The Story Behind Sunmi Kimchi
How it began
While visiting their friend Claire, affectionately known as their one and only "Pierogi Queen,"in Colorado, Ryan and Hyeonju heard the story of how she started her own pierogi business. Inspired by her journey, Ryan turned to Hyeonju and half-jokingly said, “We could sell kimchi.”
What began as a casual comment quickly turned into something more. With Claire’s encouragement, the couple started seriously considering the idea of launching a kimchi business of their own.
A few days later, while stuck at the Denver airport due to long flight delays, Ryan and Hyeonju found themselves with unexpected free time, and they made the most of it. They spent those hours researching, brainstorming, and shaping their vision. By the time they boarded their flight back to Minneapolis, they had already secured a business license and designed the logo for what would become Sunmi Kimchi.
Who would have thought a delayed flight could spark the beginning of something so delicious?
Why Sunmi Kimchi? (by Hyeonju)
Born in South Korea and raised in the U.S., Korean food has always been my bridge back to my roots — a way to reconnect with my culture, my family, and my identity. And what’s more Korean than kimchi?
For as long as I can remember, kimchi-making was a yearly tradition that brought our whole family together. Whether we were in Korea or Nebraska, every year, we gathered — my grandma and grandpa, my dad, my brother, and me — to chop, mix, stuff, and ferment. It was a lot of work, but it was also one of my favorite days of the year. It was family time in its purest form: each person, no matter their age, had a role. My favorite role? The taste tester, of course.
As a kid, my grandmother led the process. Her kimchi was unmatched — no restaurant or store-bought jar could even come close. She brought care, precision, and so much love into every batch. As she got older and could no longer travel from Korea to the U.S., and as I grew up and left for college, our family’s annual kimchi days slowly faded.
Nearly a decade later, it was my partner who encouraged me to bring that tradition back into my life. This time, as the adult, I returned to kimchi-making not just for the taste, but for the meaning. I now fully understand the care and effort my grandmother put into every jar, every year — and I carry that legacy forward with deep pride.
Why name the company Sunmi Kimchi?
While my mom (Sunmi) wasn’t physically present during those childhood kimchi-making days, this business is my way of bringing her into the tradition.
So why name the company Sunmi Kimchi? Because for me, kimchi has always been about family. My mother, Sunmi Kim, passed away from cancer when I was just four years old. While she wasn’t physically present during those childhood kimchi-making days, this business is my way of bringing her into the tradition. By naming this company after her, I’m honoring her memory and giving her a seat at the family table.
Coming soon to our blog: more stories, recipes, and the many ways we use Sunmi Kimchi in our everyday meals.
