Crunchy Chestnut Salad (Bam Saengchae)
A Refreshing Chestnut Salad Recipe
Discover the delightful crunch and nutty flavor of fresh chestnuts with this ‘Bam Saengchae’ recipe. Unlike steamed chestnuts, raw chestnuts offer a unique, satisfyingly crisp texture that makes this dish a refreshing, salad-like side. After the effort of peeling 2kg of chestnuts, this Bam Saengchae is a true reward, perfect as a hearty side dish for rice or a delightful snack when you’re peckish. Enhanced with fresh seasonal ingredients, this recipe balances freshness with rich flavors, making it a wonderful dish for the whole family to enjoy.
Main Ingredients
- 20 peeled raw chestnuts
- 1 Korean radish (Mu), slightly larger than an egg
- 5 stalks of green onion
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here’s a tip for easily peeling chestnuts: Place chestnuts in a pot of water and boil for about 3 minutes. This softens the shells, making them much easier to remove.
Step 2
Prepare the peeled raw chestnuts and the thoroughly cleaned green onions. Finely chop the green onions.
Step 3
We’re adding fresh Korean radish, freshly harvested from the garden. We’ll use one radish, slightly larger than an egg, to add texture and flavor.
Step 4
Cut the prepared raw chestnuts in half. If the chestnuts are large, you can cut them into quarters. In a bowl, combine the cut chestnuts with gochugaru, minced garlic, fish sauce, and honey. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the seasoning coats the chestnuts evenly. Be careful not to mash the chestnuts.
Step 5
Add the chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, and mix lightly once more. This completes your delicious chestnut salad! The preparation is wonderfully simple, isn’t it?
Step 6
The satisfying ‘crunch’ of the chestnuts is truly delightful. You’ll find yourself reaching for more with every bite!
Step 7
This dish is also great for kids. If they’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount of gochugaru or omit it entirely for a milder version they’ll surely enjoy.
Step 8
It’s wonderfully quick to make. Serve it immediately after preparation for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Step 9
If you have some leftover chestnuts, don’t hesitate to try this Bam Saengchae recipe. It makes a fantastic, light side dish, perfect for any meal. It’s sure to enrich your table, even with minimal other dishes.
