Refreshing Radish Salad (Musaengchae Namul)
Crisp Fall Radish Salad with Minimal Seasoning
Fall radishes are deliciously sweet and packed with nutrients! Let’s make a refreshing radish salad with just a few simple ingredients. This quick and easy side dish is perfect for any meal.
Main Ingredients- 400g radish (about half of a medium radish)
- 1/2 stalk green onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt (or to taste)
- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp fish sauce
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt (or to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the radish thoroughly. For this salad, it’s best to use the part of the radish with the green tops, as it tends to be sweeter. Trim off any dirty ends.
Step 2
Slice the prepared radish as thinly as possible. Aim for a thickness of about 2-3mm. Thin slices will absorb the seasoning well and have a pleasant texture.
Step 3
Julienne the thinly sliced radish using a knife or a mandoline slicer. Try to cut all the radish into uniform strips so they cook evenly and absorb the seasoning consistently.
Step 4
In a bowl, add the red pepper flakes to the julienned radish and gently toss to coat. This step colors the radish beautifully and allows the spicy flavor to mellow slightly. Let it sit for a moment for the color to set.
Step 5
Once the radish is evenly colored, add the sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, chopped green onion, and minced garlic. Mix everything together well. Taste the salad and add coarse sea salt if needed to adjust the seasoning. The goal is to balance the flavors, so don’t oversalt. You can serve it immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for an even more refreshing taste.
