Crispy Bean Sprout Salad (Sukju Namul Muchim)
Fresh and Crunchy Bean Sprout Salad
Enjoy the naturally crisp texture of fresh bean sprouts in this quick and easy salad, bursting with a refreshing sweet, sour, and spicy flavor. It’s a perfect accompaniment to grilled pork belly, and remarkably, it aids in detoxifying heavy metals from your body, just as effectively as pork itself.
Ingredients- 200g fresh bean sprouts
- 2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide (or corn syrup/honey)
- 1 tsp salt
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp ginger wine (or mirin/rice wine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Feeling concerned about your health due to the fine dust and pollution, especially from abroad? Let me introduce a fantastic remedy: this crispy bean sprout salad! Bean sprouts are excellent companions for detoxifying heavy metals brought by yellow dust, offering benefits comparable to pork. Imagine enjoying this vibrant salad alongside grilled pork belly – it’s a match made in heaven! Let’s get started on this delicious and healthy dish.
Step 2
First, thoroughly wash the fresh bean sprouts under running water. It’s crucial to drain them completely after washing. Place the washed sprouts in a colander and let them drip dry. You can gently pat them with a kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture. This step ensures your salad won’t be watery and the flavors will be more concentrated.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the seasoning ingredients. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of red pepper flakes (gochugaru), 1 tablespoon of oligosaccharide (or a similar sweetener like corn syrup or honey), 1 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of toasted sesame seeds, 3 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of ginger wine (or mirin/rice wine).
Step 4
Finely mince the 3 cloves of garlic. You can use a mortar and pestle for a more traditional texture, or simply use a knife. Freshly minced garlic will impart a wonderfully pungent aroma and flavor to the salad.
Step 5
In a large bowl, combine the drained bean sprouts with the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, oligosaccharide, salt, vinegar, ginger wine, and sesame seeds. Gently toss everything together with your hands until the bean sprouts are evenly coated with the seasoning. Be careful not to overmix or mash the sprouts; a gentle hand ensures they remain delightfully crisp.
Step 6
And just like that, in a flash, your incredibly simple yet delicious bean sprout salad is ready! This dish is a fantastic side for any meal, especially perfect when paired with rich, savory dishes like grilled meats.
Step 7
Experience the satisfying crunch with every bite, coupled with a flavor profile that’s refreshingly sweet, sour, and spicy – a taste sensation you might not have encountered before! The more you chew, the more the savory notes emerge, making it wonderfully addictive.
Step 8
The health benefits of bean sprouts extend further! They are rich in Vitamin B6, which helps block pollutants and prevent infections. They are also known to improve eyesight. For those of us spending long hours in front of screens, bean sprouts are a vital ingredient. I know I need to eat more of them myself, especially as I find myself spending more time online and my vision feels a bit strained!
Step 9
Bean sprouts also contain compounds that help calm the mind, making them a beneficial food for those experiencing mental stress. In our busy modern lives, finding ways to de-stress is key to a joyful life. While we all have our methods, incorporating delicious and healthy foods like this bean sprout salad is one of the easiest and most enjoyable approaches. You might already know that bean sprouts grow from mung beans, but did you know their nutritional profile changes dramatically? When mung beans sprout, Vitamin A increases 20-fold, Vitamin B by 30-fold, and Vitamin C by an astonishing 40-fold! Mung beans are already known for their beneficial saponins, but sprouting them unlocks even greater nutritional value. Enjoy the incredible health-boosting power of these little sprouts!
