Crisp Bamboo Shoot and Whelk Salad (Juksun Golbaengi Muchim)
Seasonal Bamboo Shoot Salad with Whelks: A Detailed Guide to Preparing, Boiling, and Serving
Introducing a refreshing and tangy bamboo shoot and whelk salad, combining the chewy texture of whelks with the crispness of bamboo shoots. Perfect as a palate-awakening dish when you lack appetite, this recipe uses fresh, seasonal bamboo shoots for a healthy meal. We’ll guide you through the detailed steps of preparing and boiling bamboo shoots, along with a delicious seasoning recipe.
Main Ingredients- Prepared bamboo shoots 90g
- Canned whelks 1 can (approx. 150g)
- Cheongyang chili pepper 1
For Boiling Bamboo Shoots- Rice flour 2 Tbsp
- Salt 1 Tbsp
- Rice flour 2 Tbsp
- Salt 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare fresh bamboo shoots. If you’ve purchased bamboo shoots with the husk on, remove the outer layers and use only the tender inner part. Bamboo shoots can sometimes have fine hairs, so wearing gloves while trimming is advisable if you’re concerned about allergies.
Step 2
Cut the bamboo shoots lengthwise into 2-4 long strips. We’ll primarily use the tender core, which is less fibrous.
Step 3
The inner part of the cut bamboo shoot looks particularly tender. We will be using this part for the dish.
Step 4
Using a potato peeler, meticulously scrape off any bumpy textures or fine hairs on the surface of the bamboo shoots for a clean finish. This ensures a smooth texture when eating.
Step 5
Cut off the tough, fibrous part near the root of the bamboo shoot and use only the tender upper portion. If the shoots are long, cut them in half to make them easier to handle during preparation.
Step 6
Bamboo shoots can involve discarding a significant amount of outer husk and trimmings. Finely chop the discarded husks and dispose of them in your food waste bin. If you find the preparation process cumbersome, we recommend purchasing pre-peeled and trimmed bamboo shoots for greater convenience.
Step 7
Now, it’s time to boil the bamboo shoots. In a pot, add enough water to fully submerge the bamboo shoots. Stir in 2 tablespoons of rice flour and 1 tablespoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat for about 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 30-40 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent boiling over. Rice flour helps to remove the astringent taste and oxalic acid from the bamboo shoots. (Tip: If you have rice water, you can use that instead. If not, rice flour works well.)
Step 8
The boiled bamboo shoots are ready when a chopstick can be easily inserted without resistance. It’s crucial to soak the boiled bamboo shoots in cold water to remove any remaining bitterness. We soaked ours overnight, from evening until the next morning, for about 8-9 hours, to ensure the astringency is completely gone for a more pleasant taste.
Step 9
Drain the bamboo shoots from the cold water and thinly slice them lengthwise into bite-sized pieces. Maintaining their crispness is key.
Step 10
Drain the liquid from the canned whelks and slice them thinly, similar to how you would slice fish for sashimi, aiming for a similar thickness to the bamboo shoots. This adds a satisfying chewiness.
Step 11
Remove the stem from the Cheongyang chili pepper, cut it in half, remove the seeds, and finely chop it. This ingredient will add a pleasant spiciness.
Step 12
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing. In a bowl, combine 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of plum extract, 1.5 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, and 1 tablespoon of gochujang. Mix well. You can also add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds if you like.
Step 13
Add the sliced bamboo shoots, chopped whelks, and finely chopped Cheongyang chili pepper to the prepared dressing. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the dressing evenly coats all ingredients. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as it might diminish the bamboo shoots’ crispiness.
Step 14
Your refreshing bamboo shoot and whelk salad is ready! The delightful combination of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors will surely stimulate your appetite.
