Nostalgia, Bap-doduk Banchan

[Badaro] Jinmichae (Dried Shredded Squid)

Jinmichae is one of those quiet Korean pantry staples powered by nostalgia—a classic bap-doduk (“rice thief”) banchan that many Koreans grow up eating at the family table.

Made from thinly shredded semi-dried squid, it strikes a rare balance: gently chewy without being tough, lightly sweet without added sugar, and clean-tasting without any of the harsh fishiness people often expect from dried seafood.

Because it’s semi-dried, good jinmichae bends easily between your fingers, tears cleanly, and stays soft rather than brittle. It delivers a savory depth that’s subtle enough to work across a wide range of dishes—from simple family side dishes to casual drinking snacks.

Most often, jinmichae shows up as jinmichae muchim, tossed with gochujang, garlic, and sesame oil for a quick, deeply satisfying banchan. But its real strength is adaptability.

White jinmichae shines in soy sauce–based or butter-forward preparations, making it especially approachable for kids, while red jinmichae’s deeper color and flavor blend seamlessly into spicy marinades.

Keep a bag in the freezer and you’ve got an ingredient that turns a few pantry seasonings into something unmistakably Korean—fast, comforting, and endlessly reliable.

Available in 300g bags - select either white or red jinmichae.

Q: Which version is better - for first-timers? 
A: If it’s your first time trying jinmichae, start with White Jinmichae. It’s less bold than the red version and works well in both simple and seasoned dishes.

Q: Is this semi-dried or fully-dried? 
Semi-dried. 

Q: Where is the squid harvested from? 
A: This squid is harvested from Peru. Then transformed into Jinmichae in South Korea. 

Q: Where do I store this?
A: Please store in freezer.