The Ultimate Soggy Clam Salad Recipe: Perfectly Chewy and Sweet
The Ultimate Soggy Clam Salad Recipe: Perfectly Chewy and Sweet
How to Make Delicious Soggy Clam Salad! Clam Prep, Boiling Method, and Secret Savory Sauce Recipe (Also includes Clam Cleaning and Cooking Tips)
I spotted a bounty of fresh clams at a seafood truck on my way home from work! I’d been craving clam salad for days, so I happily bought some. Surprisingly, preparing clams is much easier than other shellfish. I’m going to share the secret to making the most delicious clam salad, featuring the wonderfully chewy and sweet clams of the season. With the right method for boiling clams and a fantastic sauce recipe, you can enjoy this delightful dish at home anytime. Shall we get started on making this perfectly chewy and delicious clam salad together?
Main Ingredients- 1kg Ark Clams (Sae-kkomaq)
- 3 Tbsp Chives (finely chopped)
Sauce Ingredients- 2.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2.5 Tbsp Soy Sauce (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If you purchased clams that haven’t been purged, it’s best to let them sit in saltwater for at least an hour. Place 1kg of clams in a stainless steel bowl, cover them with water, and add about 1 tablespoon of salt. Then, cover the bowl with a dark cloth or plastic bag to block out light. Since we’ll be shucking the clams after boiling, perfect purging isn’t essential, but it’s good to remove some of the mud for a cleaner taste.
Step 2
After purging, put on rubber gloves and wash the clams thoroughly by gently but firmly rubbing them.
Step 3
Washing the clams might reveal dirt or impurities beneath the shells. Scrub the shells vigorously and rinse them multiple times to remove as much sediment as possible.
Step 4
Clams won’t open easily if dropped into boiling water. It’s crucial to add them when the water is just about to boil, with small bubbles starting to form. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water and bring it to a near boil.
Step 5
Once the water begins to simmer, add the clams and stir them in one direction with a spoon as they cook. When about 4-5 clams start to open slightly, immediately turn off the heat and remove them. Overcooking will cause the clam meat to lose moisture and become tough.
Step 6
As soon as 4-5 clams begin to open, quickly remove them from the hot water. Plunge them into cold water for a moment to stop the cooking process and cool them down. This will make it easier to shuck them.
Step 7
Shucking clams is much easier with a spoon. Insert the spoon into the gap at the back of the clam shell and gently twist to separate the halves.
Step 8
After shucking, there might be small shell fragments or residual mud on the clam meat. Look at the water you used to boil the clams: the sediment will have settled at the bottom, leaving clear water above. Carefully skim off this clear water and rinse the clam meat. This ensures the clams retain their natural flavor while being clean.
Step 9
Let’s make the delicious sauce! If you plan to make clam bibimbap (rice with clam salad), you’ll need extra sauce for the rice, so consider making a larger batch. Combine 2.5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Mix well.
Step 10
Add the finely chopped chives and the prepared sauce to the shucked clam meat. Gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. This results in a perfectly chewy and sweet seasonal clam salad!
Step 11
Here is the finished clam salad, beautifully plated. 1kg of ark clams is a generous portion for two people. A bowl of clam salad paired with a glass of chilled makgeolli (rice wine) is simply heavenly!
Step 12
Even my daughter, who is usually a picky eater, enjoyed the chewy texture of the clams and complimented how well the sauce flavors blended, saying it was delicious!
Step 13
Indeed, seasonal food is the best medicine! Clam salad is perfect as a side dish for rice or as a delightful appetizer with drinks. While the preparation might seem a bit involved, making it yourself will reward you with an incredibly delicious dish. Enjoy plenty of seasonal foods and stay healthy!
