Refreshing Glass Noodle Salad with Tangy Dressing
How to Make Glass Noodle Cold Salad / Cold Salad Dressing Recipe [Refreshing Dish]
Lately, perhaps due to the weather, I’ve been craving something refreshingly tangy, sweet, and spicy rather than other side dishes. So, I decided to make a cold salad using glass noodles instead of jellyfish, along with my favorite vegetables. It’s low in calories, making it great for dieting too! You can also check out the video tutorial at https://youtu.be/q6KAEmiOVYU.
Main Ingredients- 200g glass noodles (konjac noodles)
- 100g imitation crab sticks (kani kama)
- 1.5 bell peppers (using various colors is recommended)
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
- 1/4 apple (for smaller apples)
Tangy & Spicy Cold Salad Dressing- 2 Tbsp mustard paste (Korean mustard preferred)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp apple juice (or grated apple)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp mustard paste (Korean mustard preferred)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp apple juice (or grated apple)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 2 Tbsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
For a visually appealing cold salad, it’s best to use bell peppers of various colors like red, orange, and yellow. However, even using just one color of bell pepper will result in a delicious salad.
Step 2
First, briefly blanch the glass noodles in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes. Immediately rinse them under cold water to maintain their firm, chewy texture. Drain them thoroughly in a colander. Then, cut the noodles into bite-sized pieces (about 5-7 cm) with scissors. This prevents them from clumping together.
Step 3
Wash the cucumber well and trim off the ends. You can either peel it using a vegetable peeler (turning it as you peel) or cut out the seedy core and then julienne it. Sprinkle a pinch of salt (about 1/2 teaspoon) over the julienned cucumber and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This will draw out excess moisture, making the cucumber extra crisp.
Step 4
Peel the onion and rinse it under running water. Then, thinly julienne the onion. Soaking the julienned onion in cold water for about 10 minutes will remove its sharp, pungent flavor, making it much milder and sweeter.
Step 5
Wash the bell peppers, remove the stems and seeds, and then julienne them thinly, aiming for an attractive presentation. Using a mix of colorful bell peppers will make your cold salad look even more appetizing.
Step 6
Shred the imitation crab sticks by hand. Shredding them lengthwise will give a better texture. Avoid shredding them too finely; medium shreds are ideal for this salad.
Step 7
Wash the apple thoroughly, remove the core, and grate it with the skin on using a grater. Use about half of a small apple or a quarter of a large apple. We will only use the juice from the grated apple for the dressing.
Step 8
In a large bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: mustard paste, vinegar, apple juice (or grated apple), soy sauce, minced garlic, sugar, plum extract, salt, and sesame seeds. Whisk or stir well until everything is thoroughly combined to create a delicious, tangy, sweet, and spicy cold salad dressing. The kick from the mustard combined with the sweetness of the fruit creates a wonderful flavor profile.
Step 9
Squeeze out the excess water from the salted cucumber with your hands. Drain the julienned onion from the cold water. Prepare all the vegetables this way and keep them chilled in the refrigerator. Just before serving, arrange the prepared glass noodles, imitation crab sticks, and bell peppers attractively on a plate. Drizzle generously with the prepared cold salad dressing for a refreshingly delicious meal.
Step 10
Glass noodles are quite stable and don’t become mushy even if prepared in advance. You can prepare them along with the other ingredients and toss them with the dressing right before serving for a quick and easy meal. This ensures you enjoy the fresh taste as if it were just tossed.
