Spicy Seasoned Sea Spinach (Seomcho) – A Winter Delicacy
Enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor of Seomcho, a sea spinach only available in winter.
Seomcho, harvested only in winter, is sweeter and more delicious than regular spinach. Today, we’re making a spicy and flavorful seasoned dish with this special Seomcho. Its unique sweetness combined with a hint of spice creates a delightful contrast that’s perfect for any meal.
Main Ingredients
- 350g Seomcho (Sea Spinach)
- Pinch of salt (for blanching)
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
Seasoning
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1 tsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1 tsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1.5 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Gently rinse the fresh Seomcho under running water multiple times to remove any dirt or impurities. Make sure to clean the root areas thoroughly.
Step 2
Once cleaned, trim the Seomcho into bite-sized pieces. If cut too small, they might become mushy. Depending on the size of the spinach, cut them into 4 to 8 pieces.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and add a pinch of salt. Carefully add the prepared Seomcho and blanch for about 1 minute. Avoid overcooking, as it can make the texture too soft. Immediately transfer the blanched spinach to cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve its vibrant green color.
Step 4
Gently squeeze out excess water from the blanched Seomcho using your hands. Excess water can dilute the seasoning. In a bowl, combine the Seomcho with all seasoning ingredients except for the perilla oil and sesame seeds: gochujang, minced garlic, plum extract, anchovy sauce, soy sauce, and chopped green onion. Gently toss to coat the spinach evenly with the seasonings.
Step 5
Finally, add the perilla oil and toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and flavor. Toss gently one more time to combine. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6
Transfer the beautifully seasoned spicy and sweet Seomcho salad to a serving dish. Your delicious winter delicacy is now ready! It pairs wonderfully with a warm bowl of rice.
