Spicy & Sweet Sliced Scallion Salad (Ssam Mu-chim)
Spicy & Sweet Sliced Scallion Salad (Ssam Mu-chim)
Make Korean BBQ Style Scallion Salad at Home! All-Purpose Lettuce Salad Dressing Recipe
While wrapping grilled meat in lettuce is essential, a crisp and delicious scallion or lettuce salad is equally important! A refreshingly spicy and savory salad elevates the flavor of the meat, possessing a magical quality that makes you reach for it instead of a lettuce wrap, even if you initially intended to make one. This appetite-whetting dressing pairs wonderfully with lettuce, sliced scallions, and thinly sliced onions, so try making it right away!
Main Ingredients- 10 Lettuce leaves (approx. 70g)
- 1 Scallion (approx. 80g)
- 1/2 Onion (approx. 100g)
Dressing Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 8g)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (approx. 8g)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp Rice Vinegar (approx. 8g)
- 1/4 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 5g)
- 1/2 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste) (approx. 5g)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (approx. 5g)
- 1/3 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (approx. 1g)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (approx. 8g)
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce (approx. 8g)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (approx. 10g)
- 1 Tbsp Rice Vinegar (approx. 8g)
- 1/4 Tbsp Minced Garlic (approx. 5g)
- 1/2 tsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste) (approx. 5g)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (approx. 5g)
- 1/3 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (approx. 1g)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 10 lettuce leaves. About 10 leaves of palm-sized lettuce will weigh approximately 70g.
Step 2
To wash the lettuce thoroughly, soak it in cold water for about 10-20 minutes to loosen any dirt or grime. After soaking, rinse gently.
Step 3
If you want to wash it even more thoroughly, add 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar to the water while soaking the lettuce.
Step 4
After washing, shake off as much excess water as possible from the lettuce. Excess water can dilute the dressing and make the salad watery.
Step 5
Prepare one scallion, approximately 80g, and thinly slice it lengthwise. You can use a knife or a mandoline slicer, or opt for pre-cut scallions from the store for convenience. Instead of scallions, you can also use an equivalent amount of lettuce to make a delicious ‘lettuce salad’.
Step 6
Thinly slice half of a medium onion (about 100g).
Step 7
Cut the drained lettuce into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm long.
Step 8
If the scallions are particularly pungent, soak them in cold water for 5-10 minutes to reduce their spiciness before using. As with the lettuce, ensure to drain any excess water from the scallions.
Step 9
Now, let’s make the dressing. Combine all the dressing ingredients in the specified quantities. The measurements are based on common Korean rice spoons and weight; please note they may differ from standard tablespoon measurements.
Step 10
Add the sliced scallions and onions to the dressing first and mix well. By dressing the ingredients that wilt less first, you can help the lettuce retain its crispness for longer. Of course, if you prefer, you can add the lettuce and toss everything together at once.
Step 11
Now, add the prepared lettuce and gently mix everything together until well coated with the dressing.
Step 12
Doesn’t it look delicious? If you plan to make this ahead of time, omit the sesame oil and add it just before serving to preserve its fragrant aroma.
Step 13
What’s a great salad without delicious grilled meat? Let me share how to grill meat perfectly. Heat a pan over high heat and add pork neck or belly.
Step 14
Season with salt to your preference. If using a stainless steel pan, gently shake the pan to prevent sticking. Avoid flipping the meat too often; let one side cook undisturbed.
Step 15
After about 2-3 minutes, you’ll see the cooked portion climbing up the side of the meat, about 2/3 of the way up, depending on the thickness. This visual cue is key.
Step 16
At this point, flip the meat. It should be perfectly cooked. After flipping, cook for about 2/3 of the time it took to cook the first side.
Step 17
Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces and continue to cook until fully done inside.
Step 18
Don’t stir the meat around excessively in the pan. Wait until the pan is hot again, then perform a ‘wok toss’ (a flipping motion). This action will cause the hot oil to splash and meet the flame, infusing the meat with a wonderful smoky flavor!
Step 19
Enjoy the delicious grilled meat with your homemade lettuce salad. It’s a match made in heaven!
