Crispy and Easy Kim Soo-mi Style Radish Salad (Musaengchae)
How to Make Delicious Kim Soo-mi Radish Salad to Boost Your Appetite
Create this refreshing, crispy, and flavorful Kim Soo-mi style radish salad at home with ease. Its sweet and tangy taste is perfect with any dish. It makes an excellent ingredient for bibimbap or a main side dish!
Main Ingredients- 1/3 medium Korean radish (adjust size as needed)
- 1/2 green onion (mostly the white part)
Seasoning Ingredients- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for color and spice)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (for sweetness)
- 0.5 Tbsp plum extract or corn syrup (for a smoother sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (for umami)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic (for flavor)
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil (for aroma, or substitute with 0.5 Tbsp vinegar)
- 5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust for color and spice)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (for sweetness)
- 0.5 Tbsp plum extract or corn syrup (for a smoother sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (for umami)
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic (for flavor)
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (for nutty flavor)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil (for aroma, or substitute with 0.5 Tbsp vinegar)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
When preparing the radish, it’s best to use the greener parts, as they tend to be sweeter. The white parts are generally better for cooked dishes, so select the greener sections for your fresh salad.
Step 2
Wash the greener parts of the radish thoroughly and then julienne them into strips about 0.3 cm thick. It’s important to get the thickness right: too thin and they’ll become mushy, too thick and they won’t absorb the seasoning well.
Step 3
Place the julienned radish into a large mixing bowl.
Step 4
Sprinkle half a tablespoon of coarse salt over the radish and gently mix. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to salt. This helps to draw out excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture, and also removes any bitterness.
Step 5
Julienne the green onion into long, thin strips, similar in length to the radish. Using mostly the white part of the green onion will add a sweeter, crisper flavor.
Step 6
Once the radish has slightly softened and released some moisture, gently squeeze out the excess water. Then, add 2 Tbsp of minced garlic and 5 Tbsp of gochugaru. Mix well to coat the radish with a vibrant red color. Next, add 1 Tbsp of sugar and 2 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds and mix again lightly.
Step 7
Add the julienned green onion to the bowl and mix everything together. The onion’s aroma will blend beautifully with the radish, making it even more delicious.
Step 8
Add 1 Tbsp of fish sauce to enhance the savory depth of flavor. You can use soy sauce, but fish sauce provides a richer taste.
Step 9
Finally, drizzle in half a tablespoon of sesame oil for a fragrant finish. Chef Kim Soo-mi often preferred to use half a tablespoon of double-strength vinegar instead of sesame oil for a tangier, cleaner taste. Feel free to choose based on your preference!
Step 10
Just toss everything together until well combined, and you’ll have a delicious radish salad without any fuss!
Step 11
Your crispy and flavorful Kim Soo-mi style radish salad is ready. It looks appetizing just by looking at it!
Step 12
This radish salad is perfect as a topping for bibimbap with freshly cooked rice, or simply enjoyed as a standalone side dish. Radishes are packed with fiber and vitamins, so enjoy this healthy and tasty preparation!
