Crisp and Delicious Seasoned Bean Sprouts (Kongnamul Muchim)
A Recipe for Nutritious and Crunchy Bean Sprouts Side Dish
Here’s a recipe for a side dish that’s both crunchy and packed with nutrition: seasoned bean sprouts! Making this simple side dish is great as a regular banchan, and it’s also perfect for mixing into rice for a quick and tasty meal.
Ingredients- 300g fresh bean sprouts
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 30ml water (approx. 2 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thoroughly wash the bean sprouts under cold running water. It’s best to soak them in cold water for about 30 minutes beforehand to remove any potential bitterness and ensure they are fresh.
Step 2
When rinsing them, gently agitate them with your hands. Try not to break off the heads or tails. After washing, drain them very well in a colander. Excess water can dilute the seasoning and make the dish less flavorful.
Step 3
Place the drained bean sprouts into a pot. Add 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Coating the sprouts with sesame oil before cooking helps infuse them with a wonderful aroma and flavor.
Step 4
With the lid off, cook the bean sprouts over medium-low heat. Stir gently to ensure the sesame oil coats the sprouts evenly. Continue to sauté until the bean sprouts start to turn slightly translucent.
Step 5
Once the bean sprouts are sautéed, gently gather them in the center of the pot to form a small mound. Pour the 30ml of water into the center. Adding a little water helps to steam the bean sprouts, keeping them crisp.
Step 6
Cover the pot and cook over medium-low heat for exactly 1 minute. Immediately after 1 minute, remove the lid. This prevents the bean sprouts from overcooking from residual heat. For maximum crispness, you can quickly rinse the cooked sprouts under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 7
Once cooled, transfer the bean sprouts to a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 1 teaspoon of salt. Gently mix and toss the ingredients together with your hands, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed. Be careful not to mash the bean sprouts.
Step 8
Finally, add another 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and toss gently once more. Your delicious seasoned bean sprouts are ready! (You can omit or adjust the amount of the final sesame oil drizzle according to your preference.)
