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

Visočnik Gerželj, Nataša (avtor)

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.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: Korean diaspora, ethnic food, identity, kimchi, Japan
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FF - Filozofska fakulteta
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Datum objave: 01.01.2026
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: Str. 71–93
• Številčenje: 42, [št.] 111
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-186511
• UDK: 316.73:394.1(520)(519.5)
• ISSN pri članku: 0352-3608
• DOI: 10.51936/dr.42.111.71–93
• COBISS.SI-ID: 289765891
• Datum objave v RUL: 02.09.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Družboslovne razprave
• Skrajšan naslov: Družbosl. razpr.
• Založnik: Slovensko sociološko društvo, Fakulteta za družbene vede
• ISSN: 0352-3608
• COBISS.SI-ID: 7530242

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Naslov: Zgodba o kimčiju
• Ključne besede: korejska diaspora, etnična hrana, identiteta, kimči, Japonska

Projekti

• Financer: Drugi - Drug financer ali več financerjev
• Številka projekta: AKS-2022-INC-2250001
• Naslov: Seed Program for Korean Studies