"Kimchi is Correctly 'Xinqi (辛奇)' in Chinese!" ...Junggu Corrects Kimchi Notation in Myeongdong

Jung-gu Inspects Menus at 157 Restaurants in Myeongdong to Correct Chinese Translation of Kimchi
42 Restaurants Incorrectly Labeling Kimchi as Paochai Receive 'Sinchi' Stickers on Menus... "Will Eradicate Mistranslations and Promote Our Culture Through Continuous Inspections"

Kimchi, the representative food of our nation, is called ‘Xinqi (辛奇)’ in Chinese.

In response to reports that some restaurants in the Myeongdong tourist district mistakenly labeled kimchi as pao cai (泡菜) in Chinese, Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-seong) has taken action to correct this.

From January 22 to 26, the district visited 157 restaurants in the Myeongdong tourist area with six consumer food hygiene inspectors to check their menus.

The inspection found that 46 restaurants used Chinese on their menus. Among them, only four correctly labeled kimchi as Xinqi (辛奇).

Of the 42 restaurants that incorrectly labeled kimchi as pao cai (泡菜), the district affixed Xinqi (辛奇) stickers over the mistranslated characters at 39 locations. The stickers were prepared in large, medium, and small sizes to fully cover the incorrect text. The remaining three restaurants agreed to prepare new menus.

When the stickers were applied, merchants responded, “We didn’t know the labeling was wrong,” and “It’s good that the district office corrected it without any additional cost.”

The district also distributed a ‘Guide to the Correct Chinese Labeling of Kimchi.’ The guide includes the proper Chinese terms for dishes made with kimchi and explains the differences between kimchi and pao cai (泡菜).

The international standard for kimchi was established in 2001. At that time, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX) under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized Korea’s kimchi as the international standard for kimchi. Pao cai (泡菜) is a type of Chinese pickled dish that differs entirely from kimchi in preparation methods, fermentation principles, and consumption.

This is the first time the district has taken direct action to promote the correct Chinese labeling of kimchi. Going forward, the district plans to continue publicizing this through the Central Association of Restaurants to eradicate incorrect labeling.

A district official explained, “Incorrect labeling of kimchi could lead to distortion of our culture, so the district took direct action to correct it.”

Kim Gil-seong, Mayor of Jung-gu, said, “It is Jung-gu’s duty to properly promote our culture in the world-famous tourist destination Myeongdong,” adding, “We will continue to ‘keep a sharp eye’ to ensure that the correct Chinese term Xinqi (辛奇) for kimchi is firmly established and to correct any wrong labeling.”