Crispy Bean Sprout and Crab Stick Cold Salad: A Flavorful Appetizer
Sweet, Sour, and Crispy Bean Sprout & Crab Stick Salad for a Lively Appetite!
Boost your appetite with this refreshing and tangy cold salad made with crisp bean sprouts. It’s a delightful dish that’s both simple to prepare and wonderfully flavorful.
Main Ingredients- Blanched bean sprouts, 2 handfuls
- Crab sticks, 3 pieces
- Chives or green onions, a small amount (about 20-30g)
Sweet & Sour Dressing- Vinegar, 3 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Sugar, 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (like Mirin), 1 Tbsp
- Corn syrup (or oligodang), 1 Tbsp
- Vinegar, 3 Tbsp
- Soy sauce, 2 Tbsp
- Sugar, 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (like Mirin), 1 Tbsp
- Corn syrup (or oligodang), 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the bean sprouts. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the bean sprouts for just 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, as they will lose their crispness. Immediately rinse the blanched bean sprouts under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down. Drain them thoroughly in a colander; excess water can dilute the flavor.
Step 2
Prepare the crab sticks for easy eating. You can shred them with your hands or cut them into bite-sized pieces with a knife. Shredding them often gives a more pleasant texture.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the star of this cold salad – the dressing! In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp vinegar, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and 1 Tbsp corn syrup. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Using regular soy sauce (jin ganjang) is recommended over dark soy sauce (guk ganjang) to maintain a lighter color.
Step 4
In a large bowl, place the prepared blanched bean sprouts and the shredded crab sticks. If you’re using chives or green onions, wash them, cut them into 3-4 cm lengths, and add them to the bowl as well. Green onions add a wonderful aromatic touch.
Step 5
Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss or mix everything with a spatula to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed. Avoid vigorous mixing to keep the bean sprouts nice and crunchy.
Step 6
Finally, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds to enhance the flavor and aroma. A touch of sesame oil adds a nutty fragrance, and sesame seeds provide a delightful textural contrast and nutty taste. Enjoy your delicious salad! ^^
