Sweet, Tangy, and Crispy Radish Salad (Mu Saeng Chae)
Sweet, Tangy, and Crispy Radish Salad (Mu Saeng Chae)
The Ultimate Side Dish to Awaken Your Appetite: How to Make Crispy Radish Salad
Make this sweet, tangy, and wonderfully crisp radish salad at home with ease. It perfectly complements any Korean meal and is guaranteed to be a rice-stealing side dish!
Radish Salad Ingredients- 1/3 medium Korean radish (approx. 300g)
- 2 stalks of spring onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for salting the radish)
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup for sweetness and shine)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (for enhanced flavor!)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and mild spice)
- 6 Tbsp vinegar (the key to its tanginess)
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the fresh radish and spring onions. Wash the radish thoroughly, peel it, and then rinse the spring onions under running water.
Step 2
Slice the radish into approximately 0.5cm thick pieces, then cut these into 4-5cm long julienne strips. Cutting them too thin can make them mushy, so aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 3
Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the julienned radish and gently mix. The salt helps to draw out moisture from the radish, ensuring a crisp texture.
Step 4
Stir in 1 Tbsp of oligodang (corn syrup or rice syrup) to add sweetness and a lovely sheen to the salad.
Step 5
Mix the radish well with the seasonings added so far. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to allow the radish to salt and soften slightly. This process wilts the radish while maintaining its crunch.
Step 6
After 20 minutes, you’ll notice water has been drawn out from the radish. It’s important to remove this excess liquid in the next step, as too much water can make the salad taste bland.
Step 7
Squeeze the salted radish firmly with your hands to remove as much liquid as possible. For even drier radish, you can press it gently with paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth.
Step 8
Once the excess moisture is removed, you’ll have perfectly softened and seasoned radish strips ready for the main dressing. It’s time to add the final flavor!
Step 9
Add the finely chopped spring onions on top of the drained radish strips. The fresh aroma of the spring onions will enrich the overall flavor of the salad.
Step 10
Pour in 1 Tbsp of maple syrup for a unique, rich sweetness and aroma. Maple syrup offers a different depth of flavor compared to regular sugar.
Step 11
Add 1 Tbsp of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to give the salad its vibrant red color and a pleasant kick of spice. Using fine gochugaru will result in a prettier color.
Step 12
Now for the star of the tangy flavor: 6 Tbsp of vinegar. You can adjust the amount of vinegar to your personal preference.
Step 13
Gently toss everything together with your hands, ensuring all the ingredients and seasonings are evenly combined. Mix vigorously to coat the radish well with the dressing!
Step 14
Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top for a nutty finish. Your visually appealing, sweet, tangy, and crispy radish salad is now complete!
Step 15
This homemade sweet, tangy, and crispy radish salad is incredibly delicious served with a bowl of hot, steamed rice. It’s a magical side dish that will bring back even the most absent appetite. Enjoy your delicious creation!
