Zesty and Sweet Lettuce Salad (Sangchu Geotjeori)
A Refreshing and Crispy Lettuce Salad Recipe
Did your fresh lettuce, so popular in the summer, start to wilt in the cold and end up forgotten in the back of the fridge? Today, let’s revive those sad lettuce leaves by making a deliciously tangy and sweet lettuce salad, ‘Sangchu Geotjeori’! This recipe is designed to bring back freshness and make it the perfect side dish to awaken your appetite. We’ve included detailed steps and helpful tips so even beginners can easily follow along.
Main Ingredients
- 1 basket of lettuce (approx. 100g)
- 1/2 medium onion
Salad Dressing
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 4 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 5 Tbsp Vinegar (rice vinegar or regular)
- 5 Tbsp Plum Extract (or corn syrup)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (for sweetness adjustment)
- 4 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 4 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 5 Tbsp Vinegar (rice vinegar or regular)
- 5 Tbsp Plum Extract (or corn syrup)
- 5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (for sweetness adjustment)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one basket of fresh lettuce. Carefully inspect each leaf, removing any wilted or damaged parts. Wash the lettuce thoroughly multiple times under running water. It’s crucial to drain the water well after washing. Excess water can dilute the dressing, so gently press out moisture with your hands or pat dry with paper towels.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing for our salad. In a large bowl, combine 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 4 Tbsp fish sauce, 5 Tbsp vinegar, 5 Tbsp plum extract, 5 Tbsp gochugaru, 3 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp sugar. Whisk everything together with a spoon or whisk until well combined and there are no lumps. Ensure the dressing is evenly mixed.
Step 3
Add the drained lettuce and thinly sliced onion to the bowl with the dressing. Here’s an important tip: don’t add all the dressing at once! Start by adding about half of the dressing and gently toss the ingredients. Once the lettuce is lightly coated, taste it and gradually add more dressing as needed to achieve your desired flavor. This method helps preserve the fresh taste of the lettuce while ensuring a perfectly seasoned salad.
Step 4
When mixing the lettuce, handle it very gently. If you toss or squeeze it too hard, the crisp texture will be lost, and the leaves can become bruised and mushy. Treat the lettuce as if you were handling a delicate ingredient. Use your fingertips to gently lift and fold the leaves, ensuring the dressing coats them evenly. This careful mixing is key to maintaining the refreshing crunchiness of the Sangchu Geotjeori.
Step 5
And there you have it! A beautifully tangy and sweet lettuce salad, Sangchu Geotjeori, that will make your mouth water just by looking at it. Serve it prettily on a plate. The harmony of fresh greens and savory dressing makes this an excellent side dish that pairs wonderfully with rice or meat dishes. Enjoy this delicious and vibrant lettuce salad!
