Korean Kimchi Excellence Recognised: Nine Outstanding Products Selected at the 15th Korea Kimchi Awards

Sejong, 5 August 2026 — On 26 July 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) announced nine winning products selected at the 15th Korea Kimchi Awards, including Bonga Chonggak Kimchi produced by Bonga Co., Ltd., an agricultural corporation.  

The Korea Kimchi Awards is an annual event jointly hosted by the MAFRA and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) and organised by the World Institute of Kimchi (WiKim). The event aims to select outstanding kimchi products each year in order to improve the quality of Korean kimchi and strengthen the competitiveness of the Korean kimchi industry.  

The winning products were selected through a comprehensive evaluation process covering taste assessments conducted by a panel of experts and consumers, hygiene management at production facilities, food safety, and the use of domestically sourced ingredients.  

This year, in particular, foreign consumers and overseas distributors joined the judging panel to help identify high-quality kimchi with strong export potential. Their participation enabled the assessment of international consumer preferences alongside export prospects, making this year’s winning products especially significant as they reflect the expectations of both domestic and global markets.  

The Grand Prize was awarded to Bonga Chonggak Kimchi, produced by Bonga Co., Ltd., an agricultural corporation based in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The product features a proprietary extraction technology for herbal ingredients that incorporates traditional ingredients such as jujube and astragalus to slow the fermentation process and improve shelf life. It also offers the crisp texture of freshly made kimchi together with the refreshing, tangy flavour that develops during maturation.  

The Excellence Award was presented to Narichan Jin Baechu Kimchi produced by Narichan Agricultural Corporation Co., Ltd.  Outstanding Awards were given to the following three products:

(1) Migeumchi Job’s Tears Baechu Kimchi by Imjingang Kimchi Co., Ltd.;

(2) Somssiga Syntobul-i Chonggak Kimchi by Somssiga Agricultural Corporation Co., Ltd.; and

(3) Baechu Kimchi (Gold) by Cheongwon Organic Co., Ltd. 

Honourable Mentions were given to the following four products: 

(1) Jeong Hyuseon Jeolla-do Chonggak Kimchi by Kimchi Town Co., Ltd.;

(2) Osaek Soban Baechu Kimchi by the Yeoncheon Branch (Jeongok Agricultural Cooperative) of the Korea Agricultural Cooperative Kimchi Joint Business Corporation;

(3) Somssiga Syntobul-i Baechu Kimchi by Somssiga Agricultural Corporation Co., Ltd.; and

(4) Bonga Medicinal Baechu Kimchi by Bonga Co., Ltd. 

The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on 20 November during the commemorative ceremony marking the 7th Kimchi Day.