Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-kimchi-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Kimchi Vegetarian? (Fish Sauce & Shrimp Paste)

Kimchi is cabbage and chili, so it looks vegan at a glance. The non-vegetarian part is in the
seasoning, not the vegetable. Here is what makes traditional kimchi non-vegetarian, and how to
find the vegan version.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Traditional kimchi is not vegetarian: it is seasoned with fish sauce and salted shrimp.
> - The cabbage and vegetables are plant-based; the seasoning is the animal part.
> - "Vegetarian kimchi" can still contain fish sauce, so look for the explicit "vegan" label.
> - Vegan kimchi is common and keeps fine, since the tang comes from fermentation.

**TL;DR: Kimchi is usually not vegetarian.** Traditional kimchi is seasoned with fish sauce
(anchovy) and/or salted fermented shrimp (saeu-jeot). Vegan kimchi exists and is common: look
for "vegan kimchi" or check the label.

## What kimchi is

Kimchi is fermented vegetables: most famously napa cabbage: seasoned with a paste of gochugaru
(chili flakes), garlic, ginger and scallions. The vegetables are all plant-based.

## The animal part

The non-vegetarian ingredients are in the seasoning, not the cabbage:

- **Fish sauce** (fermented anchovy)
- **Saeu-jeot** (salted fermented shrimp)
- Sometimes **shrimp paste** or **oyster** is added

These add the deep, savory umami flavor that classic kimchi is known for.

## How to tell if kimchi is vegan

- **"Vegan kimchi"** or **"plant-based kimchi"**: safe.
- **"Vegetarian kimchi"**: check the label anyway; some brands still add fish sauce.
- **Unlabeled**: scan the ingredients for: fish sauce, shrimp, anchovy, jeotgal, oyster.

Many supermarkets and health-food brands now make kimchi without any fish products, and it keeps
just fine (the tang comes from fermentation, not fish).

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Only if made without fish sauce and shrimp.
- **Vegan?** Look for the explicit "vegan" label.

See our [Kimchi dish guide](/food/south-korea/kimchi/) for the full ingredient breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*