Crispy and Delicious Summer Radish Salad (Mu Saengchae)
Secret to Making Delicious Summer Radish Salad (Mu Saengchae) That’s Refreshingly Crispy
Discover how to make a refreshing and crispy summer radish salad (Mu Saengchae) that will whet your appetite on hot summer days. While summer radishes may lack sweetness, this recipe involves a light pickling with sugar, salt, and vinegar to enhance their flavor. It’s a perfect side dish for meals and wonderful for mixing with rice! (Measurements are based on a standard Korean rice spoon.)
Basic Ingredients for Summer Radish Salad- 265g Korean radish
- 7g green onion
- 0.3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.3 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 0.7 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.2 Tbsp sugar (for adjustment)
- 2 pinches salt (for adjustment)
- A little toasted sesame seeds
Radish Marinating Seasoning- 0.25 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 0.25 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
After washing and peeling the radish, cut it in half, then slice it into approximately 3-4mm thick strips. Aim for a moderate thickness; if sliced too thinly, it can become mushy easily.
Step 2
Place the julienned radish into a large bowl.
Step 3
Sprinkle 0.25 Tbsp of salt evenly over the julienned radish.
Step 4
Add 1 Tbsp of sugar. This helps draw out moisture through osmosis and adds sweetness to the radish.
Step 5
Add 1 Tbsp of vinegar for a refreshing tang.
Step 6
Wearing disposable gloves, gently mix the radish with the seasonings until well combined. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to pickle.
Step 7
After 20 minutes, it’s time to squeeze out some of the water. Since crispiness is key for summer radish salad, avoid squeezing too hard, which can make the radish mushy. Gently squeeze the radish strips to remove excess moisture, leaving them slightly damp, and return them to the bowl.
Step 8
Finely chop 7g of green onion and measure out 0.3 Tbsp of minced garlic.
Step 9
Add the minced garlic and chopped green onion to the squeezed radish strips.
Step 10
Add 1.3 Tbsp of red pepper flakes to give it a appetizing red color.
Step 11
Drizzle 0.7 Tbsp of sesame oil for added aroma and flavor.
Step 12
Again, wearing disposable gloves, gently mix the radish to evenly coat it with the red pepper flakes. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break down the radish.
Step 13
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If it lacks sweetness or saltiness, add about 0.2 Tbsp of sugar and 2 pinches of salt to your preference. For a more sour taste, you can add a little extra vinegar.
Step 14
Finally, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top for a nutty aroma. Your crispy and delicious summer radish salad is ready!
Step 15
Even with summer radishes, you can enjoy a wonderfully tasty mu saengchae. Make small batches to serve as a side dish, or try mixing it with a bit of gochujang (red chili paste) as we do at home for an even more delightful experience. It’s a true rice-stealer!