Crisp and Flavorful Lettuce Salad (Sangchu Geotjeori)
How to Make Delicious Lettuce Salad Dressing & Lettuce Muchim Recipe
Introducing a fresh and delicious lettuce salad (Sangchu Geotjeori) recipe, perfect for spring and summer! Lettuce is a nutrient-packed vegetable rich in vitamins and minerals, commonly enjoyed as a wrap with meat. It’s abundant in Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and fiber, which help purify the blood and can aid in preventing low blood pressure. Compared to other leafy greens, it’s also rich in iron and essential amino acids. Today, I’ll share a simple yet appetite-stimulating recipe for Sangchu Geotjeori, also known as Sangchu Muchim. The crisp texture combined with the sweet and tangy dressing makes it an excellent side dish for rice or a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats!
Main Ingredients- Lettuce 170g
- Carrot 30g
- Cheongyang peppers 2
- Onion 1/2 (approx. 60g)
Dressing Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 0.7 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce (Jin-ganjang or Brewed soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (often anchovy or shrimp-based)
- 1.5 Tbsp Plum extract (Maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
For Washing- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 0.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 0.7 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce (Jin-ganjang or Brewed soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Fish sauce (often anchovy or shrimp-based)
- 1.5 Tbsp Plum extract (Maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
For Washing- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Fresh lettuce is high in moisture and rich in Vitamin C, which helps to make the skin radiant and elastic. It also helps lower cholesterol levels, so it’s a great idea to eat more lettuce, which is readily available during the summer months!
Step 2
Rinse the lettuce thoroughly under running water. Especially for lettuce with many wrinkles like ‘flower lettuce’ (kkot-sangchu), dirt and debris can easily get trapped between the leaves. So, trim the stem ends slightly and wash each leaf carefully, front and back. Fill a bowl with enough water to cover the washed lettuce, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and soak for about 5 minutes. Then, drain the lettuce and pat it dry to remove excess moisture. Properly draining is key for the dressing to adhere well and create a delicious salad.
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables. Julienne the carrot into thin strips. Cut the Cheongyang peppers in half, remove the seeds, and slice them thinly. Slice the onion into similar-sized strips.
Step 4
Cut the drained lettuce into bite-sized pieces. You can use a knife or simply tear the leaves into larger pieces by hand for a more natural texture. Place the lettuce, julienned carrots, onions, and Cheongyang peppers into a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of gochugaru and gently toss to coat the ingredients with the chili flakes, giving them a nice color.
Step 5
Add 0.5 tablespoon of sugar and 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic (Tip: using up to 0.7 tablespoon of minced garlic will enhance the flavor). Also, add 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (Jin-ganjang or brewed soy sauce). You can choose the type of soy sauce based on your preference, or mix both for a deeper flavor.
Step 6
Next, add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce for umami and 1.5 tablespoons of plum extract (Maesilcheong) to balance the sweet and sour flavors. Lightly crushing the toasted sesame seeds before adding them will further enhance their nutty aroma.
Step 7
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for fragrance. Now, gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the lettuce mushy. This is how you complete the crisp and fresh lettuce salad, Sangchu Geotjeori! With the right dressing ratio, anyone can make this delicious side dish successfully. The most important tip is to drain the lettuce very well after washing and to mix it right before serving to enjoy the freshest, crispest texture.
Step 8
Making this crisp, refreshing, and savory lettuce salad (Sangchu Muchim) is truly easy, isn’t it? While lettuce is often eaten as a wrap with meat, making it into a salad like this can cut through the richness of the meat and make your meal even more satisfying. It’s also incredibly delicious mixed with a bowl of rice!
