Spicy and Sweet Skate Salad (Hong-eo Hoe Muchim)
Craving something spicy? Try this flavorful Skate Salad, perfect with drinks!
A staple during Korean holidays, this spicy and tangy Skate Salad is a must-have! This year, I’ve enhanced it by generously adding balloon flower roots (doraji) and refreshing cucumbers for an extra burst of flavor and texture. The zesty and savory dressing makes it an absolutely perfect accompaniment to drinks, and it was a huge hit! It’s a dish that truly awakens the appetite.
Main Ingredients- 750g Sashimi-grade Skate (Hong-eo)
- 3 Cucumbers
- 400g Balloon Flower Roots (Doraji)
- 1 handful Water Parsley (Minari)
- 15 Green Onions (Spring Onions)
- 5 Cheongyang Peppers (Korean Hot Peppers)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce- 1 cup Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 50ml Fish Sauce (e.g., Anchovy or Sand Lance)
- 50ml Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 50ml Corn Syrup (Mulyeot)
- 5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 cup Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
- 1 cup Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 50ml Fish Sauce (e.g., Anchovy or Sand Lance)
- 50ml Plum Extract (Maesil Cheong)
- 50ml Corn Syrup (Mulyeot)
- 5 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 cup Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the sashimi-grade skate. Lightly salt and drain the thinly sliced cucumbers. For the balloon flower roots, soak them in water to remove any bitterness, then drain well. Cut the water parsley and green onions into approximately 4-5 cm lengths. Finely mince the Cheongyang peppers.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, minced garlic, fish sauce, plum extract, corn syrup, sugar, vinegar, and sesame seeds. Mix thoroughly until the sugar and sesame seeds are well dissolved, creating a delicious sauce. (Tip: Using triple-strength vinegar can help prevent the salad from becoming watery and maintain a crisp texture. Adjust the amount of gochugaru based on the spiciness and saltiness of your gochujang. You can also add extra Cheongyang chili flakes if you like it extra spicy. Aim for a balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.)
Step 3
Add the prepared skate and balloon flower roots to the sauce. Gently mix them with your hands until well coated. Even at this stage, the combination of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors is already delicious!
Step 4
Finally, add the cucumbers, water parsley, green onions, and minced Cheongyang peppers. Gently toss everything together, being careful not to mash the vegetables, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed.
Step 5
Garnish generously with sesame seeds for added nutty aroma to complete this delightful Skate Salad. It’s a refreshing and savory dish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds!
