Crunchy & Refreshing Bellflower Root and Cucumber Salad (Doraji Oi Muchim)
Fresh and Healthy Side Dish: Bellflower Root and Cucumber Salad
Boost your appetite with this vibrant Doraji Oi Muchim!
Main Ingredients
- Bellflower root (doraji), 1 handful (approx. 100g), prepared
- Cucumber, 1 medium
Seasoning
- Gochujang (red chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, a little (about 1/2 tsp)
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp
- Salt, a pinch (for pickling cucumber and seasoning)
- Toasted sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp
- Gochujang (red chili paste), 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic, a little (about 1/2 tsp)
- Sesame oil, 1 Tbsp
- Salt, a pinch (for pickling cucumber and seasoning)
- Toasted sesame seeds, 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water. Peel the skin using a peeler or knife, then cut it in half lengthwise. (Peeling makes the texture softer.)
Step 2
Slice the halved cucumber lengthwise into strips about 0.5cm thick. Sprinkle a pinch of salt (about 1/2 tsp) over the sliced cucumber and let it sit for 10 minutes to pickle. This draws out moisture, enhancing its crispiness.
Step 3
Cut the prepared bellflower root into bite-sized pieces, about 5-7cm long. If they are too long, they can be difficult to eat, so cut them to a suitable size.
Step 4
To remove the slight bitterness of the bellflower root and ensure a crisp texture, add a generous amount of salt (about 1 Tbsp) to the cut pieces and rub them vigorously with your hands. Then, soak them in cold water for about 10 minutes to leach out the bitterness. Afterward, drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 5
Gently rinse the cucumber slices that have been pickling for 10 minutes under running water and squeeze out the excess moisture. Similarly, squeeze out as much water as possible from the bellflower root that was soaked to remove bitterness. Properly draining prevents the seasoning from becoming watery and ensures it adheres well to the ingredients.
Step 6
Place the drained bellflower root and cucumber together in a large bowl. Add all the prepared seasoning ingredients: 1 Tbsp gochujang, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds.
Step 7
After adding all the seasonings, gently mix everything together with your hands until well combined. Since the cucumber was pickled with salt, taste and add more salt if needed according to your preference. Toss the salad until the seasoning is evenly distributed among the ingredients. Your delicious Doraji Oi Muchim is ready!
Step 8
Bellflower root is known for its benefits to respiratory health, making it helpful for preventing colds, especially during seasonal changes. Enjoy this tasty Doraji Oi Muchim to take care of your family’s health and whet their appetites. Enjoy your meal!
