Chewy Sea Mustard Salad (Tot Namul Muchim)
Enjoy a Healthy and Satisfying Morning with Refreshing Sea Mustard Salad!
Do you love sea mustard (tot)? I absolutely adore sea vegetables like cockle strings and sea mustard! As the cool breeze starts to blow, fresh sea mustard becomes in season and appears in the markets. Instead of using salted sea mustard, I bought two bags of fresh, plump sea mustard and seasoned it with a sweet and tangy dressing. The delightful chewy texture combined with the spicy and sour sauce makes it a perfect rice accompaniment, truly a ‘rice thief’! Since seaweed is incredibly good for our health, let’s prepare a hearty and nutritious breakfast with this sea mustard salad. You can easily whip this up with just gochujang (Korean chili paste)!
Main Ingredients- Fresh Sea Mustard (Tot) – 2 bags
- Coarse Sea Salt – 1 Tbsp
Seasoning Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) – 1.5 Tbsp
- Omija Berry Extract (or syrup) – 1.5 Tbsp
- Vinegar – 1 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – 1 Tbsp
- Cheongyang Chili Peppers – 2
- Green Onions (Scallions) – 3 stalks
- Red Chili Peppers – 2
- Minced Garlic – 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) – 1 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) – 1.5 Tbsp
- Omija Berry Extract (or syrup) – 1.5 Tbsp
- Vinegar – 1 Tbsp
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – 1 Tbsp
- Cheongyang Chili Peppers – 2
- Green Onions (Scallions) – 3 stalks
- Red Chili Peppers – 2
- Minced Garlic – 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) – 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Bring a generous amount of water to a boil in a pot, and add 1 Tbsp of coarse sea salt. Boiling the sea mustard in salted water helps to reduce its slightly bitter taste and enhances its flavor.
Step 2
Rinse the sea mustard thoroughly under cold running water multiple times. Gently rub and knead it while rinsing to effectively remove any dirt or impurities. I rinsed mine about three times.
Step 3
To eliminate any potential fishy odor from the fresh sea mustard, you can soak it briefly in water with a splash of vinegar. This is a helpful tip! Remember, sea mustard is rich in iron, which is great for preventing anemia, and its high fiber content makes it beneficial for diets and relieving constipation.
Step 4
Once the water is at a rolling boil, add the prepared sea mustard and blanch it for a very short time. Overcooking sea mustard will make it mushy and diminish its texture. Think of it as a quick scald to sanitize it.
Step 5
When blanching, remove the sea mustard as soon as it turns a vibrant green color. Overcooking can lead to a loss of crispness and an unpleasant raw taste. After blanching, rinse the sea mustard several times under cold water to cool it down. Then, drain it thoroughly in a colander to remove excess water.
Step 6
Finely mince the green onions and the red and green chili peppers after washing them. You can also use regular green onions (like leeks) if you prefer. For a spicier kick, feel free to increase the amount of Cheongyang chili peppers, or add ingredients like cucumbers or onions for extra texture and flavor.
Step 7
While you can simply mix it with store-bought gochujang sauce (gochujang-based dressing) for a quick dish, I decided to make my own special seasoning. My secret is a 1:1 ratio of gochujang to omija berry extract, a recipe passed down from my mother! Omija berry extract is naturally sweet and sour, so you might not need additional sugar, but if you prefer it tangier, add a tablespoon of vinegar. Adjust the sweetness and sourness based on the type of omija berry extract you use. Following these proportions will result in a delicious sea mustard salad.
Step 8
The special seasoning for our spicy and tangy sea mustard salad is ready! The vibrant colors are truly appetizing.
Step 9
Cut the blanched and drained sea mustard into bite-sized pieces, about three segments each. Look how wonderfully plump and fresh it looks!
Step 10
Add the sea mustard to the prepared seasoning and gently mix it with your hands until well combined. (Tip: My son helped me mix it, which made it even more fun!) I omitted sesame oil for a cleaner, more refreshing taste. However, feel free to add a drizzle of sesame oil if you like. Mix well and serve immediately.
Step 11
Your delicious and healthy sea mustard salad is complete! It will be a fantastic side dish to whet your appetite.
