Patron Saint of Kimchi Launches KREAM Kimchi with Entire Community Backing
Standing in line under a blistering sun at the Penn St. Market at Uncle West Wash Park waiting for my jar of kimchi, the man in front of me turns around, looks me dead in the eyes and says, “This stuff is the shit.”
Photo taken by Dalton Butler
In a solid homage to the Wu Tang Clan, Virgil Dickerson created KREAM Kimchi -- with kimchi ruling everything around him. And now, through the shutdown and quarantining, he’s been kind enough to let it rule our lives. After delivering over 500 jars of kimchi throughout COVID to his friends and family (and even strangers) by foot, bike, and rarely car, his responses became deafening – “You need to sell the kimchi.” Dickerson’s been thanked by home-made everything: bread, cookies, pies and casseroles; beer, cider and spirits; a massage, and a million letters of thanks. The man is a hometown walking. Thank the friends, thank Dickerson, but most importantly, thank this mom. Using his mother’s kimchi recipe, Dickerson makes every single batch with her in mind, fermenting cabbage in her honor. So rarely is a product grounded within family with roots that grab hold of a community. The day KREAM Kimchi launched in Wash Park, Instagram stories were covered in high hopes and congratulations for Dickerson, ranging all the way from local newspapers, best friends, and those who love the kimchi so much they became family.
KREAM Kimchi comes in vegan and traditional style, is available in 32oz. jars, and of course signed by Dickerson himself. The jars also note the music playing while the kimchi was packaged. People like their plants listening to Mozart and their cabbage listening to Mac – and I like that Dickerson knows that. Pick up KREAM Kimchi, merch and more at the Wash Park Famer’s Market every Saturday from 8:00am – 2:00pm. To order online, visit KREAM Kimchi’s website and wait for email confirmation!
Photo taken by Dalton Butler
It only feels right… “Check this shit, yo!”
Written by Jenna McGoldrick
