Korean groceries

I'm in the mood to make some kimchi jjigae tonight, and I need some supplies. Unfortunately, my nearby Asian foodstuff supplier (International Club on 40th and Pulaski) does not seem to stock any Korean products. OK, there's one or two, but no kimchi, no Korean spice pastes, etc.

Does anybody know a spot, preferably south of Roosevelt, that would have a decent selection? I need some kimchi, some gochujang (red pepper paste), and perhaps I'd like to pick up some of those fermented bean curd pastes that are used in Korean cuisine.

If there's nothing this far south, I'm happy to hop on the Kennedy and head out towards Lawrence Ave., but I would need suggestions for groceries out there as well.

If you decide to come up to Lawrence, check out New Chicago Kimchee.

Best,
Michael

I don't know if New Chicago Kimchi stocks dweonjang or gochujang, although the kimchi is supposed to be good (as you'll see from the post referenced above). If you want to avoid 2 stops, you can find the dweonjang and gochujang at Arirang Supermarket, along with kimchi (back corner of the store, cash only at the kimchi stand). I like the kimchi, better than at Chicago Food Corporation, the other choice for Korean supermarkets in the city (not counting Super H, since it's in Niles).

Arirang Supermarket
4017 W Lawrence

Hope your kimchi jjigae cravings get sated tonight - I made a big pot on Sunday and have had it for breakfast the last couple of days!

-gtgirl

Thanks for the recommendations. I actually went to both places (figured, might as well since I'm in the neighborhood). The folks at Chicago Kimchi were great and very helpful. They got out the older kimchi from the back for the jjigae. It looked so good, I couldn't help but crack it open in the car. Next thing I know, at every stop light I'm opening the jar for just one more bite of the sour-and-spicy garlicky goodness. I'm not a kimchi expert by any stretch, but this stuff was more addictive than usual: had a pleasant and lively lactic punch to it.

Arirang was great, too, and I managed to find all the pastes I needed. I just need someone in the know to go with me there next time, because they had all sorts of leaves and vegetables I'm not familiar with, and I was deathly curious to find out what it all was.

gtgirl wrote:I made a big pot on Sunday and have had it for breakfast the last couple of days!
-gtgirl

Wow... for breakfast no less... hardcore...

Jay K wrote:

gtgirl wrote:I made a big pot on Sunday and have had it for breakfast the last couple of days!
-gtgirl

Wow... for breakfast no less... hardcore...

Just remember, traditionally, there's no difference in what's served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in Korea. Ok, my parents can't stomach it, but somehow, for me, it just hits the spot on a cold day!

-gtgirl