i started making my own kimchi because my spice tolerance is not very high but i really like kimchi, so i make it on my own to adjust to my taste. i have done other fermented/preserved food as well (pickles, radishes, bean sprouts, carrots, marinated eggs). as someone who likes to cook but also gets regular bouts of laziness, these prepared foods have been a lifesaver and moneysaver. i usually pair it with rice, which if you have a rice cooker isn't really much of a bother to do, or i simply snack on them. and since they are fermented or preserved most of these items are even better the longer they sit, so i can make a big batch on my energetic days and not worry about them going bad so soon.
pictured here: my new batch of kimchi, will probably wait a few days or a week before i start eating, but good to know i have something for the coming weeks