Kimchi Chronicles is an American food program airing on PBS that is part travelogue, part food narrative, and part documentary of self-discovery. Host Marja Vongerichten, a Korean American adoptee, explores Korean food and culture, and her unique life story is told throughout the series. In the show, viewers experience Korea through Marja's distinct perspective.
Each episode begins in Korea, where Marja, her husband Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and other special guests travel to different areas of Korea and taste their local foods. Then, they return to New York, where they recreate Korean recipes, specifically tailored for a modern American kitchen. Episodes cover different categories of food, providing a comprehensive overview of Korean food.
The show features acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, actress Heather Graham, and actor Hugh Jackman and his wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness who are also upstairs neighbors in New York City of the Vongerichten family.Cf. first episode of the TV series, The Kimchi Chronicles
The show was sponsored by the Visit Korea Committee, Korean Food Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The production company for the show was Frappé, Inc., which is owned by Charles Pinsky.
Episode list Episode Title Location Episode Location Detail Page Episode Summary Original air date 101 "The Kimchi Chronicles Begin" Seoul, New York City Seoul, New York The Kimchi Chronicles Begin is an introduction to the basics of Korean cooking featuring Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness. July 2, 2011 102 "The Rice Chronicles" Seoul, Busan Seoul, Busan The Rice Chronicles explore Korea's most prized staple food with Marja's friend Heather Graham. July 9, 2011 103 "The Jeju Chronicles" Jeju Jeju The Jeju Chronicles explore Jeju Island, the Hawaii of Korea. July 16, 2011 104 "The Seafood Chronicles" Seoul, Sokcho Seoul, Sokcho The Seafood Chronicles dive into the waters surrounding the South Korean peninsula. July 23, 2011 105 "The Bean Chronicles" Seoul, Chodang, Jeonju Seoul, Chodang, Jeonju The Bean Chronicles tap into the history of Korean cooking and culture. July 30, 2011 106 "The Beef Chronicles" Seoul, Andong Seoul, Andong The Beef Chronicles trace the history of beef in Korea along with Heather Graham, Hugh Jackman, and Deborra-Lee Furness. August 6, 2011 107 "The Fish Chronicles" Seoul, Sokcho, Busan Seoul, Sokcho, Busan The Fish Chronicles explore the entire coastlines of Korea with Heather Graham. July 7, 2011 108 "The Seoul Food Chronicles" Seoul Seoul The Seoul Food Chronicles cover the best of Seoul, from late-night drinks to striking fashion and street food. August 20, 2011 109 "The Chicken Chronicles" Chuncheon, Andong Chuncheon, Andong The Chicken Chronicles explore Korea's most beloved chicken dishes all over the country. July 17, 2011 110 "The Noodle and Dumpling Chronicles" Seoul Seoul The Noodle and Dumpling Chronicles cover every favorite noodle and dumpling dish in Korea with plenty of slurping along the way. July 31, 2011 111 "The Pork Chronicles" Seoul Seoul The Pork Chronicles get into the Korean love for everything pig. September 10, 2011 112 "The Street Food Chronicles" Seoul, Sokcho Seoul, Sokcho The Street Food Chronicles explore all of the hugely popular Korean dishes from street carts and stands and dishes are shared with Hugh Jackman. September 17, 2011 113 "The Kimchi Chronicles Conclude" Seoul, Sokcho, Pyeongchang Seoul, Sokcho, Pyeongchang The Kimchi Chronicles Conclude brings the show full circle and is all about special occasions. September 24, 2011
Other media In August 2011, Rodale, Inc. published a hardcover companion cookbook, The Kimchi Chronicles: Korean Cooking for an American Kitchen (), written by Marja Vongerichten with Julia Turshen.
The 13-episode series was released on DVD in October 2011 ().
On October 16, 2012, Marja Vongerichten was a guest speaker at the George Washington University Jack Morton Auditorium, where she presented a humorous lecture about the Kimchi Chronicles, Korean culture, and her biracial identity. The Korean Cultural Center, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, organized and sponsored the event.
Books Vongerichten, Marja; (foreword by Jean Georges Vongerichten), The Kimchi Chronicles: Korean cooking for an American kitchen, Emmaus, PA: Rodale Books, 2011.
References
Further reading "Celebrity Chef's Wife Returns to Ancestral Home", The Chosun Ilbo newspaper, South Korea, June 29, 2010 Leach, Robin, "‘Kimchi Chronicles’ chef Marja Vongerichten is still searching for her father" , Las Vegas Sun, Wednesday, May 16, 2012
External links Official Website Official Blog