Crispy and Delicious Radish Salad (Musaengchae Muchim) Recipe
Crispy and Delicious Radish Salad (Musaengchae Muchim) Recipe
Utilize Your Radish! Fresh Radish Salad, a Perfect Side Dish
While organizing my refrigerator, I discovered a forgotten radish in the vegetable drawer! It immediately inspired me to make a fresh radish salad (Musaengchae Muchim), so I whipped one up quickly. I’ll also share tips on how to use different parts of the radish, making your radish dishes even easier. Forget the hassle of salting and drying; this recipe shows you how to create a restaurant-quality radish salad easily and swiftly at home!
Main Ingredients- 1/3 radish
- 4 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder, fine)
- 4 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- Scallions, a little
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
It’s best to use the radish peel as it’s nutritious and flavorful. However, if there are any blemishes or unclean spots, peel them off with a vegetable peeler, also removing the tough core at the same time. Trim off a small part of the root end as well.
Step 2
Cutting whole radishes into strips can be difficult as they tend to roll and slip. To make it easier, first cut the radish in half, place the flat side down on your cutting board, and then slice it lengthwise into long strips. This provides more stability.
Step 3
Now it’s time to julienne the radish. Using a mandoline slicer will allow you to cut the radish into uniform strips much faster than by hand.
Step 4
Instead of salting the radish directly in this recipe, we’ll use a ‘saltwater brine’! In a large bowl, combine coarse sea salt and water, making it sufficiently salty to taste. Submerge the julienned radish completely in the saltwater and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soften the radish.
Step 5
After about 10 minutes, you’ll notice that the radish, which was firm initially, has become noticeably softer. This step helps the radish become both crisp and receptive to seasoning.
Step 6
After removing the julienned radish from the saltwater, do not rinse it with water or squeeze out the liquid. It’s crucial to place it directly onto a sieve or colander and let the excess water drain naturally for a while.
Step 7
Transfer the drained radish to a clean bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 2 tablespoons of fine gochugaru and gently mix. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the radish mushy.
Step 8
Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar for a refreshing, tangy flavor. You can adjust the amount of vinegar or sugar to your preference. If you prefer a sweeter taste, using plum extract instead of sugar is also a delicious option.
Step 9
Gently mix all the seasonings until well combined. Taste and add any missing seasonings (salt, sugar, vinegar, etc.) according to your liking.
Step 10
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and finely chopped scallions, and mix gently. Finish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma. Your delicious radish salad is now ready!
