The story of kimchi : identity and diaspora of Zainichi Koreans in Japan

Visočnik Gerželj, Nataša (author)

The article examines kimchi’s transformation from a stigmatised “immigrant food” to become Japan’s most popular preserved vegetable, highlighting its role in identity negotiation among Zainichi Koreans living in Japan. Methods include ethnographic field work in Kyoto, interviews, examination of a book and website produced by a kimchi store, along with a literature review on diaspora foods with emphasis placed on the life history of Lee Yeon Soon as a central case study. The results show that kimchi is a cultural anchor and performative symbol/ portrayal of Korean identity. Even as kimchi becomes ever more mainstream, indicating Korea’s growing multiculturalism, Korean residents use it to stake a claim for identity and resist assimilation. It is concluded that food acts as a means of communication, which constructs identities and social relationships.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Korean diaspora, ethnic food, identity, kimchi, Japan
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 71–93
• Numbering: 42, [št.] 111
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186511
• UDC: 316.73:394.1(520)(519.5)
• ISSN on article: 0352-3608
• DOI: 10.51936/dr.42.111.71–93
• COBISS.SI-ID: 289765891
• Publication date in RUL: 02.09.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Družboslovne razprave
• Shortened title: Družbosl. razpr.
• Publisher: Slovensko sociološko društvo, Fakulteta za družbene vede
• ISSN: 0352-3608
• COBISS.SI-ID: 7530242

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Zgodba o kimčiju
• Keywords: korejska diaspora, etnična hrana, identiteta, kimči, Japonska

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Project number: AKS-2022-INC-2250001
• Name: Seed Program for Korean Studies