Crispy Summer Delight: Korean Melon Kkakdugi Recipe
A Unique Summer Side Dish to Tempt Your Taste Buds! Learn to Make Crispy Kkakdugi with Fresh Korean Melon.
Summer is here! While some eagerly await the season for cooling off in streams or enjoying water sports, I personally look forward to the delicious summer fruits. Although I’m not much of a fan of playing in cool streams, I do enjoy visiting friends who take me along, where I can sit on a traditional wooden platform and savor the seasonal fruits. Just like watermelons, melons are abundant in water, making them excellent for rehydration during the hot summer when we tend to sweat a lot. Today, I decided to make a side dish using melon: ‘Melon Kkakdugi’. You won’t believe how delicious kkakdugi made from melon can be! Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make. Let me show you how to make Melon Kkakdugi right away.
Ingredients
- 2 Korean melons
- 1/2 red onion
- 50g chives
- 3 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the red onion and slice it thinly into strips about 0.3cm thick. If the slices are too thick, the seasoning may not penetrate well.
Step 2
Wash the fresh chives thoroughly, drain them, and cut them into approximately 3cm lengths. Prepare them for mixing.
Step 3
Wash the Korean melons under running water until clean. Then, slice them lengthwise in half.
Step 4
Using a spoon, gently scrape out and remove the seeds from the center of the melon halves. Removing the seeds completely will prevent the melon from becoming mushy and maintain a better texture.
Step 5
Cut the seeded melon halves into bite-sized pieces, approximately 2cm thick. Cutting them too small might reduce the satisfying chewiness.
Step 6
In a large bowl, combine the prepared melon pieces, sliced red onion, and cut chives. Add the gochugaru (3 Tbsp), fish sauce (2 Tbsp), plum extract (1 Tbsp), minced garlic (1 Tbsp), sugar (1 Tbsp), and toasted sesame seeds (1 Tbsp). Gently toss everything together, being careful not to mash the melon, until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 7
Once all the ingredients are well-coated with the seasoning, transfer the Melon Kkakdugi to your desired serving dish. Sprinkle a little extra toasted sesame seeds on top for an enhanced nutty aroma and a visually appealing finish. Enjoy immediately or chill in the refrigerator for a while to allow the flavors to meld further for an even more delicious taste!
