Dried Pollack and Whelk Salad Recipe
Dried Pollack and Whelk Salad Recipe
Delicious Whelk Salad with Dried Pollack, Just Like the Old Days!
After recovering from COVID-19 isolation, my appetite returned, and I started craving a sweet and sour whelk salad. Although I don’t usually like very sour flavors, I find myself suddenly wanting this dish sometimes. So, I opened a can of whelks, added some vegetables I had on hand, and generously included dried pollack, a key ingredient, before mixing everything together. Nowadays, many store-bought whelk salads have very little dried thread-fin salmon or none at all. As dried seafood prices have soared, whelk salads seem to be losing their traditional dried ingredient components. Some also skimp on vegetables, loading up only on green onions! I find pre-made whelk salads to be quite lacking in ingredients for their price, which makes me less inclined to buy them. Seeing this homemade, generously portioned whelk salad made me feel proud, and the taste was absolutely amazing! Enjoy this delicious sweet and sour whelk salad, perfect as a side dish with drinks! ^^
Main Ingredients- 1 can Whelks (including some of the liquid)
- 1 cup Dried Pollack (approx. 50g)
- 1/2 Onion
- 1/2 Cucumber
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 3 tsp 3x Concentrated Vinegar (approx. 9 tsp regular vinegar)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- A little chopped Green Onion
- A little Sesame Seeds
- A little Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 3 tsp 3x Concentrated Vinegar (approx. 9 tsp regular vinegar)
- 1 tsp Minced Garlic
- A little chopped Green Onion
- A little Sesame Seeds
- A little Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Cut the dried pollack into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm) using scissors. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of the canned whelk liquid over the cut dried pollack and let it soak to soften. This process makes the dried pollack less tough and helps it absorb the seasoning better, resulting in a more delicious dish.
Step 2
Thinly slice the onion and soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes to remove its pungency. Squeeze out any excess water before setting aside. This step helps maintain the onion’s crisp texture.
Step 3
Wash the cucumber thoroughly, remove the seeds, and cut it into thin strips. Cucumbers add freshness and a satisfying crunch to the salad.
Step 4
If you have spicy chili peppers like Cheongyang or red chili peppers, thinly slice them. (Optional, adjust to your preference.)
Step 5
In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp gochujang, 2 Tbsp gochugaru, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp sugar, 3 tsp concentrated vinegar, and 1 tsp minced garlic. Mix well to create a delicious seasoning paste. Feel free to adjust the sweetness and sourness to your liking.
Step 6
Add the softened dried pollack, drained sliced onion, sliced cucumber, and sliced chili peppers (if using) to the prepared seasoning paste.
Step 7
Add the chopped green onion, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Gently mix everything together with your hands, ensuring the seasoning coats all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the vegetables soggy.
Step 8
Transfer the well-mixed whelk salad to a serving plate. Sprinkle a little more sesame seeds on top for an appealing finish. Enjoy this delightful dish as a side with your favorite drinks!
