Spicy and Sweet Pickled Chili Pepper Salad (Gochu Muchim)
How to Make Delicious Pickled Chili Pepper Salad at Home
Make a delicious gochu muchim using Cheongyang chili peppers that have been pickled for a month! A key tip for pickling chilies is to use salt at about 10% of the chili’s weight. In summer, you might want to add a bit more salt, and for preservation, adding soju at 0.5% ratio to the water helps prevent spoilage. Using Cheongyang chilies instead of milder ones enhances the umami flavor as they mature. Pickled chilies are beneficial for boosting appetite and aiding digestion. They can also help cool you down in hot weather by increasing body heat through the secretion of norepinephrine, a hormone in the sympathetic nervous system.
Main Ingredients- 40 well-pickled Cheongyang chili peppers
Seasoning Ingredients- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Fish sauce (anchovy sauce), to taste
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Fish sauce (anchovy sauce), to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the pickled chili peppers in cold water for about 10-15 minutes to gently remove excess saltiness. Once drained, pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. (For more detailed instructions on pickling chilies, please refer to [this link](@7007845).)
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the dried pickled chili peppers with all the seasoning ingredients: gochujang, gochugaru, minced garlic, sugar, honey, and plum extract. Add 2 tablespoons of honey for a moist and sweet flavor profile.
Step 3
Taste the chili peppers and add fish sauce if needed. While the saltiness of the pickled chilies often makes fish sauce unnecessary, you can add a tiny amount to enhance the umami flavor if desired. Adjust the seasoning to your preference and mix well.
Step 4
Finally, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish. This will result in a delicious pickled chili pepper salad that pairs wonderfully with rice. It’s a perfect side dish to revive your appetite on days when you don’t feel like eating!
