Crispy and Delicious Radish Salad (Mu Saengchae)
Super Easy Way to Make Delicious Crispy Radish Salad!
Follow the recipe introduced on Baek Jong-won’s ‘Taste of the Road’ and easily make a crispy, sweet, and sour radish salad at home. It’s perfect as a side dish or an ingredient for bibimbap!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 large daikon radish (about 1kg)
Seasoning Ingredients- 4 Tbsp chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 4 Tbsp chili powder (gochugaru)
- 1.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare the radish. The recipe calls for half a large radish, but depending on the size, it might be equivalent to one medium radish. Slice the radish into thin, uniform strips, about 0.3-0.5 cm thick. Thinly sliced radish absorbs seasoning better and offers a crisper texture.
Step 2
Add 1.5 tablespoons of coarse sea salt to the julienned radish and mix well. (Tip: If it looks like a lot of radish, don’t be tempted to add more salt than specified, or it might become too salty. It’s best to start with 1.5 Tbsp and adjust later if needed.)
Step 3
Let the salted radish sit for about 5-10 minutes to soften slightly and release some moisture. Then, add 2 tablespoons of chili powder and gently mix to coat the radish with color. Adding the chili powder first helps prevent clumping and creates a beautiful hue.
Step 4
Now it’s time to add the remaining seasoning ingredients. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of plum extract, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. Taste the salad and if it needs more flavor, add a little anchovy sauce or soy sauce for seasoning. (Anchovy sauce adds a nice umami flavor.)
Step 5
The initial 2 tablespoons of chili powder might result in a lighter color. To achieve a more vibrant red, add another 2 tablespoons of chili powder and mix again until evenly coated. Adjust the amount of chili powder based on your desired color.
Step 6
Finally, add a generous pinch of sesame seeds and mix gently to finish. Sesame seeds add a nutty aroma that enhances the overall flavor of the radish salad. You can enjoy it immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for a while to make it even more refreshing and delicious.
