Crispy and Delicious Radish Salad (Musaengchae) Recipe
Simple and Perfect Guide to Making Radish Salad (Musaengchae)
The best when you have a poor appetite! Make this crispy, sweet, and sour radish salad easily and quickly at home. It’s a real rice thief!
Main Ingredients for Radish Salad
- 1/2 Korean radish (approx. 900g), choose fresh and firm ones.
- 20g scallions, washed clean.
Radish Pickling Ingredients
- 1.5 Tbsp salt
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp vinegar
Flavor-Enhancing Seasoning Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), adjust spiciness to your preference.
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong), adds sweetness and depth.
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (Kkanari aekjeot), enhances umami. Anchovy fish sauce can be substituted.
- 1/3 Tbsp salt, for final seasoning adjustment.
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic, fresher is better.
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, for a nutty finish.
- 1.5 Tbsp salt
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp vinegar
Flavor-Enhancing Seasoning Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), adjust spiciness to your preference.
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesil-cheong), adds sweetness and depth.
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (Kkanari aekjeot), enhances umami. Anchovy fish sauce can be substituted.
- 1/3 Tbsp salt, for final seasoning adjustment.
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic, fresher is better.
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, for a nutty finish.
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the radish and julienne it into thick strips, about 0.5cm thick. If cut too thin, the crispy texture might be diminished.
Step 2
Place the julienned radish in a large bowl. Add 1.5 Tbsp salt, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, and 1.5 Tbsp vinegar. Mix well to coat evenly. Let it pickle for about 10 minutes, and flip it once in between to ensure even pickling. This process draws out moisture, making the radish extra crisp.
Step 3
While the radish is pickling, wash the scallions, pat them dry, and cut them into approximately 3-4cm lengths, ready to use.
Step 4
After pickling for 10 minutes, drain the radish strips using a sieve. Gently squeeze out excess water by hand. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can cause the radish to become mushy.
Step 5
Transfer the drained radish strips back to the bowl. Add 4 Tbsp of gochugaru first and gently mix to evenly coat the radish with the chili flakes. This helps the seasoning penetrate well and gives it a beautiful color.
Step 6
To the radish, now colored with gochugaru, add the prepared scallions, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp plum extract, and 1 Tbsp fish sauce. Mix everything together thoroughly to combine and adjust the seasoning. Taste and add the 1/3 Tbsp salt for the final seasoning.
Step 7
Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds generously over the salad for a nutty aroma. Your delicious and easy radish salad is complete! Enjoy this crispy, sweet, and sour delight!
