The effect of chitosan in a salting step on the shelf-life to kimchi was investigated. Kimchi, prepared by using Chinese cabbages soaked in 10% salt solutions containing 0, 5, 10, 20 or 30% of 0.5% chitosan solution, was examined for taste and texture by sensory and instrumental evaluation during fermentation at $10^{circ}C$ for 20 days. Sensory tests of the control kimchi revealed a strong sour taste with poor crispness and overall taste after 10 days of fermentation. In comparison, the chitosan-supplemnted kimchi, especially that reated with 20 and 30% of a chitosan solution, revealed a sour taste only after 20 days of fermentation, while still maintaining good crispness and overall taste. Properties of hardness and gumminess of kimchi measured instrumentally were higher for the chitosan-added kimchi than for the control products. This increased with increasing volumes of chitosan solution throughout the fermentation periods. These results suggest that the shelf-life of kimchi can be extended approximately 10 days using Chinese cabbage soaked in 10% salt solutions containing 20 or 30% of a 0.5% chitosan solution.