Crispy and Spicy Seasoned Bean Sprouts with Gochugaru
Vibrantly Red Bean Sprouts Seasoned with Gochugaru
I visited the Uijeongbu Market this morning. I usually avoid buying too many vegetables when I go to the market because they’re hard to carry, but today, with my partner helping with the load, I bought quite a few! Two bags of bean sprouts were only 1,000 won, so I took one bag and made this delicious seasoned bean sprouts dish. I typically prefer them seasoned white, but today, I decided to add gochugaru for a spicy, red side dish.
Ingredients- 400g fresh bean sprouts (about one bag)
- 1 handful of scallions (approx. 5-7 stalks)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 tsp Salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Perilla Oil (deul-gireum)
- 2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly rinse one bag of bean sprouts under running water. Remove any dark or damaged ends and rinse several times to ensure they are clean.
Step 2
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the rinsed bean sprouts. Cook for exactly 5 minutes without covering the pot. It’s important not to cover the pot, as this can prevent the sprouts from developing a fishy odor.
Step 3
Immediately after cooking, drain the hot bean sprouts and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This ‘shocking’ in cold water helps preserve their crisp, crunchy texture.
Step 4
After draining, gently squeeze out any excess water from the bean sprouts. Then, carefully separate them so they are not clumped together. This ensures even seasoning later.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning. In a bowl, combine the prepared bean sprouts with 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp salt. Gently mix these ingredients together. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.
Step 6
After the initial seasoning, add 1 Tbsp of fragrant perilla oil, 2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds, and the handful of chopped scallions. Gently mix everything together until well combined. Your delicious and vibrant seasoned bean sprouts are now ready to serve!
