Crunchy and Delicious, Super Simple Seasoned Radish Salad (Musaengchae Muchim)
Spicy and Sweet Radish Salad to Boost Your Health This Season
Radish is packed with nutrients, making it an excellent ingredient to enjoy, especially during transitional seasons like this to help prevent colds. A slight drawback is that the natural sweetness can be a bit low this time of year, so a touch of sugar is often added to balance the flavors. Radishes harvested during the kimchi-making season are generally the most flavorful. This recipe will guide you to easily and quickly create a delicious radish salad!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 medium-sized Korean radish (approx. 300g)
- 1 handful of chives (approx. 5-6 stalks)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
Seasoning- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp saeujeot (fermented salted shrimp), minced
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- Pinch of sea salt (for seasoning adjustment)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp saeujeot (fermented salted shrimp), minced
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- Pinch of sea salt (for seasoning adjustment)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the radish and chives. If you don’t have chives, green onions or even garlic chives can be used as a substitute. Chives add a lovely fragrance that enhances the overall flavor of the radish salad.
Step 2
Wash the prepared radish, peel it, and then julienne it into thin strips about 0.3cm thick. Cutting the strips uniformly ensures even seasoning and a pleasant texture. Be careful not to cut them too thinly, as they can become mushy.
Step 3
Cut the chives into approximately 2-3 cm lengths. Cutting them to this size makes them easy to toss with the radish.
Step 4
In this recipe, we’ll skip the step of salting and draining the radish, which can be a bit time-consuming. Instead, directly add 3 tablespoons of gochugaru to the julienned radish and gently mix. This process helps the radish absorb the chili flakes’ color beautifully, resulting in a more vibrant and appetizing salad.
Step 5
Now it’s time to add the seasonings. Add 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of minced saeujeot, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce. If you don’t have saeujeot, you can slightly increase the amount of fish sauce. Since radishes this season might not be very sweet, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to enhance the sweetness. Mix everything gently with your hands until the color is evenly distributed and the seasonings are well incorporated. Tossing thoroughly is key for good flavor distribution.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds. You can add them whole, but crushing them slightly between your palms or grinding them will release a richer, nuttier aroma. Also, add the chopped chives and mix lightly.
Step 7
Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt or sugar to your preference. If you enjoy a hint of sourness, a splash of vinegar can also be a delightful addition. Adjusting the taste to your liking is the most important step.
Step 8
Plate the well-mixed radish salad attractively. Your crunchy and delicious seasoned radish salad is now complete! It’s great to eat immediately, but it also tastes even more refreshing and delicious if chilled in the refrigerator for a while.
