Spicy & Sweet! Super Easy Whelk & Somyeon Salad
Spicy & Sweet! Super Easy Whelk & Somyeon Salad
Perfect for When You Have No Appetite! A Quick & Delicious Whelk & Somyeon Salad Recipe Using Canned Whelks
Suddenly, I saw whelk and somyeon salad on TV, and it completely took over my thoughts! I couldn’t get it out of my head, so I rummaged through my pantry and luckily found one can of whelks. Now, it’s time to raid the fridge for the remaining ingredients! Even though I only found pear, onion, carrot, and green onion, that’s more than enough to make a delicious dish. The combination of tangy and sweet sauce, chewy whelks, and springy somyeon noodles is always a delight. This recipe is so easy, even beginners can follow along. Let’s make it now!
Main Ingredients- 1 can (400g) canned whelks
- 1/2 pear
- 1 onion
- 1/4 carrot
- 1 stalk green onion
Tangy & Sweet Sauce- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup) or sugar
- 2 Tbsp hongcho (vinegar drink) or vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup) or sugar
- 2 Tbsp hongcho (vinegar drink) or vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- A pinch of sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vegetables. Peel and core the pear, then thinly slice it along with the onion. Slice the green onion diagonally, focusing on the white part. Drain the canned whelks thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 segments). Avoid cutting them too small, as this can affect the chewy texture.
Step 2
Get a large bowl or a wide mixing basin. Add the prepared whelks, sliced pear, onion, carrot, and green onion. Having all the ingredients in one bowl makes seasoning much easier.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious sauce! In a separate small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp gochujang, 3 Tbsp gochugaru, 1 Tbsp oligodang, 2 Tbsp hongcho (for tanginess), 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp plum extract, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, and a pinch of sesame seeds. Mix everything well. Using oligodang instead of sugar adds a nice sheen and a smoother flavor.
Step 4
Pour the well-mixed sauce over the ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this can mash the whelks or vegetables. Now, let’s cook the somyeon noodles, which are essential for this dish. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the somyeon, and cook until al dente and firm. Rinse the cooked noodles under cold water and drain them completely. This prevents the noodles from becoming mushy and keeps them delightfully chewy.
Step 5
There we go, almost done! Nicely plate the finished whelk salad and serve it with the cooked somyeon noodles on the side. For an extra touch, you can also add a boiled egg or sliced cucumber.
Step 6
Making this whelk and somyeon salad after so long made my mouth water the entire time. The spicy, tangy, and sweet aroma filled the house – I just couldn’t resist!
Step 7
This super easy whelk salad is perfect for stimulating your appetite with its bold flavors. It’s especially great as a refreshing dish on a hot day.
Step 8
When you mix this generously prepared whelk salad with the cooked somyeon noodles, the taste is simply fantastic! The spicy sauce clings perfectly to the noodles, making every bite incredibly delicious.
