Step 1

First, prepare all the ingredients needed for the recipe. Washing and prepping them beforehand will make the cooking process much smoother.

Step 2

Rinse the salted sea mustard stems thoroughly under running water multiple times to remove excess salt. Be sure to rinse them carefully.

Step 3

To further reduce the saltiness, soak the sea mustard stems in cold water for about 30 minutes. This will also help soften them.

Step 4

Blanch the prepared sea mustard stems in boiling water for approximately 3 minutes. Avoid overcooking, as they can become mushy. Timing is key!

Step 5

Immediately rinse the blanched sea mustard stems under cold water to cool them down. Gently press them with your hands to squeeze out as much water as possible. Thoroughly draining prevents the dish from becoming watery.

Step 6

For thicker sea mustard stems, tear them by hand into manageable pieces, much like tearing kimchi. This will give them a better texture.

Step 7

Cut the torn sea mustard stems into approximately 6cm lengths. If they are too short, they might break apart during stir-frying. Aim for a consistent length.

Step 8

Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Peel the carrot and cut it into fine julienne strips. Slice the onion thinly into julienne strips as well. Cutting the vegetables to a similar size ensures they cook evenly and look appealing.

Step 9

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and stir-fry over medium-low heat for about 1 minute until fragrant, creating a garlic-infused oil. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 10

Once the garlic is fragrant, add the onion, carrot, and the prepared sea mustard stems to the pan. Stir-fry over high heat for about 3 minutes. It’s important to keep the vegetables crisp.

Step 11

Reduce the heat to low. Add the seasoning sauce ingredients: 2 tablespoons mirin, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1/4 tablespoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Then, increase the heat back to medium and stir continuously for another 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are well combined with the sauce.

Step 12

Finally, taste a piece of the sea mustard stem. If it needs more seasoning, add a little more salt or soy sauce to adjust to your preference. Adjusting the seasoning to your liking is the most important step.

Step 13

Once the seasoning is well incorporated, turn off the heat. Sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds on top for both visual appeal and a nutty flavor. Your delicious, perfectly seasoned, not-too-salty stir-fried sea mustard stems, bursting with the freshness of the sea, are now ready!

Step 14