Spring Cabbage Salad (Bomdong Geotjeori)
How to Make a Delicious and Refreshing Spring Cabbage Salad
Spring cabbage, also known as ‘Bomdong’, is a vibrant green vegetable that signifies the arrival of spring. Even in modern times with year-round vegetable availability, this early spring vegetable was a welcome sight during winter. Its deep green color hints at its sun-kissed healthiness. Though it might appear a bit sturdy from enduring the cold, its texture is surprisingly tender and crisp when chewed, making it perfect for a fresh, vibrant salad. This refreshing Bomdong Geotjeori, tossed with a light dressing, truly captures the essence of spring and invigorates your appetite.
Main Ingredients- 2 heads of spring cabbage (Bomdong)
- 1/2 piece of radish (approx. 1.5 cm thick)
- 1 piece of carrot (approx. 1 cm thick)
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 Tbsp salt
Dressing Ingredients- 1/4 apple
- 3 red chili peppers
- A small piece of ginger (about the size of half a garlic clove)
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 onion
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1/2 piece of radish (approx. 1.5 cm thick)
- 1/4 apple
- 3 red chili peppers
- A small piece of ginger (about the size of half a garlic clove)
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 onion
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or similar)
- 1 Tbsp salted shrimp
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1/2 piece of radish (approx. 1.5 cm thick)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Trim the tough base of the spring cabbage heads. Gently separate the leaves one by one and soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes to refresh them. Rinse the leaves thoroughly 2-3 times under running water. Drain them well in a colander. Cut the leaves into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 segments each.
Step 2
Prepare the vegetables for the salad and dressing. Halve the 1/4 onion and the 1.5 cm thick radish piece, dedicating half of each to be julienned for the salad and the other half for the dressing. Finely julienne the onion and radish intended for the salad. Julienne the green onion and carrot as well.
Step 3
Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender. Add the remaining half of the onion, half of the radish, 1/4 apple, 3 red chili peppers, 3 Tbsp minced garlic, a small piece of ginger, 2 Tbsp fish sauce, 1 Tbsp salted shrimp, and 1 Tbsp plum extract. Blend until smooth to create the dressing base.
Step 4
Add 2 Tbsp of red pepper flakes and 1/3 Tbsp of salt to the blended dressing mixture. Stir well to combine everything. This creates a flavorful and vibrant dressing for your Bomdong Geotjeori.
Step 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared spring cabbage, julienned green onion, onion, and carrot. Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the cabbage leaves are coated but not bruised. The key is to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables.
Step 6
Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds over the salad for added aroma and nutty flavor. Transfer the finished Spring Cabbage Salad to a serving dish. Enjoy this fresh, crisp, and delicious salad immediately for the best taste!
