Spicy and Sweet! Golden Recipe for Whelk Salad with Noodles
Altoran’s Euljiro Whelk Salad Golden Recipe: A Perfect Match with Chewy Somyeon!
On days when you crave something spicy and savory, here’s a recipe for Whelk Salad with Somyeon noodles that’s perfect for whetting your appetite. We use canned whelks and dried pollock to add depth of flavor, combined with fresh vegetables and a fantastic seasoning sauce that creates an unforgettable taste. Elevate your meal with Altoran’s signature Euljiro Whelk Salad, a dish you can enjoy at home!
Main Ingredients
- 1 can cooked whelks (with liquid)
- 1 handful dried pollock strips (approx. 20g)
- 2 cups (400ml) cider (or clear soda)
Seasoning Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (90ml)
- 12 Tbsp fine gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (approx. 70-80g)
- 3 Tbsp sugar (45g)
- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) (60g)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (45ml)
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (45ml)
- 3 Tbsp mustard paste
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Vegetable Ingredients
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/3 carrot
- 1/4 onion
- 1-2 hot peppers (like Cheongyang or red chili peppers), to taste
- 1/2 stalk green onion (white part mainly)
Noodle Ingredients
- 2 servings somyeon (thin wheat noodles)
- Pinch of sesame oil
- Pinch of salt (for boiling noodles)
- 6 Tbsp double-strength vinegar (90ml)
- 12 Tbsp fine gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (approx. 70-80g)
- 3 Tbsp sugar (45g)
- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste) (60g)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (45ml)
- 3 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (45ml)
- 3 Tbsp mustard paste
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
Vegetable Ingredients
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/3 carrot
- 1/4 onion
- 1-2 hot peppers (like Cheongyang or red chili peppers), to taste
- 1/2 stalk green onion (white part mainly)
Noodle Ingredients
- 2 servings somyeon (thin wheat noodles)
- Pinch of sesame oil
- Pinch of salt (for boiling noodles)
- 2 servings somyeon (thin wheat noodles)
- Pinch of sesame oil
- Pinch of salt (for boiling noodles)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, carefully open the can of cooked whelks. Separate the whelks from the liquid. The whelk liquid will be used for the seasoning sauce, so set it aside.
Step 2
Prepare 2 cups (400ml) of cider (or clear soda) in a clean bowl.
Step 3
Cut the separated whelks into bite-sized pieces. You can cut them in half or quarters, depending on your preference. Place the cut whelks into the cider and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This helps to remove any fishy smell and makes the whelks more tender.
Step 4
Prepare a handful of dried pollock strips. It’s best to remove any tough or bony parts before using.
Step 5
Cut the prepared dried pollock strips into manageable lengths.
Step 6
Lightly rinse the cut dried pollock strips under cold water to remove any dust or impurities. Place the rinsed pollock strips into about 1 cup (200ml) of the reserved whelk liquid and let them soak for about 10 minutes. This will soften the pollock and infuse it with the savory flavor of the whelk liquid.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce. In a bowl, combine 6 Tbsp double-strength vinegar, 12 Tbsp fine gochugaru, 3 Tbsp sugar, 3 Tbsp gochujang, 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp corn syrup, and 3 Tbsp mustard paste. Mix them well. To achieve the right consistency for the sauce, add about 1 cup (200ml) of the soaked pollock and whelk liquid. Stir until all ingredients are smoothly incorporated without lumps.
Step 8
Prepare the vegetables. Thinly julienne the cucumber and carrot. Slice the onion into thin strips as well. Finely chop the hot peppers (seeds removed) for a bit of heat. Slice the white part of the green onion into thin strips. (Cutting them into thin matchsticks, like for ‘pajeori,’ looks great!)
Step 9
Have the whelks (soaked in cider) and the pollock strips (soaked in whelk liquid) ready.
Step 10
Combine the whelks, softened pollock, and all the julienned vegetables (cucumber, carrot, onion, peppers) in a large bowl. Add a portion of the prepared seasoning sauce. It’s best to add the sauce gradually and taste as you go, rather than adding it all at once.
Step 11
Gently mix everything together with your hands. Be careful not to mash the vegetables. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed – add more soy sauce if it’s too bland, or a bit more sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
Step 12
Time to cook the somyeon noodles. In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 Tbsp of salt to the water. When the water is boiling vigorously, gently spread out the somyeon noodles to prevent them from clumping. Stir the noodles frequently for the first 1-2 minutes to ensure they don’t stick together. When the water starts to boil again, add 1 cup of cold water. Once it boils again, add another cup of cold water. Bring it to a boil a third time and then turn off the heat. (Adding cold water during boiling makes the noodles chewier!) Immediately drain the cooked noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This removes excess starch and makes the noodles firm and prevents them from becoming mushy.
Step 13
Drain the somyeon noodles well. Place them in a bowl and drizzle with 1-2 teaspoons of sesame oil. Gently toss to coat. This prevents the noodles from sticking together and adds a nutty aroma.
Step 14
Using chopsticks, twirl portions of the sesame oil-coated noodles into neat nests and arrange them attractively on a serving plate.
Step 15
In the center of the noodles, pile the thinly sliced green onion (pajeori style).
Step 16
Generously top the green onions with the prepared whelk salad. The vibrant colors of the whelks and vegetables make it visually appealing.
Step 17
Finally, add some julienned carrot around the dish for a pop of color. Sprinkle with chopped green onion leaves as a garnish. Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Step 18
Your Altoran Euljiro Whelk Salad is ready! This spicy and sweet dish, with its exceptional seasoning, is sure to capture everyone’s taste buds. The appetizing presentation and flavor are irresistible.
Step 19
Serve the finished whelk salad with the somyeon noodles on individual plates. Feel free to add extra seasoning sauce or vegetables to your liking.
Step 20
Mix the noodles and whelk salad together and savor the explosion of flavors in every bite! This delicious meal is perfect for relieving stress. Enjoy!
