Yuja-infused Radish Salad
Refreshing Yuja-infused Radish Salad (Recommended Menu!)
Don’t let that radish in your fridge go to waste! Make a delicious side dish with this recipe. This Yuja-infused Radish Salad features a subtle citrus aroma and a delightfully crisp texture, making it a fantastic side for any meal. While it’s a great everyday banchan (Korean side dish), its refreshing quality makes it perfect for cutting through the richness of fried chicken, tonkatsu, grilled pork belly, or any hearty meat dish, acting almost like a palate-cleansing salad. It’s delicious right after making, but even better if you let it chill in the refrigerator for a day, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen.
Main Ingredients
- 1 small radish
- 2 Tbsp Yuja-cheong (citron preserves)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 dried chili pepper, minced
- A little bit of green onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the radish thoroughly. Then, slice it into consistent, thin strips, about 0.3 cm thick. Aim for a thickness that is neither too thin (which can become mushy) nor too thick (which might take too long to cook).
Step 2
Place the julienned radish in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Gently toss to coat, then let it sit for about 30 minutes to salt-cure. This process draws out excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture and preventing the salad from becoming watery later.
Step 3
After 30 minutes, you’ll notice a significant amount of water has been released from the radish. Without rinsing, firmly grasp the radish strips with both hands and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. The crispness of your final salad depends heavily on how well you squeeze out the water – don’t be shy!
Step 4
Place the squeezed radish into a bowl. You’ll see how much drier and more pliable it has become, ready for seasoning.
Step 5
Now, add the seasoning: 2 tablespoons of sweet Yuja-cheong, 2 tablespoons of tangy vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of pungent minced garlic. This combination of sweet, sour, and aromatic flavors forms the delicious base for your radish salad.
Step 6
With all the ingredients in the bowl, gently mix everything together with your hands. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the radish strips for the best flavor.
Step 7
Finally, add the finely chopped green onion for freshness and the minced dried chili pepper (1 whole pepper) for a touch of heat. If you don’t have crushed red pepper flakes, you can rehydrate a dried chili pepper in warm water for a few minutes, then mince it finely. Mix these in gently. Your Yuja-infused Radish Salad is now complete.
Step 8
Look at this beautifully glossy and appetizing Yuja-infused Radish Salad! Enjoy its delightful tanginess, satisfying crunch, and the wonderfully subtle citrus aroma. This refreshing radish salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
