Spicy and Tangy Whelk Salad with Noodles
♥ [Newlywed’s Table] 10-Minute Quick Whelk Salad with Noodles
Get ready for a thrilling match day, Korea! What’s the perfect companion for a cold beer? It has to be this chewy, whelk salad with noodles, bursting with a sweet and spicy flavor! We’re talking about a fantastic appetizer that comes together in just 10 minutes. Just mix and mix with your left hand, then your right! This whelk salad is truly delicious! ^0^
Main Ingredients- 1 can of whelks (canned)
- 1 serving of somen noodles (approx. 100g)
- 1 handful of assorted salad greens (lettuce, perilla leaves, etc.)
- 1/4 onion
- 1/4 cucumber
- 1/4 carrot
- A little bit of green onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your assorted salad greens. Wash and dry lettuce, perilla leaves, and any other fresh vegetables you have. Chop them into bite-sized pieces. For an even richer flavor, thinly julienne onion, cucumber, carrot, and green onion if desired.
Step 2
Boil the somen noodles in plenty of water with 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Cook for no more than 3 minutes. Somen noodles can become mushy if overcooked, so it’s best to set a timer and follow the package instructions, aiming for around 3 minutes.
Step 3
While the noodles are cooking, open the can of whelks. Drain the liquid, reserving about 1-2 tablespoons if you want to adjust the sauce consistency later. Place the whelks in a sieve to drain excess water.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients: 2 Tbsp gochujang, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, 0.5 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp vinegar, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic (if using), and 2 Tbsp sesame seeds. Mix well until smooth and no lumps remain. You can add 1-2 Tbsp of the reserved whelk liquid to the dressing to enhance the savory flavor and adjust the sauce’s thickness.
Step 5
Once the somen noodles are cooked, quickly rinse them under cold running water to remove excess starch. Drain them thoroughly. Rinsing in cold water is crucial to achieve a chewy texture.
Step 6
Add the drained somen noodles to the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss and mix until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce. Be careful not to break the noodles.
Step 7
Arrange the dressed somen noodles attractively in a serving bowl, swirling them into a neat mound. Creating a small well in the center will make it easier to place the whelks and vegetables.
Step 8
Top the noodles with the seasoned whelks and the prepared vegetables (onion, cucumber, carrot, etc.). Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have a delightful whelk and noodle appetizer ready to be enjoyed with your favorite beverage! Enjoy your delicious meal!
