A page from "The Most Perfect Persimmon" by Hannah Chung / Courtesy of Hannah Chung
For many Korean children, the careful rolling of "gimbap" (seaweed rice roll) or the aroma of sizzling kimchi pancakes isn't just about food — it is a love language passed down through generations. Now, a growing collection of English picture books is bringing these culinary traditions to life, inviting a broader group of young readers worldwide to explore the magic of Korean cuisine through colorful storytelling.
Whether it's a determined child mastering the art of making gimbap, a mischievous kid obsessed with kimchi or a birthday girl debating between seaweed soup and cupcakes, these stories prove that food is a bridge between cultures, a lesson in family heritage and a delicious adventure waiting to unfold.
A page from "Who Made Gimbap?" written by Jimin Lee and illustrated by Song-i Kim / Courtesy of Moonlight Books
‘Who Made Gimbap?'
Cover of "Who Made Gimbap?" written by Jimin Lee and illustrated by Song-i Kim / Courtesy of Moonlight Books
Some of the newest releases spotlight popular Korean food such as gimbap and persimmons.
"Who Made Gimbap?" written by Jimin Lee and illustrated by Song-i Kim tells the heartwarming story of Yuri, who adores her mother's homemade gimbap and sets out to make it herself as a surprise. With playful sibling dynamics and a relatable journey, the book captures the warmth of family traditions and the creativity that comes with food preparation.
Lee, a Korean American author and translator raising bilingual children in the U.S., found a gap in children's literature when it came to stories that reflect Korean culture authentically.
"As they grow older, they've started to wonder about Korean culture, which they don't have enough exposure to," Lee told The Korea Times in an email interview. "I wanted books my kids could truly relate to. That's when I decided to write my own."
The choice to center the story around gimbap came from Lee's own journey of rediscovering the dish.
“When I lived in Korea, I thought of gimbap as just a convenient, easy-to-eat dish. It wasn't until I moved to the United States that I realized how much effort goes into making gimbap,” she said.
"As a mom, I've come to realize that making food for loved ones isn't just about convenience or efficiency. Even though you can now buy gimbap at Costco here, it's not the same as homemade gimbap. I believe every Korean has their own memories or stories tied to gimbap and I want my kids to have those memories, too, even though they're growing up in the U.S. That's why I sometimes pack gimbap for them on field trip days, just like my mom did for me when I was young."
This book is part of Lee's growing collection of Korean-English bilingual picture books including "I Love Pink" and "Grandma Lives in Korea."
"Recently, I published 'Today is Seollal: Korean New Year's Day.' This year, I'm planning to write two more books — one about bibimbap and another about Chuseok. I hope my books can help share Korean culture with the world," Lee said.
‘The Most Perfect Persimmon'
Cover of "The Most Perfect Persimmon" by Hannah Chung / Courtesy of Astra Young Readers
Hannah Chung's "The Most Perfect Persimmon" centers on Joo Hong, a young girl eagerly awaiting her grandmother's visit, hoping to offer her a perfectly ripe persimmon.
“For my debut as an author-illustrator, I wanted to create a genuine and heartfelt story inspired by my experiences growing up in Korea and the U.S. I'm especially drawn to intergenerational stories because they are rich with history and traditions and explore how love and care are shared across generations in many ways," Chung told The Korea Times. "Sharing love through food is a powerful, unspoken language passed down through generations, and I wanted to capture that in my story."
For Chung, persimmons — especially “hongsi,” the most ripened soft and juicy ones — have a special place in her heart because of her grandmother.
"Hongsis are mushy, wrinkled and juicy desserts. My favorite memory is enjoying them with her during Chuseok, the fall harvest festival. A few years ago, I spent extended time in Korea with my grandmother, enjoying tea times, sharing stories and going on many walks. I realized how much I longed for such experiences," she said.
"Joo Hong's anticipation of seeing her grandmother with her persimmons mirrors those precious moments. I wanted readers to resonate with the emotions of waiting for a loved one who lives far away and feeling the need to present your most 'perfect' self because the stakes feel high."
Beyond the persimmon itself, Chung thoughtfully weaved Korean cultural details into the book.
“I added a magpie ('kkachi' in Korean) — my favorite Korean bird — that loves persimmons. Readers can spot a few Korean ceramics in the living room. In the spread where Grandma shares what hongsis are and their significance, the art shows generations of her family enjoying persimmons and the persimmon tree. Their fashion is inspired by everyday 'hanbok' (traditional Korean dress). I also included 'doljanchi,' a traditional Korean first birthday celebration, for baby Joo Hong," Chung explained.
Cover of "Slippery, Spicy, Tingly: A Kimchi Mystery" by Yangsook Choi / Courtesy of Carolrhoda Books
Kimchi galore
Kimchi, one of Korea's most iconic and essential foods, takes center stage in several picture books, offering young readers a glimpse into its bold flavors, strong aroma and cultural implications. While its spiciness and fermented nature may be unfamiliar to some, these stories highlight its irreplaceable role on Korean tables and the traditions surrounding it.
"Slippery, Spicy, Tingly: A Kimchi Mystery" by Yangsook Choi blends humor with cultural tradition as young Keo watches his "halmeoni," or grandmother, dig a hole in the backyard, leaving Keo to wonder what secret treasure might be down there.
Cover of "Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day" by Erica Kim / Courtesy of Soaring Kite Books
"Kimchi, Kimchi Every Day" by Erica Kim takes a fun and lyrical approach, showcasing the many different ways to enjoy this staple of Korean cuisine — from pancakes to dumplings — using paper-cut illustrations.
"Stinky Is My Kimchi!" by M.K. Lee introduces a mischievous boy whose kimchi obsession fills the story with laughter and warmth, noting how deeply food is tied to identity and self-confidence, with English and Korean-English bilingual editions available.
"No Kimchi for Me!" by Aram Kim presents a relatable story about Yoomi, a young girl determined to prove that she is not a baby by learning to enjoy this “stinky, spicy” dish.
Through humor, adventure and traditions, these tales transform kimchi from an unfamiliar dish into a symbol of love, resilience and cultural pride.
Celebratory food
Cover of "Birthday Soup" written by Grace Seo Chang and illustrated by Jaime Kim / Courtesy of Viking Books for Young Readers
Korean food traditions tied to celebrations and milestones also appear in many picture books.
"Birthday Soup" by Grace Seo Chang, with illustrations by Jaime Kim, celebrates "miyeokguk," the nutritious seaweed soup Koreans consume on birthdays to honor mothers. In the story, birthday girl Maia helps her mother prepare this special dish, while also embracing her multicultural background by combining miyeokguk with cupcakes to create new birthday party treats.
The book also includes a miyeokguk recipe from renowned restaurateur and chef David Chang of Momofuku fame, who is also the author's husband.
Junghwa Park's "Wish Soup: A Celebration of Seollal" introduces young readers to "tteokguk," the rice cake soup traditionally eaten during the Lunar New Year holiday. The story follows Sohee, a girl who is determined to eat as many bowls of tteokguk as possible to become an "eonni," or big sister, only to learn that maturity is about more than age.
A page of "Seoul Food" by Erin Danielle Russell / Courtesy of Viking Books for Young Readers
Cross-cultural delights
Other picture books explore how food connects people across different cultures through shared flavors and traditions.
"Seoul Food" by Erin Danielle Russell tells the story of Hana, who blends her Black and Korean heritages by creating a dish that combines flavors from both cultures, namely "kimchi jjigae" (kimchi stew) and Southern gumbo. The book includes a recipe for Hana's special kimchi gumbo, inviting readers to try it themselves.
Russell, who is Black and married to a Korean husband, originally wrote the book as a love letter to her future child before becoming a mother. Now, as a parent to a son who shares Hana's biracial heritage, the story holds even deeper personal meaning.
"I hope my book encourages children to learn about different cultures, and inspires multicultural children like my own to embrace their unique identities," Russell said.
"Kimchi or Bratwurst?" by Wyatt Tuell follows Evanley, a spirited half-Korean half-German girl who faces a mealtime dilemma — should she choose kimchi, a nod to her father's Korean roots, or bratwurst, a beloved dish from her mother's German heritage. As she explores the history and flavors of both dishes, she realizes that her identity is not about picking one over the other but rather embracing the richness of both.