Crispy and Sweet Radish Salad (Musaengchae) Golden Recipe
Crafting a Sweet and Delicious Radish Salad with Seasonal Radishes
Let’s make a delicious radish salad using seasonal radishes. This recipe is simple yet incredibly flavorful.
Ingredients- 1/2 medium Korean radish (approx. 500g)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds (approx. 1/2 Tbsp)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 handful of green onions or scallions (chopped)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
This radish salad is made without any pre-salting, allowing you to enjoy its fresh taste immediately. Much like a golden recipe from a renowned chef, the key is to highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Step 2
First, peel the radish and slice it thinly and evenly into matchsticks. Using a mandoline slicer will save time and ensure consistent thickness. For about half a radish, you can also slice it by hand quickly. Add 2 tablespoons of gochugaru to the julienned radish and gently mix with your hands. This process helps the chili flakes coat the radish evenly, giving it a beautiful color and mellowing the spiciness.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to add the remaining seasonings to the radish that has been colored with chili flakes. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar, a pinch of toasted sesame seeds (about 1/2 Tbsp), 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and a handful of chopped green onions or scallions. Gently toss everything together with your hands again. Avoid overmixing or kneading, as this can release too much water and make the radish lose its crispiness. The goal is to gently combine the ingredients.
Step 4
Finally, add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Using fish sauce (like anchovy or sand lance sauce) adds a deep umami flavor without needing many other seasonings, so you likely won’t need to adjust the saltiness much further. You can slightly adjust the amount of fish sauce depending on the type you use and your personal preference.
Step 5
Once all the seasoning ingredients are added and gently mixed, you’ll have a simple yet incredibly delicious radish salad! It looks appetizing with its vibrant color and is perfectly crisp to enjoy right away.
Step 6
This finished radish salad is a fantastic side dish on its own. However, it’s also absolutely delightful when mixed with a spoonful of gochujang (Korean chili paste) and served over a bowl of hot rice, transforming it into a wonderful bibimbap! The sweetness and crunch of the fresh radish are sure to whet your appetite.
