Poutine is already a hard sell if you didn’t grow up eating it, but this version has a better pitch: kimchi gravy poured over fries and cheese curds in a cast-iron skillet. The soy and cayenne in the gravy lean into the funk of the kimchi rather than fighting it, and it all comes out of the oven looking like bar food that accidentally became something worth craving. Simple enough. Make it for a crowd and people will think you spent way more effort than you did.
How to Make Kimchi Poutine
Building the gravy
Start with a roux, butter and flour cooked over low heat for a full three minutes before you add the cream. Rushing this step gives you a floury taste that the soy sauce won’t cover. Quick tip. Whisk the cream and stock in gradually and you’ll get a smooth, glossy gravy.
Fries and assembly
The cast-iron skillet isn’t just for aesthetics. It keeps the bottom fries warm while you finish the top, and it goes straight to the table. Fit the fries in a single layer so every bite gets gravy contact, scatter the cheese curds, then spoon the kimchi on before the gravy goes over. 
Kimchi quantity
A quarter cup of chopped kimchi is the starting point. If yours is aggressively fermented and funky, that’s enough. Milder store-bought kimchi can take a bit more. Chop it well so you get some in every forkful rather than one big clump.
Kimchi Poutine
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: Serves 1
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
French fries get a Korean twist in this updated poutine. Kimchi adds a spicy, fermented kick to the classic comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- As many French Fries as will fit in a 6-inch cast-iron skillet in a single layer
- 1/2 cup cheese curds
- 1/4 cup chopped Kimchi
- 1 tsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Melt the butter in a 6-inch skillet. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, over low heat for 3 minutes to make a roux. Gradually add the cream, chicken stock, and soy sauce, stirring until smooth. Season the gravy with cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.
- Place the french fries in the bottom of a 6-inch cast-iron skillet. Sprinkle the cheese curds and kimchi over them.
- Heat the skillet in the oven at 350°F (177°C) until the cheese is warm and melty, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and pour the gravy over the fries.
- Top with the chopped parsley and serve immediately in the skillet.
Notes
- For crispier fries, par-fry them before adding them to the skillet and reheating.
- Gochujang paste can be added to the gravy for a deeper, richer Korean flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored separately (fries, cheese, gravy) in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of kimchi works best for poutine?
Use napa cabbage kimchi that’s been fermenting for at least a few weeks. Younger kimchi is milder and crunchier; older kimchi has more tang and complexity. Both work, but a medium-aged kimchi gives you the best balance.
Where can I find cheese curds?
Check cheese shops, farmers’ markets, or the specialty cheese section of well-stocked grocery stores. Fresh curds should squeak when you bite them. If you truly cannot find them, torn pieces of fresh mozzarella are a reasonable stand-in.
Can I use a different type of gravy?
A traditional brown gravy works too, but this cream-based version with soy sauce and cayenne is designed to complement the kimchi’s acidity. It’s lighter than classic poutine gravy and lets the kimchi flavor come through more clearly.
kimchi is associate with nice fries on good flavor sause tastes like light snacks! :-)