Spicy & Tangy Whelk Salad (Golbaengi Muchim) with Perfect Sauce Ratio
The Ultimate Appetizer to Boost Your Appetite: Seaside Arrowwort Whelk Salad with a Secret Golden Ratio Sauce!
With this recipe, even ‘cooking beginners’ can whip up a ‘guaranteed delicious’ whelk salad! Enjoy a delightfully tangy and sweet whelk salad using leftover vegetables from your fridge, fragrant seaside arrowwort, and chewy whelks. Add some chewy somyeon noodles, and it transforms into a satisfying meal without needing rice! This is a magically simple yet incredibly flavorful recipe. Shall we get started? ^^
Main Ingredients- 1 can (400g) canned whelks
- 2 handfuls cabbage (shredded into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 handful carrot (julienned)
- 2 handfuls seaside arrowwort (rinsed and drained)
Tangy & Sweet Golden Ratio Sauce- 2.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2-3 Tbsp whelk can liquid (removes fishiness & adds umami!)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup – adds tanginess, sweetness, and shine)
- 3 Tbsp vinegar (the key to a refreshing taste!)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine – removes odor & enhances flavor)
- 2.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – adjust spiciness to your preference)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce (for deep umami)
- 1 tsp tuna extract or fish sauce (maximizes umami)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (for a pungent aroma)
- A little sesame oil (for nutty fragrance)
- A little toasted sesame seeds (for crunch and visual appeal)
- 2.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2-3 Tbsp whelk can liquid (removes fishiness & adds umami!)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum syrup – adds tanginess, sweetness, and shine)
- 3 Tbsp vinegar (the key to a refreshing taste!)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine – removes odor & enhances flavor)
- 2.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes – adjust spiciness to your preference)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce (for deep umami)
- 1 tsp tuna extract or fish sauce (maximizes umami)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (for a pungent aroma)
- A little sesame oil (for nutty fragrance)
- A little toasted sesame seeds (for crunch and visual appeal)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the fragrant seaside arrowwort. To remove its slight saltiness and any impurities, soak it in cool water for about 5 minutes. Then, rinse it thoroughly 2-3 times under running water. Drain it well in a colander to remove excess water.
Step 2
Now, let’s get the vegetables ready to be mixed with the main ingredient, whelks. Wash the cabbage and shred it coarsely. Peel and thinly slice the onion. Julienne the carrot for a pretty color and nice texture. Have your pre-rinsed seaside arrowwort ready as well.
Step 3
Don’t discard the whelk liquid! Reserve it for the sauce, as it adds a wonderful depth of flavor. Drain the whelks from the can and rinse them gently under clean running water to remove any can odor. This step helps enhance the whelks’ natural taste.
Step 4
Here comes the start of our sauce! In a bowl, combine the drained whelks, the reserved whelk liquid, minced garlic, and mirin. Gently toss them together. This initial marination infuses the whelks with flavor.
Step 5
Now it’s time to mix everything with the tangy and sweet golden ratio sauce! Combine all the sauce ingredients: gochujang, sugar, maesilcheong, vinegar, gochugaru, soy sauce, tuna extract, and minced garlic. Pour this sauce over the vegetables and whelks. Important tip: Don’t overmix or knead vigorously! Doing so can make the vegetables soggy and release too much water. Gently toss the ingredients, as if you’re coating them with a dressing, until everything is evenly coated.
Step 6
Finally, add the fragrant seaside arrowwort. To preserve its crisp texture, add it last and toss gently just a couple of times. This ensures the arrowwort remains fresh and crunchy.
Step 7
We’re on the final stretch! Just before serving, drizzle with a little sesame oil and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds. The nutty aroma of sesame oil and the crunch of sesame seeds will elevate the dish even further. Toss lightly and plate beautifully for a mouth-watering, delicious whelk salad!
