Savory and Refreshing Salted Shrimp Salad (Saeujeot Muchim)
The Ultimate Saeujeot Muchim: A Flavorful Korean Side Dish
Saeujeot, or salted fermented shrimp, is a classic pairing with pork, making it a staple with dishes like bossam (boiled pork wraps) and suyuk (boiled pork slices). This is because the digestive enzymes in shrimp aid in breaking down the fats in pork. Saeujeot Muchim, a vibrant salad made with finely chopped vegetables mixed into saeujeot, not only lowers the saltiness but also enhances the flavor. It’s perfect not just as a side for pork but also as a delicious condiment for ssam밥 (rice wraps). Discover how to make this versatile and delightful dish!
Main Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp Saeujeot (salted fermented shrimp), lightly rinsed
- 1 stalk green onion (about 5cm long)
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/6 small onion
- 1 Korean chili pepper (cheongyang chili)
Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- A pinch of sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- A pinch of sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly rinse the saeujeot under running water. This helps to reduce its saltiness. Be careful not to rinse too vigorously, as this can diminish the flavor.
Step 2
Wash the onion, remove the outer skin, then make crosswise and lengthwise cuts to finely mince it. Finely mincing the vegetables ensures the seasoning is evenly distributed and makes the dish easier to eat.
Step 3
Trim the root end of the green onion, wash it thoroughly, then cut it lengthwise and mince it finely. Have your minced garlic ready.
Step 4
Remove the stem from the Korean chili pepper, slice it in half lengthwise, and scrape out the seeds. Then, mince it very finely. If you enjoy a spicier kick, you can leave some seeds in.
Step 5
In a mixing bowl, combine the rinsed saeujeot, minced onion, minced green onion, minced garlic, and minced Korean chili pepper. Add all the seasoning ingredients: mirin, sugar, gochugaru, toasted sesame seeds, and sesame oil.
Step 6
Mix all the ingredients and seasonings thoroughly using a spoon or spatula until well combined. Ensure the saeujeot is not clumped and is evenly distributed with the vegetables and seasoning. This thorough mixing is key to a great flavor.
Step 7
Transfer the prepared Saeujeot Muchim to a serving dish. Your delicious and flavorful salted shrimp salad is now ready to be enjoyed! It’s a wonderful side dish for rice or a perfect accompaniment to pork dishes.
