Chewy and Tender Baby Octopus Salad (Dolmun-eo Muchim): Simple Prep to Delicious Recipe!
A Special Dish with Fresh Baby Octopus: Dolmun-eo Muchim Recipe – Detailed Guide on Cleaning, Boiling, and Flavorful Seasoning
I spotted some fresh-looking baby octopus at the market today and decided to make a special dish! This recipe is perfect for 2-3 people and covers everything from simple preparation and boiling to creating a delightful sweet and sour salad. It highlights the octopus’s natural chewiness, complemented by the crispness of fresh vegetables. This dish makes for a fantastic meal or a great accompaniment to drinks.
Main Ingredients- Baby Octopus (Dolmun-eo) 550g
- 3 Tbsp Flour (for cleaning octopus)
- 2 Tbsp Soju (for boiling octopus)
- 2 Celery stalks
- 1/2 Green Onion
- 1 Cheongyang Pepper (Korean red chili pepper)
Seasoning for Salad- 1 Tbsp Anchovy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Salt to taste (optional)
- 1 Tbsp Anchovy Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- Salt to taste (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Cleaning the Octopus: First, use scissors to cut between the head and the tentacles of the baby octopus. Remove the insides and ink sac, then rinse thoroughly under running water. After cleaning, add 3 tablespoons of flour to the octopus and vigorously rub the body and tentacles. The flour acts as an abrasive, helping to remove any slimy residue and impurities, making the octopus cleaner. Rinse again under running water once done.
Step 2
Boiling the Octopus: Fill a pot with enough water to cover the octopus and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add 2 tablespoons of soju. Soju helps to eliminate any fishy odors and makes the octopus more tender. Hold the octopus by the head and dip it into the boiling water 2-3 times, lifting it out briefly each time. This helps the tentacles curl nicely. Then, submerge the entire octopus in the boiling water and cook for about 2-3 minutes, depending on the size of the octopus. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Step 3
Slicing the Octopus: Carefully remove the beautifully curled, cooked octopus from the pot and let it cool slightly. Today, we’ll use half for a salad and the other half for simple boiled octopus (sukhoe). Slice the octopus into bite-sized pieces, about 1-1.5 cm thick. Avoid slicing too thinly to preserve its chewy texture.
Step 4
Preparing the Vegetables: Get the vegetables ready for the salad. Thinly slice 2 celery stalks diagonally for a refreshing crunch. Finely chop 1 Cheongyang pepper (seeds removed if you prefer less heat) for a touch of spice. Slice 1/2 green onion diagonally for added aroma. (Tip: If you have cucumbers, slicing them thinly and adding them will provide a cool, crisp element that pairs wonderfully with the octopus. Sliced apples can also add a unique sweetness and crunch.)
Step 5
Mixing the Octopus and Vegetables: In a bowl, combine the sliced baby octopus with the prepared celery, green onion, and Cheongyang pepper. (Tip: For an extra burst of freshness, thinly slice 2 lemon wedges and squeeze their juice over the mixture. I’ve added a little lemon juice today for a brighter flavor.)
Step 6
Making and Adding the Seasoning: In a separate small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of anchovy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil, and a pinch of toasted sesame seeds to create the dressing. Pour this dressing over the octopus and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little salt if needed.
Step 7
Serving: Your chewy and tender baby octopus salad (Dolmun-eo Muchim) is ready! The sweet and sour dressing makes it a wonderfully refreshing dish that stimulates the appetite. The remaining octopus can be enjoyed as a simple boiled dish (sukhoe), or as prepared here with crisp vegetables and a tangy dressing for a truly special treat. Enjoy your delicious meal!
