Spicy & Savory Stir-Fried Young Radish with Soybean Paste
Altolan’s Ultimate Savory Dish! Stir-Fried Young Radish with Soybean Paste
This is the ultimate savory dish, ‘Yeolmu Doenjang Jijim’ (stir-fried young radish with soybean paste), a recipe by Chef Im Sung-geun from the show ‘Altolan’. Experience the fantastic combination of crisp young radish and rich soybean paste. This dish offers a delightful texture and a deeply satisfying flavor that will have you reaching for seconds. Perfect for a hearty and flavorful meal!
Basic Ingredients- 250g fresh young radish, trimmed and cut into 5cm lengths
- 1 Tbsp coarse sea salt (for blanching)
Young Radish Seasoning Ingredients- 1.5 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong), 1 Tbsp soju
Stir-Frying Ingredients- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp water
- 10g dried anchovies, roasted (gutted and heads removed)
- 1/2 stalk green onion, chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, chopped
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 3 Tbsp roasted perilla powder
- 1.5 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (maesilcheong), 1 Tbsp soju
Stir-Frying Ingredients- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 3 Tbsp water
- 10g dried anchovies, roasted (gutted and heads removed)
- 1/2 stalk green onion, chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, chopped
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 3 Tbsp roasted perilla powder
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the fresh young radish by trimming off any yellow or wilted leaves and the tough root ends. Cut the radish into approximately 5cm (2-inch) lengths. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt, and blanch the young radish briefly. This step helps to retain the radish’s crisp texture and remove any unwanted flavors.
Step 2
Immediately after blanching, rinse the young radish under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Gently squeeze out excess water with your hands; be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can make the radish mushy. Once the water is lightly drained, cut the radish into bite-sized pieces, ready for stir-frying.
Step 3
Finely chop the red chili pepper (removing seeds if you prefer less heat) and slice the green onion diagonally. In a small bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients for the young radish: soybean paste, red pepper paste, fish sauce, minced garlic, plum extract, and soju. Mix them well to create the seasoning paste. Having your ingredients prepped and seasoned makes the cooking process much smoother.
Step 4
Add the prepared seasoning paste to the cut young radish. Gently toss and mix with your hands, ensuring each piece of radish is evenly coated with the flavorful marinade. Let it marinate for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 5
Prepare the roasted anchovies by removing their heads and guts for a cleaner taste. Place the dried anchovies in a dry pan and roast them over low heat until they become fragrant and slightly crispy. Be careful not to burn them.
Step 6
Now, let’s stir-fry. Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pot or deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add the marinated young radish and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes. This process allows the radish to absorb the flavors of the seasoning and develop a richer taste. Keep the heat moderate to prevent burning.
Step 7
Once the radish has been stir-fried for a bit, add the roasted anchovies and 3 tablespoons of water. Continue to stir-fry, allowing the savory notes from the anchovies to infuse into the dish. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry for another minute until they are fragrant.
Step 8
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in 1 tablespoon of perilla oil for its nutty aroma and 3 tablespoons of roasted perilla powder for an extra layer of flavor and texture. Continue to cook gently, stirring, until the sauce has thickened and reduced to your desired consistency. This concentrates the flavors beautifully.
Step 9
Finally, transfer the stir-fried young radish to a serving dish. Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a final touch of flavor and visual appeal. Your ultimate savory dish, Yeolmu Doenjang Jijim, is now ready to be enjoyed with a bowl of warm rice!
