Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Bean Sprouts (Baek Jong Won Style)
Spicy and Sweet Seasoned Bean Sprouts (Baek Jong Won Style)
The Nation’s Favorite Side Dish! Baek Jong Won’s Bean Sprout Salad Recipe
Let’s make the beloved national side dish, seasoned bean sprouts, the delicious Baek Jong Won way! This bean sprout dish is surprisingly flavorful for its affordable price and ease of preparation. While it’s great seasoned lightly, today we’re going to make it spicy and enjoy its crispiness. I’ll share Baek Jong Won’s golden recipe, which is simple enough for anyone to follow, with detailed instructions.
Today’s Ingredients- 1 bag bean sprouts (approx. 300g)
- 1/4 carrot
- 1/4 green onion
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly rinse the bean sprouts under running water 2-3 times. It’s important to wash them carefully to remove any dirt or debris. Once washed, place them in a colander to drain well.
Step 2
Boil a generous amount of water in a pot over high heat. Once the water is at a rolling boil, add all the prepared bean sprouts. Cover the pot and let them blanch for exactly 5 minutes. (Tip: To prevent a fishy smell, it’s best to keep the lid on while blanching. 4-6 minutes is generally recommended, but 5 minutes helps maintain a nice crisp texture.)
Step 3
While the bean sprouts are blanching, prepare the other ingredients. Finely chop the green onion (both white and green parts). Peel and thinly julienne the carrot. Carrots add color, so you can omit them if you don’t have any.
Step 4
After 5 minutes, quickly transfer the blanched bean sprouts to a bowl of cold water to cool them down. This step helps keep the bean sprouts extra crisp and firm. Drain them thoroughly in a colander and then place them in a large mixing bowl.
Step 5
Add the chopped green onion and julienned carrots to the bowl with the blanched bean sprouts. Now, it’s time to add all the seasoning ingredients: 2 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and sesame seeds for a nutty flavor.
Step 6
Put on disposable gloves and gently mix everything together. The key is to mix lightly, using your fingertips, so you don’t break the bean sprouts or their heads! Toss them gently until all the seasonings are evenly distributed. Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and give it one last gentle toss to finish. If the seasoning isn’t quite right, adjust with a little more soy sauce or salt to your preference.
