Acorn Jelly Salad (Dotori Muk Muchim): A Tangy and Spicy Side Dish Recipe
Acorn Jelly Salad (Dotori Muk Muchim): A Tangy and Spicy Side Dish Recipe
How to Make Acorn Jelly Salad: A Chewy, Spicy, and Refreshing Side Dish
Introducing a delicious Acorn Jelly Salad that’s chewy, spicy, and refreshingly tangy! Perfect as a simple side dish or a delightful appetizer.
Main Ingredients- 1 block Acorn Jelly (approx. 300-400g)
- 1/2 Cucumber
- 10 Lettuce leaves
- 10 Perilla leaves
- 10 Stems of Crown Daisy (Shungiku)
Seasoning Ingredients- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1.5 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1.5 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 1.5 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients for the Acorn Jelly Salad. Lightly rinse the acorn jelly under running water. Wash the cucumber thoroughly. Separate the lettuce leaves, wash them, and pat them dry. Trim the ends of the crown daisy stems and wash them as well.
Step 2
Cut the prepared acorn jelly into bite-sized pieces. It’s common to cut it into long strips about 1-1.5 cm thick or into bite-sized squares. Cutting it too thin might reduce the chewy texture, so maintaining a moderate thickness is key. Slice the cucumber in half, remove the seeds if desired, and then thinly slice it into rounds or julienne it. Tear the lettuce and perilla leaves into large pieces by hand or cut them into strips about 2-3 cm wide. Cut the crown daisy into lengths of about 5 cm.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumber, lettuce, perilla leaves, and crown daisy. Now, add all the seasoning ingredients: minced garlic, gochugaru, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. Gently mix these ingredients with your hands, ‘jobal-jobal’ (a gentle massaging motion), to evenly coat the vegetables. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this can make the vegetables mushy; a gentle mix is the best approach.
Step 4
Add the cut acorn jelly, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds to the seasoned vegetables. Now, gently mix all the ingredients together with your hands until well combined. Be careful not to break the acorn jelly while ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout. You’ll notice a wonderful nutty aroma from the sesame oil and seeds.
Step 5
Finally, plate the delicious Acorn Jelly Salad attractively in your chosen serving dish. For an extra touch, sprinkle some more toasted sesame seeds on top if desired. It can be enjoyed immediately, or for an even more refreshing taste, chill it in the refrigerator for a short while. Enjoy this fantastic Acorn Jelly Salad, a perfect accompaniment to rice or a great snack!
