Crispy and Delicious Radish Salad (Musaengchae)
Super Easy Radish Salad Recipe for Beginners
Make this essential Korean side dish, Musaengchae, easily at home! It boasts a delightful crispiness and a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy flavor. It’s a true rice-stealer!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 large radish (approx. 500g)
- 1 handful of green parts of scallions (approx. 30g)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting radish)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting radish)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Peel the large radish, cut it in half, and prepare for slicing.
Step 2
Julienne the radish into strips about 0.3cm thick. Avoid slicing them too thinly. (Note: Summer radishes have high water content; slicing them slightly thicker helps maintain a crisp texture and prevents them from becoming mushy.)
Step 3
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt evenly over the julienned radish and let it sit for 10 minutes to salt. This process draws out excess moisture, making the radish crispier.
Step 4
Gently squeeze out the excess water from the salted radish with your hands. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this could break the radish pieces.
Step 5
Trim off the white parts of the scallions and finely chop the green parts into 1-2 cm lengths. Add the chopped scallions to the squeezed radish strips.
Step 6
Now, add the seasoning ingredients: 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. (Tip: You can add 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic for extra umami, but it’s optional if you prefer a cleaner taste.)
Step 7
Gently mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the radish and scallions. Taste and adjust with a pinch of salt if needed. Your delicious Radish Salad is ready!
