Spicy & Sweet Whelk Salad: A Flavorful Korean Appetizer
Spicy & Sweet Whelk Salad: A Flavorful Korean Appetizer
Easy & Delicious Whelk and Scallion Salad Recipe
Craving a late-night snack or a perfect accompaniment to drinks? This Whelk and Scallion Salad (Golbaengi Muchim) is the answer! You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make it incredibly tasty. Discover how to create a delightful dish with just one main ingredient, featuring the delightful chewiness of whelks and the fresh crispness of scallions, all coated in a perfectly balanced sweet, tangy, and spicy dressing. It’s a simple recipe that the whole family can enjoy!
Main Ingredients- 1 can of canned whelks (approx. 200g drained weight)
- 1 bunch of fresh scallions (approx. 100g)
Spicy & Sweet Dressing- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (regular)
- 2 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Korean plum syrup) or Corn Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (adjust sweetness to your liking)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (regular)
- 2 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (Korean plum syrup) or Corn Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup (adjust sweetness to your liking)
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by gathering all the ingredients for the recipe. You’ll need fresh scallions and a can of whelks.
Step 2
Wash the scallions thoroughly, then trim and cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7 cm long. Cutting them to a manageable length will make the salad easier to eat.
Step 3
Drain the liquid from the canned whelks. Rinse the whelks under cold running water to remove any excess brine or impurities. For an extra clean taste and to reduce any potential fishy aroma, you can place the rinsed whelks in a small bowl with a tiny amount of wasabi (about 1/4 tsp), gently mix, and then rinse again briefly. This step is optional but highly recommended.
Step 4
Proceed with thoroughly cleaning the whelks as described in the previous step. Using wasabi to remove any fishy taste is an optional but beneficial tip.
Step 5
If the cleaned whelks are quite large, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. While you can leave them whole, cutting them helps them absorb the dressing better and makes them easier to eat.
Step 6
Place the prepared whelks and the cut scallions together in a large mixing bowl. Now it’s time to create the delicious dressing.
Step 7
In a separate small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp Gochujang, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp Gochugaru, 2 Tbsp Maesil Cheong (or corn syrup), 1 Tbsp corn syrup, and 2 Tbsp vinegar. Whisk everything together until well combined and the sweeteners have dissolved. You can adjust the sweetness and tanginess to your personal preference. Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra aroma and flavor.
Step 8
Pour the prepared dressing over the whelks and scallions in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix or mash the ingredients; a gentle tossing motion is best. Your delicious Whelk and Scallion Salad is now complete!
Step 9
This salad is delicious on its own, but it’s truly exceptional when mixed with freshly cooked noodles or somen! It makes for a satisfying meal or a hearty late-night snack. We highly recommend trying it this way!
