Crispy Baek Jong Won Style Radish Salad (Mu Saeng Chae)
Baek Jong Won’s Radish Salad Recipe: The Ultimate Flavorful Dish
Let’s make a simple yet incredibly flavorful radish salad (Mu Saeng Chae) with Baek Jong Won’s secret touch. Its refreshing crunch and deep umami will elevate your meal.
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 medium Korean radish
- 1 handful of chives or green onions
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
This recipe is unique because it doesn’t involve salting the radish beforehand, preserving its fresh, crisp texture. It tastes delicious immediately and even gets better as it sits, developing a richer flavor. Let’s dive into Baek Jong Won’s golden recipe for Mu Saeng Chae!
Step 2
First, wash and peel half a medium Korean radish. Then, julienne it into thin, long strips. Using a mandoline slicer will save you time and create uniform cuts, but a knife works perfectly well too. I used a knife for mine. Once the radish is julienned, add 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (gochugaru) and toss to coat evenly. This step beautifully colors the radish strips with a vibrant red hue.
Step 3
Now that the radish is coated in red pepper flakes, it’s time to add the remaining seasonings. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and a handful of chopped chives or green onions. Gently mix and toss everything together with your hands, as if you’re massaging the ingredients into the radish.
Step 4
Next, add 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Using fish sauce is key here, as it provides a deep, savory umami flavor without needing many other ingredients, significantly enhancing the taste of the radish salad. The umami from the fish sauce allows you to create a delicious Mu Saeng Chae effortlessly.
Step 5
After adding all the seasoning ingredients, gently mix and toss with your hands until everything is well combined. And just like that, a simple yet incredibly delicious radish salad is ready! The crisp radish and the harmonious blend of seasonings will surely whet your appetite.
Step 6
This finished Mu Saeng Chae is wonderful as a side dish on its own. Alternatively, you can add a generous portion to a bowl of hot rice along with a bit of gochujang (red chili paste) and mix it all up for an incredibly satisfying meal. It’s also perfect as a flavorful dish when you don’t have much of an appetite, so be sure to give it a try!
