When Is Kimjang Season in Korea in 2026? Regional Timing and Salted Cabbage Reservations
For 2026 kimjang season, it is better to choose your date based on temperature rather than simply assuming kimjang starts in November.
As of October 2, exact regional kimjang dates for 2026 had not yet been officially finalized.
Based on recent kimjang patterns, mid-to-late November is a useful planning window for Seoul, Gyeonggi, and central Korea, while late November to early December is a practical range for southern regions.
Use temperature to plan 2026 kimjang
Temperature is the key factor when deciding when to make kimchi for kimjang.
If the weather is too warm, kimchi can ferment faster and its flavor may change.
If temperatures suddenly fall too low, napa cabbage and radish can freeze, so waiting too long can also be a problem.
A useful reference point is when the daily low falls to 0℃ or below and the daily average reaches 4℃ or below.
Rather than starting just because November has arrived, check the actual weather again as your planned kimjang date approaches.
Expected kimjang timing by region in 2026
Exact regional kimjang dates for 2026 had not been announced as of October 2.
Recent actual kimjang timing can still help you estimate when to prepare.
A 2025 survey by the Korea Rural Economic Institute found that late November was the most common period for kimjang.
Late November accounted for 28.8%, early December for 22.8%, and mid-November for 21.5%.
Altogether, 73.1% of respondents made kimchi between mid-November and early December.
| Region | Useful planning period |
|---|---|
| Seoul · Gyeonggi · Gangwon | Mid-to-late November |
| Chungcheong | Mainly late November |
| Yeongnam | Late November to early December |
| Honam · Jeju | Late November to early December |
These are not confirmed official kimjang dates for 2026.
They are planning ranges based on recent kimjang patterns.
As your date approaches, check the forecast again using 0℃ for the daily low and 4℃ for the daily average as reference points.
When should you reserve salted napa cabbage?
It is more convenient to choose your kimjang date first and reserve salted napa cabbage in advance rather than ordering only a few days beforehand.
Delivery dates in late November and early December can fill up first because demand is high.
In 2026, advance reservations for salted napa cabbage began in early October.
Lotte Mart and Lotte Super ran their first reservation period from October 1 to October 7, 2026.
Salted cabbage from Haenam, Goesan, and Pyeongchang was offered, with reserved products available for delivery on selected dates from November 5 to December 21.
Reservations were also scheduled to continue through December 15 after the first booking period.
Reservation periods and sales conditions can change, so check the seller’s latest information before ordering.
If you are looking for Haenam salted cabbage, you can check Haenam salted cabbage prices and compare product information.
If you are interested in highland cabbage from Gangwon-do, you can also compare Gangwon highland salted cabbage.
How many cabbages are in 20 kg of salted napa cabbage?
A 20 kg box of salted napa cabbage is usually around 6 to 10 heads.
The exact number can vary depending on cabbage size and the seller.
With the same 20 kg weight, larger cabbages mean fewer heads, while smaller cabbages may mean more.
When preparing kimchi seasoning, using the cabbage weight in kilograms is generally more accurate than relying only on the number of heads.
How many cabbages does a family of four need?
There is no single correct number because every household eats a different amount of kimchi.
In the 2025 Korea Rural Economic Institute survey, the average amount for a four-person household was 18.3 heads of cabbage.
You do not need to match that average exactly.
If your household does not eat much kimchi, you can reduce the amount according to your usual consumption.
Kimjang quantities have been trending lower than in the past, and more households are also using pre-salted cabbage.
Should you wash salted napa cabbage again?
Many salted cabbage products have already been washed, but processing methods and instructions differ by seller.
Instead of automatically washing it again, check the instructions for the product you purchased first.
Soaking it for too long or washing it excessively can remove too much salt and make the cabbage soft.
What to check before kimjang
Once you choose your kimjang date, coordinate the weather, salted cabbage delivery date, cabbage quantity, and kimchi seasoning preparation together.
- Daily low and average temperature for your planned kimjang date
- Available salted cabbage delivery dates
- How much kimchi your household actually eats
- Kimchi seasoning amount based on the weight of the salted cabbage
Choosing delivery for the day of kimjang or the day before can reduce the burden of storing salted cabbage.
When reservations open in early October, it can be useful to compare preferred growing regions and delivery dates before peak kimjang season.
2026 kimjang season at a glance
For 2026, mid-to-late November is a useful planning range for Seoul, Gyeonggi, and central Korea.
For southern regions, late November to early December is a reasonable planning window.
These are not confirmed dates, so check the actual temperature again as your planned kimjang day approaches.
If you plan to use salted cabbage, choosing your kimjang date first and then matching the delivery date is the easier order.
Late-November and early-December delivery slots may fill first, so comparing options in advance can help.
Compare prices and delivery dates for Gangwon highland salted cabbage
Compare prices and delivery dates for Korean salted napa cabbage
