Crispy and Sweet Kohlrabi Salad (Kohlrabi Saengchae)
How to Make Delicious and Crunchy Kohlrabi Salad with a Simple Dressing
This recipe introduces how to make a delightful Kohlrabi Salad (Kohlrabi Saengchae) that is characterized by its wonderfully crisp texture and natural sweetness. It’s perfect as a side dish for rice, similar to radish salad (Mu Saengchae), or can be added to bibimbap for an extra layer of freshness and flavor. Thanks to kohlrabi’s inherent sweetness, even children will enjoy it without hesitation, making it a fantastic side dish for the whole family. Make this refreshing kohlrabi salad today!
Main Ingredients- 1 kohlrabi
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for salting)
- 1/4 large scallion (green onion)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the kohlrabi thoroughly under running water. Then, use a peeler to thinly peel the skin. Trim off the tough top part and the base. Peeling it slightly thicker than usual helps to remove the fibrous core, ensuring a tender bite.
Step 2
After peeling and trimming the top and bottom, thinly julienne the kohlrabi using a mandoline slicer or a knife. Aim for uniform thickness so the dressing coats evenly and the texture is pleasant when eaten.
Step 3
Add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt to the julienned kohlrabi and gently mix with your hands. Salting helps to draw out excess moisture, enhancing its crispiness and removing any slight bitterness or undesirable flavors. Let it sit for 30 minutes to salt.
Step 4
After 30 minutes, the kohlrabi will have released some water. It tends to release less water than radishes do when salted. Lightly drain this liquid away. Be careful not to squeeze the kohlrabi too hard, as this can make it mushy.
Step 5
While the kohlrabi is salting, finely chop the scallion. Wash the scallion, remove the outer leaves, and mince the white and light green parts finely. This adds great flavor and blends well with the kohlrabi.
Step 6
Now, add all the prepared seasoning ingredients to the salted kohlrabi. Include the minced garlic (1/2 Tbsp), sugar (1/3 Tbsp), fish sauce (1 Tbsp), gochugaru (2 Tbsp), toasted sesame seeds (1 Tbsp), and the finely chopped scallion. Gently mix everything together with your hands until the seasonings are well distributed and coated on the kohlrabi. Your delicious Kohlrabi Salad is ready to serve!
