Flavorful Aged Kimchi Salad (Muk-eunji Muchim)
How to Make Delicious Aged Kimchi Salad
When your aged kimchi (muk-eunji) reaches its peak flavor, and the summer heat makes you lose your appetite, try this simple and delicious aged kimchi salad recipe! It’s a real ‘rice thief’ that will have you craving more.
Main Ingredients- 1/4 head aged kimchi (muk-eunji), about 300g
- 5 stalks chives (buchu), about 30g
- 1 Cheongyang chili pepper (seeds removed)
Seasoning- 3 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 3 Tbsp perilla oil (deulgireum)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To mellow out the strong sourness of the aged kimchi and achieve a balanced taste, lightly rinse the kimchi under running water. Then, soak it in fresh cold water for about 5 minutes. This step helps reduce excessive sourness and enhances its crisp texture, making the kimchi more palatable and refreshing.
Step 2
After soaking, drain the aged kimchi thoroughly by squeezing out as much water as possible. This ensures the seasoning adheres well and prevents the salad from becoming watery. Once squeezed, cut the kimchi into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm long) and place them in a mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped chives, minced garlic, finely chopped Cheongyang chili pepper, and sugar to the bowl.
Step 3
Add 3 tablespoons of perilla oil (deulgireum) to deepen the flavor of the kimchi. The nutty and fragrant aroma of perilla oil will beautifully complement the aged kimchi, enriching its taste. If perilla oil is unavailable, you can substitute it with sesame oil, but the unique flavor of perilla oil is key to this recipe.
Step 4
Finally, generously add 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds for an extra nutty flavor. Lightly rub the sesame seeds between your palms before adding them to release more of their fragrant aroma. Sesame seeds not only add a delightful texture but also enhance the overall flavor profile and visual appeal of the dish.
Step 5
Now that all ingredients and seasonings are combined, gently mix everything together with your hands. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the kimchi mushy. The goal is to evenly coat all the kimchi pieces with the seasoning. Once everything is well combined and the seasoning is evenly distributed, your delicious aged kimchi salad is ready! Enjoy it immediately with rice, or chill it in the refrigerator for an even more refreshing taste.
