Spicy and Sweet Whelk Noodle Salad
A Popular Dish: Spicy Whelk and Chewy Noodles! Enjoy this classic at home.
This spicy and sweet whelk noodle salad features the chewy texture of whelks perfectly balanced with bouncy noodles. It’s a delightful dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its refreshing tang and vibrant flavors.
Whelk Noodle Salad Ingredients- 1 can (small) canned whelks
- 1 serving of Jjolmyeon noodles
- 3 fresh plums
- 1/3 cucumber
- 1/4 small onion
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1 green chili pepper
- 1 handful of bean sprouts
Spicy and Sweet Dressing Ingredients- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (for sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp soda water (for a lighter sauce)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp whelk can liquid (adds umami)
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (for sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp soda water (for a lighter sauce)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp whelk can liquid (adds umami)
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
✨ Pro Tip for Garnishes: Finely slice the green onion for a beautiful finish! First, cut the green onion into three equal parts. Then, make lengthwise slits on one side of each part and carefully remove the inner core, which can be a bit tough. Now, roll the green onion lengthwise tightly and slice it thinly against the grain. This technique ensures neat, uniform strands. Rinse the green onion strands in cold water a couple of times to make them crisp and drain them well. (If you have leftover green onion slivers, feel free to use them!)
Step 2
Rinse the bean sprouts thoroughly. In a pot, add the bean sprouts with about half a cup of water, cover, and boil for 3 minutes until they are tender yet still slightly crisp. Immediately rinse them under cold running water to stop the cooking and keep them fresh. Now, bring a generous amount of water to a boil for cooking the Jjolmyeon noodles. If the noodles are clumped together, lightly dampen them with water and gently rub them with your hands to separate them easily before cooking.
Step 3
While the water is coming to a boil, prepare the cucumber. Wash it well, then cut it into slightly thick matchsticks. Next, thinly julienne the onion.
Step 4
🌟 Easy Plum Pit Removal: To easily remove the pit from the plums, make a circular cut around the pit, going just deep enough to reach it. After making this cut, gently twist the halves apart, and the pit should release easily. For the other half, you can use a spoon to scoop out the pit. Slice the plum halves into bite-sized wedges or strips, following their natural shape. (The plum’s sweet and tart flavor will add a wonderful zest to the salad!)
Step 5
Now it’s time to make the delicious dressing! In a bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: minced garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, plum extract, soda water, soy sauce, whelk can liquid, double-strength vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds. Whisk everything together until well combined to create your flavorful sauce.
Step 6
Once the water is boiling rapidly, add the Jjolmyeon noodles and cook for about 2 minutes. Immediately drain them and rinse thoroughly under cold water to ensure they are perfectly chewy and not mushy. Drain them very well.
Step 7
✨ Let’s Mix Everything Together! In a large mixing bowl, combine the well-drained Jjolmyeon noodles, blanched bean sprouts, julienned cucumber and onion, sliced plums, and the canned whelks. Pour the prepared spicy and sweet dressing generously over the ingredients. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the sauce evenly coats the noodles and vegetables. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break the noodles.
Step 8
Transfer the beautifully mixed whelk noodle salad to a serving dish. You can drizzle any extra dressing over the top if desired, and a final sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds a lovely finishing touch. Enjoy this incredibly flavorful and refreshing spicy and sweet whelk noodle salad!
