Chewy Acorn Jelly Salad: A Refreshing & Flavorful Korean Delicacy
The Ultimate Acorn Jelly Salad Recipe with a Delicious Seasoning Sauce – Perfect for Beating the Summer Heat!
Soft and chewy acorn jelly (dotorimuk) is a nutritious food that’s delicious even when simply dipped in a savory sauce. However, by creating a tangy and sweet seasoning for the summer months and tossing it with a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables, you can transform it into a more substantial and incredibly tasty dish. This acorn jelly salad makes a wonderful side dish for rice, or you can mix it with rice to create a satisfying acorn jelly rice bowl (dotorimukbap) that requires no other side dishes. Today, we’ll guide you step-by-step through making this delightful acorn jelly salad, tossed with crisp fresh onions and cucumbers, to awaken your appetite on hot days.
Main Ingredients- Acorn jelly (Dotori-muk) 500g
- Lettuce 7-8 leaves
- Cucumber 1/2
- Onion 1/2
- Carrot 1/3
- Aged Kimchi or well-fermented Kimchi 1 cup
Tangy & Sweet Dressing- Soy sauce 5 Tbsp
- Sugar 2.5 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Soy sauce 5 Tbsp
- Sugar 2.5 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar 2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 2 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the fresh lettuce leaves under running water and ensure they are completely dry. Any excess moisture can make the salad watery, so gently pat them dry with paper towels or shake off the water. Then, chop them into bite-sized pieces for a pleasant presentation. This step adds a nice crunch.
Step 2
For the crisp cucumber, grab a pinch of coarse salt. Lightly moisten the salt with a bit of water and gently rub the cucumber’s skin. This helps to effectively remove any residue or dirt from the surface, ensuring a cleaner taste.
Step 3
Next, thinly slice the cleaned cucumber. Then, cut these slices into half-moon shapes that are easy to eat. This shape allows the dressing to coat the cucumber beautifully and makes it appealing.
Step 4
Julienne the carrot into thin strips for added color and flavor. Thinly slice the onion. Slicing the onion thinly will mellow its pungent flavor while enhancing its natural sweetness, making the acorn jelly salad even more delightful.
Step 5
Prepare about 1 cup of finely chopped aged kimchi (or well-fermented kimchi) to add a spicy and tangy kick. Chopping it finely ensures it blends well with the other ingredients, creating a delicious flavor profile for the dressing.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the acorn jelly. Cut the acorn jelly into bite-sized cubes. If the jelly feels too firm, you can briefly blanch it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to achieve a softer, more tender texture. This will give you a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Step 7
After blanching, drain the acorn jelly and rinse it briefly under cold water. This step cools it down, removes any stickiness, and helps maintain its firm, chewy texture. While the jelly cools, let’s make the dressing.
Step 8
Let’s create a rich and flavorful dressing. In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2.5 Tbsp sugar, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp vinegar, and 2 Tbsp sesame oil. Finally, add a generous amount of sesame seeds and mix everything well until the dressing is smooth and well-blended. Taste and adjust the sugar or vinegar if needed to suit your preference.
Step 9
In a large bowl, add the prepared lettuce, cucumber, onion, carrot, and the finely chopped kimchi. Pour all the prepared dressing over the vegetables and kimchi. At this stage, do not add the acorn jelly yet, as it can easily break apart. Gently mix the vegetables and kimchi with the dressing first to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 10
Once the vegetables and kimchi are lightly coated with the dressing, add the bite-sized acorn jelly cubes. Be gentle when mixing; toss just enough to coat the jelly with the vegetables and dressing without breaking it down. This ensures the jelly retains its delightful chewy texture.
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and visual appeal. Your delicious acorn jelly salad is now ready! With the current hot weather, it’s easy to lose your appetite. This refreshing, tangy, and crunchy acorn jelly salad is highly recommended to help stimulate your taste buds. The unique, slightly bitter taste of acorn jelly is beautifully balanced by the fresh vegetables and flavorful dressing, creating a wonderfully refreshing dish. For an even more satisfying meal, consider serving it with a small portion of rice, like an acorn jelly rice bowl. Give it a try!
