Savory Winter Radish Side Dish (Munamul)
Simple Stir-fried Radish Side Dish Made with Sweet Winter Radishes
Winter radishes are prized for their excellent nutrition and superb taste, so much so that they’re said to be worth trading for ginseng. Today, we’re preparing a delicately stir-fried radish dish without any spicy ingredients, making it perfect for children to enjoy. It’s a wonderful addition to bibimbap or can be seasoned lightly to become a hearty side dish. Experience a healthy and delicious meal with this subtly flavored, deeply satisfying winter radish side dish!
Ingredients
- Winter radish (approx. 10cm diameter, 6cm length) 1
- Sugar 1/2 tsp
- Cooking oil 1 Tbsp
- Green part of 1 scallion stalk
- Coarse sea salt 1 tsp
- Minced garlic 1 tsp
- Toasted sesame seeds 1/2 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly peel the winter radish and then julienne it into about 0.3cm thick strips. If you cut them too thinly, they tend to break apart during cooking. For a pleasant texture, avoid cutting them too finely.
Step 2
Finely chop the scallion. The fragrant scallion will beautifully complement the radish.
Step 3
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the julienned radish and begin to stir-fry. Cooking over gentle heat, rather than high heat, ensures the radish cooks evenly and becomes tender without burning.
Step 4
Once the radish starts to soften, add 1/2 tsp of sugar. The sugar enhances the radish’s natural sweetness and, through osmosis, helps it cook faster. This process also allows the radish to release its own juices (radish water), which can reduce the need for added oil.
Step 5
Observe the radish as it becomes translucent and cooks. It will release a good amount of its own liquid, so you don’t need to add too much oil initially. This natural liquid acts as a flavorful broth.
Step 6
When the radish is fully translucent and the liquid has slightly reduced, season with 1 tsp of coarse sea salt. This balances the natural sweetness of the radish and adds a clean, savory note.
Step 7
Add the chopped scallions to the seasoned radish and mix gently. The refreshing flavor of the scallions will further enhance the dish’s aroma and taste.
Step 8
After lightly mixing in the scallions, immediately add 1 tsp of minced garlic. The pungent aroma of garlic will enrich the radish side dish. Be careful not to overcook the garlic, as it can develop a bitter taste; add it towards the end and cook briefly.
Step 9
Finally, drizzle in 1/2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds and 1/2 Tbsp of sesame oil for a fragrant finish. Give it a final gentle toss to combine all the flavors. Your simple yet delicious winter radish side dish is ready! Isn’t it incredibly easy? Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice!
