Spicy & Tangy Cockle Salad with Noodles (Golbaengi Muchim Somen)
Spicy & Tangy Cockle Salad with Noodles (Golbaengi Muchim Somen)
Enjoy a Delicious and Quick Homemade Golbaengi Somen! It Pairs Perfectly with Fried Chicken and Jokbal (Pig’s Trotters)!
Thinking about Jokbal today made me crave this combination! We had delivery Jokbal and I quickly mixed up some cockles to go with it. It was incredibly delicious. Enjoy this amazing Golbaengi Somen recipe at home!
Main Ingredients- 1 can of canned sea snails (golbaengi)
- 1 handful of cabbage (about 1/4 of a small head)
- 10 perilla leaves
- 1 cucumber
- A little bell pepper (use various colors for visual appeal)
Seasoning for Cockle Salad- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Oligosaccharide Syrup (for gloss and smooth texture)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Extract (plum extract) or Plum Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 5 Tbsp Vinegar (rice or white vinegar recommended)
- 4 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 4 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup or Oligosaccharide Syrup (for gloss and smooth texture)
- 2 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Maesil Extract (plum extract) or Plum Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 5 Tbsp Vinegar (rice or white vinegar recommended)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare one cucumber. If you’re using a thin-skinned variety like ‘gasi-oi’, you can skip peeling. If using a regular cucumber, wash it thoroughly and then peel it thinly with a vegetable peeler.
Step 2
Once peeled (if necessary), rinse the cucumber and slice it into bite-sized pieces, about 0.5 cm thick half-moons. Thinly julienne the bell pepper after removing the seeds, and similarly julienne the cabbage. Wash the perilla leaves under running water, then stack them, roll them up, and thinly slice them into about 0.5 cm strips. These colorful vegetables will add wonderful flavor and texture to your salad.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning for the cockle salad. In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp Gochujang, 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce, 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic, 4 Tbsp Sugar, 1 Tbsp Corn Syrup, 2 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp Maesil Extract, 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil, and 5 Tbsp Vinegar. Stir well with a spoon until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Finally, sprinkle in 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds and mix again. This will create a wonderfully spicy and sweet sauce that will make your mouth water! Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of sugar or vinegar to your liking.
Step 4
Get ready one can of canned sea snails (golbaengi). Open the can, drain the liquid, and rinse the snails under running water. This step helps remove any excess oil or unwanted flavors, ensuring a cleaner taste.
Step 5
Place the rinsed golbaengi into a bowl. If any of the snails are particularly large, cut them in half to make them easier to eat. This also helps them absorb the seasoning better.
Step 6
Now it’s time to cook the chewy somen noodles. Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling vigorously, carefully add the somen noodles.
Step 7
As the somen noodles cook for about 1-2 minutes, the water will start to foam and rise. At this point, pour in about 1/2 cup of cold water to lower the temperature. Repeat this process two more times (boiling, then adding cold water – a total of three additions of cold water). This method ensures the noodles are cooked to a perfect chewy and firm texture. Once cooked, quickly drain the noodles and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Rinsing vigorously removes excess starch, preventing the noodles from becoming mushy and keeping them delightfully chewy.
Step 8
Finally, combine the prepared golbaengi and all the chopped vegetables in a large bowl. Pour all the prepared seasoning sauce over them. Gently mix everything together with your hands (wearing gloves is recommended for hygiene) until all the ingredients are well-coated with the sauce. Transfer the beautifully mixed golbaengi salad to a serving dish, and place the cold, rinsed somen noodles alongside it. Your delicious and visually appealing Golbaengi Somen is now ready! Serve it with Jokbal or fried chicken for a fantastic and satisfying meal.
