Fragrant Seasoned Wild Ferns (Bujikkaengi)
Fragrant Seasoned Wild Ferns (Bujikkaengi)
Special Dish for Daeboreum! How to Make Delicious Ulleungdo’s Specialty Bujikkaengi
Introducing Bujikkaengi seasoned vegetables, capturing the aroma of the deep mountains. Using Bujikkaengi, a precious ingredient from Ulleungdo Island, create a delicious side dish with a unique scent and slightly bitter taste that stimulates your appetite. We recommend this as a special namul dish to add health and flavor to your abundant holiday table on Jeongwol Daeboreum!
Ingredients- 30g dried Bujikkaengi (wild fern fiddleheads)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (Guk-ganjang)
- 2 Tbsp perilla oil (Deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 stalk green onion, finely chopped
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried Bujikkaengi. Soak the dried fern fiddleheads in lukewarm water, rather than hot water. This will help them soften nicely.
Step 2
It’s important to change the soaking water multiple times. Rinse the fiddleheads with clean water and continue to soak them until the next day. Soaking for at least 12 hours is recommended.
Step 3
After soaking overnight, rinse the Bujikkaengi again with clean water. Place the soaked fiddleheads in boiling water and boil for about 20 minutes. The key is to boil them until they are tender and not tough.
Step 4
Rinse the boiled Bujikkaengi in cold water 2-3 times. This helps to remove any bitterness or astringency, resulting in a cleaner flavor.
Step 5
Gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the cleaned Bujikkaengi by hand. If there’s too much moisture left, the seasoned vegetables can become mushy, so ensure you remove excess water thoroughly.
Step 6
Now it’s time to season. Place all the squeezed Bujikkaengi into a frying pan.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce to season the vegetables and gently mix. Using soup soy sauce helps to bring out the natural flavor of the fern fiddleheads while adding umami.
Step 8
Next, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/4 stalk of finely chopped green onion, and 2 tablespoons of perilla oil for a nutty aroma.
Step 9
Gently toss the ingredients with your hands to combine all the seasonings evenly. Mix softly to avoid breaking the fiddleheads.
Step 10
Finally, place the seasoned fern fiddleheads in the frying pan and stir-fry over medium heat for about 1-2 minutes until the seasonings are well incorporated and slightly cooked. Turn off the heat, transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for extra nuttiness. Enjoy!
