Spicy and Sweet Crispy Radish Salad (Mu Saengchae)
Spicy and Sweet Crispy Radish Salad (Mu Saengchae)
How to Make Delicious Mu Saengchae at Home
This is a simple and delicious Mu Saengchae (Korean radish salad) recipe that you can whip up with basic seasonings. Its spicy and savory flavor is so addictive that it’ll make you devour a bowl of rice in no time! It’s a perfect simple side dish.
Main Ingredients- 400g Korean radish (mu)
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, fine)
- A small amount of scallions or green onions
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract (or anchovy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds or ground sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the radish and scallions. The keys to a great Mu Saengchae are fresh radish and fragrant scallions. The ingredient list is simple, so you can make it without any hassle.
Step 2
Wash the radish thoroughly, peel it, and then slice it into approximately 0.5cm thick pieces. After that, julienne the slices into strips about 0.5cm wide. Using a mandoline slicer will make this process quick and uniform, which is very convenient.
Step 3
Add 1 Tbsp of coarse sea salt to the julienned radish and mix well. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to salt. Salting draws out the moisture from the radish, enhancing its crispy texture. You’ll notice water forming, just like in the picture.
Step 4
Rinse the salted radish briefly under running water to remove excess salt. Then, drain it thoroughly in a colander. Ensure all excess water is removed, as any remaining moisture can dilute the seasoning.
Step 5
To the drained radish, add 1.5 Tbsp of fine gochugaru and lightly mix with your hands. This initial step helps the radish absorb the chili flakes evenly, giving it a beautiful, consistent color.
Step 6
Next, add the prepared scallions (or green onions), minced garlic, tuna extract, plum extract, and sesame seeds. Gently toss everything together until well combined. It’s important to mix softly so that all the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Step 7
You can substitute the ground sesame seeds with whole toasted sesame seeds if you prefer. However, using freshly ground sesame seeds will significantly enhance the nutty aroma and flavor, making the salad even more delicious.
Step 8
Sesame oil is intentionally omitted in this recipe. This is to preserve the crisp, refreshing, and slightly spicy character of the Mu Saengchae itself. If you desire a touch of sesame oil, feel free to add a small drizzle at the very end.
