SuLee Kimchi is a new brother and sister run business providing easily accessible, fresh Korean kimchi across the GTA.
Named after their mother, who passed in 2018, the sibling duo aims to keep her memory alive through pursuing a venture in the culinary world, one she was so fond of. SuLee was a professional cook of over 30 years, passionate about Korean cuisine––she owned her own restaurant in the Yonge and Finch area in the past. Her daughter Su Jin Won takes after her mother with her adoration for cooking, with almost 30 years of experience in kitchens, one being her own sushi restaurant in Newfoundland that had lines of dedicated customers often wrapped around the shop, patiently waiting for a meal.
After being partners with her mother for their own culinary ventures, Su Jin now partners with her brother Mike Won to bring their vision for SuLee to life. Everything from the name of the company, to the logo––which is SuLee's signature––to the food they're creating, is deeply influenced by their late mother.
While Su Jin leads in food preparation, Mike assists and takes over on the logistics side of the business, after recently leaving his six-figure job in the financial sector to do so.
Starting small and nostalgic, after officially launching on April 4th, the duo chose to create small batches of kimchi in particular because of it being a staple dish in Korean cuisine, and also their household.
"Kimchi is probably the most commonly known Korean dish that people are familiar with," said Mike. "Also, it's packed with nutrients and probiotics and low in calories. You can pair it with essentially any meal from different origins, cook with it and or enjoy it as a snack."
The popular fermented cabbage is the crown jewel of Korean cuisine and has been adopted across the planet for its wonderful flavour and incredible health benefits. It is a staple ingredient across many Korean dishes, so it is vital that it's done correctly.
"Koreans put so much time, effort and love into making kimchi, as it has to be just right in texture, flavour, spice and consistency, because kimchi is used for numerous dishes and if the kimchi isn't good, then it limits us to several different dishes we love to eat," Mike continues.
SuLee offers two sizes of kimchi and two options at the moment: 'Mat Kimchi' with cut napa cabbage and radish, as well as a vegan-friendly alternative that excludes the fish and meat products normally used to produce kimchi. SuLee also accepts bulk orders, where they offer 'Pogi Kimchi', which is the full napa cabbage.
What makes SuLee Kimchi even more special is the flexibility of their kimchi, where you as the customer are able to control the flavour based on how fermented you desire your kimchi to be.
"The kimchi that's readily available in stores are already fermented, if not, too fermented for some, which is overly sour and not as crispy in texture," says Mike. "Our kimchi is fresh, and this allows customers to enjoy SuLee Kimchi to their liking. We've reversed the thought of people trying kimchi that's already fermented, so they could taste and adjust the kimchi through the various fermentation stages."
Their kimchi is made twice per week and stored at a specific temperature to highlight the freshness and quality of the ingredients used, as well as increase the longevity of the product once it's in your hands.
Their kimchi is packed with a refreshing burst of flavour that's only heighten by the crisp and fresh ingredients used. It's light with a nice crunch, which helps it maintain a perfect variety of texture that isn't overly spicy, so it's great for those who enjoy kimchi, but struggle to take the heat.
Mike and Su Jin hope to one day be able to open a storefront that would showcase a range of their favourite Korean dishes, with the goal of exposing people to beloved meals that aren't as commonly represented when you think of Korean food today.
Right now, they're offering free delivery across the GTA, which you'll definitely want to take advantage of. To get your own container of SuLee Kimchi, order through their form here and send them a DM on Instagram to make sure you're in their delivery radius.
Follow SuLee Kimchi on Instagram to watch their menu expand to include ready to eat meals and see what farmers markets they'll pop into this summer!
