was clean and neat, while Dae's had bits of skin stuck all over it.

4When it was time to rub paste onto the leaves, Jin-woo's first cabbage looked lumpy and messy. His second one was a little better, and his third one looked just right. "Practice makes perfect," his dad said with a grin.

5By late afternoon, Jin-woo's arms were tired and his fingers smelled like garlic. "I'm beat," he groaned, flopping onto a chair. Dae had said that packing the jars would be a piece of cake, but it took them almost an hour to press every leaf down tight.

6At last, rows of shiny jars lined the shelf. Halmeoni explained that the kimchi would taste tangier after a few days. Jin-woo wanted to try it right away. "Good things come to those who wait," Halmeoni said, patting his shoulder. Jin-woo smiled. He decided that next year he would be the first one in the kitchen, ready to lend a hand.