Fragrant Gondre Namul Rice
How to Make Healthy and Delicious Gondre Namul Rice at Home
My husband said he wanted Gondre Namul Rice, so I decided to make it, and it’s surprisingly not difficult! It’s absolutely delicious when mixed with the seasoned chive sauce. This recipe brings together the savory aroma of gondre namul and perfectly cooked rice for a satisfying and healthy meal.
Main Ingredients
- Rice for 2 servings
- 2 handfuls of dried gondre namul (approx. 100g)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the dried gondre namul. Rinse it thoroughly to preserve its unique fragrant aroma.
Step 2
Place the rinsed gondre namul in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let it soak for at least half a day until it softens and loosens up. This makes the gondre namul tender and ready for cooking.
Step 3
Add the soaked gondre namul to boiling water and boil for about 15 to 20 minutes until it becomes tender. It’s well-cooked when the gondre namul is soft and pliable.
Step 4
Immediately drain the boiled gondre namul and rinse it under cold running water several times. This step is crucial for removing any bitterness and unpleasant taste.
Step 5
Gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the rinsed gondre namul. Removing excess water ensures the namul isn’t mushy and absorbs the seasoning well. Then, cut it into 3-4 pieces for easy eating.
Step 6
Now, let’s season the prepared gondre namul. Using a tablespoon, add 1 Tbsp of soy sauce and 1 Tbsp of perilla oil. Gently mix and massage the namul with your hands. This will enhance its savory flavor while preserving the natural taste of the gondre.
Step 7
Next, prepare to cook the rice. Wash the rice and soak it in water for about 30 minutes. This helps the rice cook up fluffy and delicious. Since gondre namul will be added, use slightly less water than you normally would for plain rice (adjust based on the type of rice and soaking time).
Step 8
Add the soaked rice to the rice cooker and evenly spread the seasoned gondre namul on top. Select the ‘standard cook’ or ‘white rice’ mode on your rice cooker and begin cooking. The aroma of the gondre namul will subtly infuse the rice grains.
Step 9
When the rice cooker signals that the cooking is complete, open the lid. You’ll see steam rising, and the gondre namul should be perfectly cooked and integrated with the rice. The grains look distinct, and the color of the gondre namul is vibrant.
Step 10
Once the rice is cooked, gently fluff it with a rice paddle. Mix the gondre namul and rice thoroughly, being careful not to mash the grains. This ensures an even distribution of flavors.
Step 11
Transfer the mixed gondre namul rice to a serving bowl, ready to be mixed with seasoning. The glistening rice with gondre namul looks very appetizing! It’s delicious as is, but even better when mixed with a flavorful sauce.
Step 12
For an incredible taste experience, mix it with the prepared seasoned chive sauce! The fresh aroma of chives and the umami of the soy sauce will elevate the savory flavor of the gondre namul rice. Of course, simply mixing it with regular soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil is also wonderfully delicious. Enjoy your delicious Gondre Namul Rice!
