Crispy and Tangy Summer Radish Salad (Musaengchae)
Summer’s Delight! Crispy and Tangy Musaengchae Golden Recipe
Introducing a recipe for crispy and refreshing Musaengchae made with summer radishes. I’ll share the secret to making it crispy without salting, and how to create this delicious, tangy radish salad that’s a perfect side dish for rice. When you’re craving something light and flavorful, this simple recipe will have you finishing a bowl of rice in no time!
Musaengchae Ingredients- 2 pieces of radish (approx. 6cm height)
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp anchovy fish sauce
- 2 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup)
- 1 Tbsp ginger syrup
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 2 pieces of fresh summer radish (about 6cm in height). You can adjust the amount based on the radish’s size.
Step 2
Thinly julienne the radish into approximately 0.3cm thick strips, following the grain. If you’re not comfortable with knife work, a mandoline slicer can make this step much easier.
Step 3
Add the gochugaru to the julienned radish and gently toss to coat. This step helps to draw out less moisture from the radish, preserving its crispiness even without salting. (Tip: Coating the radish with chili flakes before adding other aromatics like scallions and garlic ensures a more even distribution of color and flavor.)
Step 4
After coating with chili flakes, add the anchovy fish sauce, sugar, and vinegar to season the radish. Adding the seasoning ingredients in this order helps to create a balanced flavor profile.
Step 5
Next, add the maesilcheong (plum syrup) and finally, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. You’ll have a wonderfully crispy Musaengchae salad!
Step 6
The amount of Musaengchae prepared will fill a container of approximately 1100ml. (It appears slightly less than full in the photo.)
Step 7
Transfer the finished Musaengchae to a serving dish. Sprinkle with a little more toasted sesame seeds for a beautiful presentation and an enhanced flavor. Your delicious, tangy, and crispy radish salad is now ready!
Step 8
This Musaengchae, made without the salting step, is surprisingly crispy and refreshingly tangy. Its delightful sweet and sour flavor will stimulate your appetite, making a bowl of rice disappear in moments. It’s a true rice-lover’s dream!
