Crisp & Sweet Raw Sweet Potato Salad
Crisp & Sweet Raw Sweet Potato Salad
A Quick and Refreshing Raw Sweet Potato Side Dish
A signature recipe from a seasoned banchan (side dish) shop owner. This dish is surprisingly flavorful and delicious! It’s a delightful side that combines the crisp texture of sweet potatoes with the refreshing tang of apples, perfect for whetting your appetite.
Main Ingredients- 2 Sweet Potatoes (approx. 400g)
- 1 Apple
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the sweet potatoes thoroughly.
Step 2
Slice the peeled sweet potatoes into thin julienne strips, about 3mm thick. Using a mandoline slicer or a grater can make this easier and ensure uniform thickness for optimal crispiness. (I used a mandoline, which resulted in thin, even slices that really enhanced the crunchy texture.)
Step 3
Mandoline slicers are relatively safe to use as they minimize the risk of cuts, making them suitable for cooking with children. (In fact, I bought one for each of my daughters, and they use them very well.)
Step 4
Place the julienned sweet potatoes in cold water for 10 minutes to remove excess starch. This step helps reduce stickiness and results in a cleaner taste.
Step 5
Repeat the starch-removing process by soaking them in cold water for 10 minutes, three times in total, until the water runs clear. After the last rinse, drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 6
Wash the apple well, keeping the peel on. Remove the core and julienne it into strips similar in thickness to the sweet potatoes. Leaving the peel on adds a refreshing flavor and extra crunch.
Step 7
In a large bowl, combine the drained sweet potato strips and julienned apple. Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients: gochugaru, fish sauce, double-concentrated apple vinegar, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, salt, and sugar.
Step 8
Gently mix everything together to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed on the sweet potatoes and apples. Unlike radish salad (moo saengchae), this dish doesn’t release a lot of water, but the apple’s natural juices might make it slightly moist.
Step 9
Finally, garnish with finely chopped scallions or, if you prefer a little heat, finely chopped chili peppers. Enjoy your beautifully finished dish! (If you don’t have scallions, adding chili peppers as I did gives it a wonderfully zesty kick.)
