Savory and Tender Stir-fried Chives (Buchu Namul Muchim)
A Delightful Side Dish: Savory and Tender Stir-fried Chives
I made a savory and tender stir-fried chives side dish using fresh chives from my garden. This lightly seasoned dish was perfect for adding generously to my bibimbap for dinner. Let me share how to make this simple yet delicious chive namul.
Main Ingredients
- 100g chives
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for blanching)
Seasoning
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 0.5 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 0.5 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, trim off any tough or wilted parts of the chives. Wash them thoroughly under running water 3-4 times to remove any dirt or debris.
Step 2
In a pot, bring enough water to fully submerge the chives to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 0.5 Tbsp of salt. (This helps the chives maintain a vibrant green color and a crisp texture.)
Step 3
Add the prepared chives to the boiling water and blanch very quickly, for about 10-15 seconds only. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will become mushy.
Step 4
Immediately remove the blanched chives and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Cooling them in cold water helps preserve their crispness and vibrant color. Squeeze out as much water as possible by hand.
Step 5
Cut the well-drained chives into bite-sized pieces, about 4-5 cm long. If they are too long, they can be difficult to eat in bibimbap.
Step 6
Place the cut chives in a large bowl. Gently fluff them up by lightly shaking or loosening them with your hands. This ensures the seasoning will be evenly distributed.
Step 7
Now, add all the seasoning ingredients to the bowl: 0.5 Tbsp soy sauce for soup, 0.5 Tbsp oyster sauce, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Gently toss the chives to coat them evenly with the seasoning, being careful not to mash them.
Step 8
Your savory and tender stir-fried chives (Buchu Namul Muchim) are now ready! Enjoy them as a delicious side dish, add them generously to your bibimbap, or use them as a topping for cold noodle soup (janchi guksu). They also make a wonderful filling for kimbap.
