Spicy Skate Salad (Hong-eo Hoe Muchim)
Chewy and Delicious Skate Salad: A Perfect Blend of Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Flavors!
A must-have dish for holidays and special gatherings, this Skate Salad (Hong-eo Hoe Muchim) is a delightful combination of chewy skate, crisp vegetables, and a vibrant sweet, sour, and spicy sauce. We’ll share a detailed recipe that balances these flavors perfectly. This recipe is designed to be easy for beginners, with clear instructions to ensure a delicious outcome. Get ready to impress your guests or treat yourself to this exquisite dish!
Main Ingredients- 1kg Prepared Skate (use frozen skate from Korean markets)
- 1 Cucumber
- 1/3 Daikon Radish (approx. 200g)
- 4 Scallions
- 3 Red or Green Chili Peppers (adjust to your spice preference)
Skate Marinating Seasoning- 1/2 cup (100ml) Vinegar
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (40g)
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt (15g)
Vegetable Salting- 1/2 Tbsp Coarse Salt (for each vegetable)
Skate Salad Dressing- 6 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, 90g)
- 10 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, 70g)
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (40g)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup, 40g)
- 8 Tbsp 4x Concentrated Apple Vinegar (120ml, if using regular vinegar, add 12 Tbsp / 180ml)
- 1 tsp Salt (5g)
- 1 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soy sauce) or Fish Sauce (15ml)
- 4 Tbsp Minced Garlic (40g)
- 2 tsp Minced Ginger (10g)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- 1/2 cup (100ml) Vinegar
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (40g)
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt (15g)
Vegetable Salting- 1/2 Tbsp Coarse Salt (for each vegetable)
Skate Salad Dressing- 6 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, 90g)
- 10 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, 70g)
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (40g)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup, 40g)
- 8 Tbsp 4x Concentrated Apple Vinegar (120ml, if using regular vinegar, add 12 Tbsp / 180ml)
- 1 tsp Salt (5g)
- 1 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soy sauce) or Fish Sauce (15ml)
- 4 Tbsp Minced Garlic (40g)
- 2 tsp Minced Ginger (10g)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- 6 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste, 90g)
- 10 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, 70g)
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (40g)
- 4 Tbsp Oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup, 40g)
- 8 Tbsp 4x Concentrated Apple Vinegar (120ml, if using regular vinegar, add 12 Tbsp / 180ml)
- 1 tsp Salt (5g)
- 1 Tbsp Guk-ganjang (Korean soy sauce) or Fish Sauce (15ml)
- 4 Tbsp Minced Garlic (40g)
- 2 tsp Minced Ginger (10g)
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thaw the frozen skate purchased from the Korean market’s freezer section slowly in the refrigerator. (Approx. 1kg portion).
Step 2
Rinse the thawed skate gently under cold running water. Pat it dry, then slice it diagonally into bite-sized pieces, about 1cm thick, against the grain. You can remove the thick cartilage or finely mince it by pounding it with the back of your knife to add more chewiness to the dish.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the sliced skate with the marinating ingredients: 1/2 cup vinegar, 4 Tbsp sugar, and 1 Tbsp coarse salt. Gently massage the ingredients into the skate with your hands until well combined.
Step 4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the skate marinate in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. This process helps to remove any fishy odor, firms up the skate’s texture, and tenderizes it, resulting in a wonderfully chewy and pleasant bite. For an even deeper flavor, you can marinate it for half a day or overnight.
Step 5
After marinating, drain the excess liquid from the skate using a sieve. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible with your hands. This is crucial to prevent the final salad dressing from becoming too watery and to ensure the flavors are concentrated. Transfer the drained skate to a large mixing bowl.
Step 6
Wash the cucumber, remove the seeds, and slice it into pieces similar in size to the skate (about 1cm thick). Place the sliced cucumber in a separate bowl, sprinkle with 1/2 Tbsp coarse salt, and gently toss. Do the same for the daikon radish: peel and slice it into similar sizes, then salt and toss. After 15 minutes, thoroughly squeeze out the water from both the cucumber and radish. Add the drained vegetables to the bowl with the skate.
Step 7
In a separate large bowl, prepare all the ingredients for the skate salad dressing. Start by adding 6 Tbsp of gochujang.
Step 8
Next, add 10 Tbsp of gochugaru. You can adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your spice preference.
Step 9
Add 4 Tbsp of sugar and 4 Tbsp of oligodang for sweetness. Oligodang also helps give the salad a nice sheen.
Step 10
Add 8 Tbsp of 4x concentrated apple vinegar for a tangy kick. If using regular vinegar, increase the amount to 12 Tbsp. Add 1 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp guk-ganjang or fish sauce for umami. Finally, incorporate 4 Tbsp minced garlic and 2 tsp minced ginger for aromatic depth. Whisk all these dressing ingredients together until well combined, creating a flavorful and balanced sauce. Ensure it’s thoroughly mixed.
Step 11
Add the squeezed cucumber and daikon radish to the bowl with the skate and dressing.
Step 12
Gently toss all the ingredients—skate, vegetables, and dressing—together with your hands until everything is evenly coated.
Step 13
Cut the scallions into approximately 5cm lengths and add them to the salad. Slice the chili peppers diagonally and add them as well. Using red chilies can enhance the dish’s visual appeal.
Step 14
Give everything one final gentle toss to combine. Transfer the finished skate salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving. While it’s delicious immediately, allowing it to rest lets the flavors meld beautifully, resulting in an even more exceptional taste. Overnight refrigeration is highly recommended for optimal flavor development.
Step 15
Serve the skate salad on a nice platter, arranging it attractively. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a final touch of nutty flavor and visual appeal.
Step 16
The finished Skate Salad boasts a wonderful interplay of textures: the chewy skate, the crisp cucumber and radish, all enveloped in a perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and spicy dressing. Enjoy this incredibly flavorful and texturally exciting dish!
Step 17
This delicious skate salad is not only a fantastic standalone dish but also makes an exceptional topping for cold noodles, transforming them into a delightful Skate Noodle Salad.
Step 18
For an added touch of richness and aroma, drizzle a little sesame oil over the salad before serving, if desired.
Step 19
Enjoying this generous portion of homemade skate salad is a treat, and layering it generously over cold noodles for a spicy mixed noodle dish is another equally delightful option.
Step 20
Making your own ‘hoe naengmyeon’ (raw fish cold noodles) at home is particularly satisfying because you can load it up with plenty of delicious skate!
Step 21
Twirl the chewy skate and crisp vegetables into the cold noodles for a big bite! Wow, the flavor is simply incredible. The deep, complex taste of the dressing and the satisfying chewiness create a truly blissful experience. Enjoy your meal!
