Family foods Food Library
When can babies eat kimchi?
Can babies have kimchi?
Babies can have a tiny taste of kimchi from about 12 months if it is rinsed, finely chopped and mixed into other foods. Kimchi is very salty and often spicy, so keep it to small amounts. Many kimchis contain fish sauce or shrimp, which are common allergens.
How to serve kimchi by age
Shapes and textures change as your baby’s grasp and chewing grow.
6 months
Skip kimchi for now; it is very salty and often spicy. Mild fermented foods like plain whole-milk yogurt are a gentler start.
7–8 months
Keep skipping kimchi. Offer plain cooked napa cabbage or bok choy, chopped finely, to get used to the vegetable.
9–12 months
Still skip kimchi before 12 months. Take your baby's portion of family dishes out before adding kimchi.
12 months +
Toddlers can have small bits of kimchi in fried rice, noodles, soups or Korean pancakes. Keep pieces chopped small, choose milder kimchi and keep portions to a spoonful.
Why it’s good
Kimchi offers vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and, in unpasteurized versions, live bacteria from fermentation. Its strong sour and savory taste helps babies get used to new flavors. Kimchi is high in sodium, so the benefit comes from small amounts.
Safety notes
- Kimchi is very high in sodium. Rinse it, use only a small amount and do not add other salty sauces to the meal.
- Long strips of cabbage and firm radish cubes are choking risks. Mince kimchi finely for babies and chop it small for toddlers.
- Most kimchi contains chili flakes. Start with mild or white kimchi, and rinse spicy kimchi before serving.
- Many kimchis are made with fish sauce, salted shrimp or oysters. Introduce fish and shellfish on their own first and read labels.
- Keep kimchi in the fridge and use clean utensils. Throw it out if it develops mold or an unusual smell.
Introduce kimchi on its own, then keep it in
Kimchi itself is cabbage, but most recipes include fish sauce and often shrimp or oysters, which are Top 9 allergens. Some also contain wheat or soy. Check labels, and watch for hives, swelling or vomiting.
Kimchi for babies: questions parents ask
Quick answers about kimchi for babies and toddlers.
When can babies eat kimchi?
Babies can have a small amount of kimchi from about 12 months if it is rinsed, finely chopped and mixed into food. Kimchi is very salty, so a pinch is enough for a baby.
Can babies have kimchi?
Yes, babies can eat kimchi in tiny amounts as part of family meals. Rinsing kimchi lowers the salt and spice, and mincing it makes it safer to swallow.
Is kimchi a choking hazard for babies?
Kimchi can be a choking hazard because cabbage strips are long and fibrous and radish pieces can be firm. Mincing kimchi finely or cooking it until soft lowers the risk.
Is kimchi a common allergen?
Kimchi often contains common allergens, especially fish from fish sauce and shellfish from salted shrimp or oysters. Some kimchi also has wheat or soy, so read the label before serving.
How do I serve kimchi to a 6 month old?
Kimchi is not recommended for a 6 month old because it is very salty and often spicy. Offer plain yogurt or soft cooked cabbage instead, and wait until about 12 months for kimchi.
Is kimchi too salty for babies?
Kimchi is high in salt for babies, so serve only a pinch and rinse it first. Balance kimchi with unsalted foods like plain rice, egg or tofu.
Is spicy kimchi okay for babies?
Babies can try a little spice, but very spicy kimchi can upset their mouth or tummy. Rinse kimchi to wash off chili, or choose white kimchi made without chili flakes.
Are the probiotics in kimchi good for babies?
Kimchi contains live bacteria from fermentation, but there is no clear evidence that small tastes change a baby's health. Kimchi is best offered for flavor and variety, and cooking kimchi destroys most live cultures.
Is there vegan kimchi for babies?
Vegan kimchi is made without fish sauce or shrimp and can be a good option for babies who have not yet had fish or shellfish. Vegan kimchi is still salty, so rinse it and serve small amounts.
The takeaway
- Babies can have a tiny taste of kimchi from about 12 months if it is rinsed, finely chopped and mixed into other foods.
- Toddlers can have small bits of kimchi in fried rice, noodles, soups or Korean pancakes.
- Choking risk is medium. Fish is one of the Top 9 allergens: offer a small amount first, watch for a reaction, then keep it in the diet regularly.
Read next
Sources
This guide follows current advice from these organizations.
- Starting Solid Foods American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- When, What, and How to Introduce Solid Foods Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Hazards Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Choking Prevention American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Advice about Eating Fish U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20190281
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Updated November 2026. Reviewed by our dietitians. Based on AAP, CDC and NIAID guidance. Written for healthy, full-term babies; not a substitute for your pediatrician. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition, feeding difficulties or a known allergy, check with them first (medical disclaimer). Always stay with your baby while they eat.