Crispy Golden Ratio Radish Salad (Mu Saeng Chae)
Incredibly Delicious Radish Salad, Better Than Your Favorite Restaurant’s!
Here’s a quick and easy recipe for making restaurant-quality radish salad at home. Its crisp texture and perfectly balanced sweet, sour, and spicy flavors make it an irresistible side dish. Once you try it, you’ll never forget the taste!
Main Ingredients- 500g Korean radish (approx. 1/3 of a medium radish)
- 1 stalk of green part of leek
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
Golden Ratio Seasoning- 3 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp xylitol (sugar substitute)
- 1/2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 tsp ginger juice
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., ‘3 crabs’ brand or similar)
Brining Solution- 3 cups (750ml) water
- 3 Tbsp salt
- 3 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp xylitol (sugar substitute)
- 1/2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 tsp ginger juice
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (e.g., ‘3 crabs’ brand or similar)
Brining Solution- 3 cups (750ml) water
- 3 Tbsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 500g of fresh Korean radish. Using a thick julienne peeler or a knife, cut the radish into thick strips. In a bowl, dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt in 3 cups (approximately 750ml) of water to make a brine. Add the julienned radish to the brine and let it sit for about 10 minutes to soften. Salting the radish this way ensures even seasoning and helps maintain a crisp texture, making it even better.
Step 2
While the radish is brining, let’s make the delicious seasoning! In a separate bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of xylitol (for sweetness, as a sugar substitute), 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar for a touch of tang, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger juice for a subtle kick, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic for aroma, and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce for savory depth. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
Step 3
Now it’s time to drain the brined radish. Gently squeeze out the excess water. Be careful not to wring it out too forcefully, as this can make the radish mushy and lose its crispness. Squeeze lightly with your hands to remove most of the water, leaving a little moisture behind, which will help create a moist and flavorful salad. No need to call for help with this step; a gentle squeeze is perfect!
Step 4
Add the prepared golden ratio seasoning to the drained radish strips. Gently toss and mix with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed. For hygiene and ease, wearing disposable gloves is recommended for this step.
Step 5
Finally, add the thinly sliced green parts of 1 leek stalk for a fresh aroma. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for nuttiness, and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil. Toss gently once more to combine everything. Your delicious radish salad is now complete!
Step 6
Voila! This quickly made radish salad boasts a flavor that rivals, and even surpasses, that of restaurant-style versions. It’s so well-balanced that it won’t become watery even if stored and eaten the next day. Enjoy this truly ‘amazing’ dish!
