Crispy Summer Radish Salad (Musaengchae)
Refreshing and Sweet-Sour Summer Radish Salad
This is a recipe for a delightful radish salad made with summer radishes. I’ve added my own special secret to enhance its flavor! Enjoy the crisp texture and vibrant taste.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 medium Korean radish
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp ginger syrup or grated ginger
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce (anchovy or sand lance)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 Tbsp ginger syrup or grated ginger
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, thoroughly wash the radish, peel it, and then slice it into thin, uniform julienne strips. Cutting the radish evenly ensures the seasoning is distributed well and improves the texture.
Step 2
Summer radishes have a high water content and can have a strong ‘green’ or pungent flavor. To manage this, a light salting and sweetening step is recommended. Place the julienned radish in a bowl, add 1 Tbsp salt and 1 Tbsp sugar, and gently mix. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Adding sugar at this stage helps to neutralize the radish’s natural spiciness and adds a pleasant sweetness, making it much more palatable. This is one of the secrets to enjoying summer radishes!
Step 3
While the radish is salting, prepare the seasoning mix. In a small bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients except the vinegar: salt, sugar, fish sauce, minced garlic, ginger syrup, gochugaru, and sesame seeds. Mix them well. Pre-mixing the seasoning helps the flavors meld together and speeds up the cooking process.
Step 4
I intended to salt the radish for only 5 minutes, but got a bit distracted and it ended up sitting for about 10 minutes. As you can see, it released quite a bit of water! Rinse the salted radish quickly under cold running water to remove excess salt. Then, drain it thoroughly in a colander. Ensuring the radish is well-drained is crucial to prevent the salad from becoming watery and to maintain its crispness.
Step 5
Add the well-drained radish juliennes to the prepared seasoning mix. Gently toss and massage the radish with your hands, ensuring each strand is coated with the seasoning. Be careful not to knead too vigorously, as this can break down the radish and make it mushy.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of vinegar and toss everything together one last time. This step adds a refreshing tang and brightens the overall flavor profile. Your delicious, tangy, and sweet radish salad is ready! You can enjoy it immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for a while for an even cooler and more refreshing taste.
