Spicy, Sweet, and Slightly Pungent Chive and Onion Salad
Spicy, Sweet, and Slightly Pungent Chive and Onion Salad
The Perfect Side Dish for Samgyeopsal: A Refreshing Chive and Onion Salad Recipe
I made this delicious chive and onion salad, perfect for using up a bunch of chives! It’s a great way to use leftover chives after making savory pancakes, and it’s fantastic alongside grilled pork belly (samgyeopsal), cutting through the richness. It also makes a wonderful side dish for rice! (Measurements are based on standard adult Korean rice spoons.)
Main Ingredients- 15 stalks fresh chives
- 1/2 medium onion
Sweet and Tangy Dressing- 4.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, fine)
- 2.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 4.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, fine)
- 2.5 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp double-strength vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the fresh chives thoroughly. Then, cut them into approximately 5cm lengths, making them easy to eat. Cutting them to a manageable size is important, as they can be cumbersome if too long.
Step 2
Peel the onion and slice it thinly into julienne strips, about 2mm thick. Thin slicing helps the dressing penetrate better and improves the texture.
Step 3
To maintain the onion’s crispness and slightly mellow its sharpness, soak the julienned onions in cold water for about 5 minutes. Afterwards, drain them completely in a colander. Any remaining water can dilute the dressing.
Step 4
While the onions are draining, let’s prepare the delicious dressing. In a large bowl, add 3 tablespoons of fine gochugaru. This will give the salad a beautiful color.
Step 5
Add 2.5 tablespoons of sugar for sweetness. You can adjust this amount to your preference if you like it less sweet.
Step 6
Add 4.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, the base for umami. The overall saltiness will depend on the amount of soy sauce used, so feel free to adjust it to your taste.
Step 7
Pour in 1.5 tablespoons of double-strength vinegar for a tangy kick. If you enjoy a more pronounced sourness, you can add a little extra.
Step 8
Add 1 tablespoon of fragrant sesame oil for richness. Adding it towards the end preserves its aroma.
Step 9
Finally, add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. Gently rubbing the seeds between your palms before adding them can enhance their nutty flavor.
Step 10
Now, mix all the prepared dressing ingredients together with a spoon until well combined, forming a smooth dressing. Ensure there are no lumps of sugar or gochugaru; a smooth consistency is key.
Step 11
Place the fresh chives, cut into 5cm lengths, generously into the prepared large bowl.
Step 12
Add the crisp, drained onions on top of the chives.
Step 13
Pour the delicious dressing you made earlier evenly over the chives and onions.
Step 14
Now, gently toss everything together with your hands, being careful not to mash the chives and onions. Once the dressing is evenly distributed, your refreshing, sweet, tangy, and savory chive and onion salad is ready! You can enjoy it immediately, or for an even better flavor, chill it in the refrigerator for a short while.
