When can kids try kimchi?

[mestiza]

I am raising a half-Korean son. (Things did not work out with me and my son's father, who is an adopted Korean-American)  I would like to give my son kimchi, but I am not sure when I can introduce it. I have heard of "mother's kimchi", where I sort of suck the juice off the cabbage and then offer it to my son. What age do Korean kids usually first try kimchi, and what are some ways I can introduce it to my son?  He is 2 years old right now.

[dawnlvn4jc]

Not sure, I lived in Saipan for a while and tutored many Korean students. Some of my 1st grade students were eating it. Not sure if babies eat it though! Sorry I am not much help! LOL!!!

Dawn

[mom2kaitlyn]

hi there,

well we just came from korea and were stationed there for two years.  i don't recall ever seeing baby's eat kimichi but kids did eat it.  my husband said he saw 2 and 3 year olds eating it.  i can ask my korean friend about it.  she' korean but her kids are korean american.  let me know and i'll be more than happy to ask her.  i think that's awesome that you want to do that for your child.  awesome!!!!!

[mestiza]

That'd be great if you could ask your Korean mom friend. I have Korean friends from college, but none of them are parents, so they don't have any answers on this one. I appreciate any help. I will probably be taking my son to a Korean heritage center that has a Saturday program for children, and I will ask around there too.

[mom2kaitlyn]

ok my friend got back to me.  apparently she's not giving her kids kimichi yet.  they don't like it so she has to take it out.  the only way she can give it to them is if she cooks it with pancakes.  i'm thinking its what she calls the korean pancake, not the pancake that we have for breakfast.