Spicy, Sweet, and Refreshing Stir-Fried Whelk (Golbaengi Muchim)
The Secret to a Zesty and Clean Taste: An Easy Yet Special Whelk Salad Recipe
Making whelk salad might seem simple, but it’s easy to ruin the visual appeal and texture if not done correctly, making it less straightforward than it appears. Every household has its own sauce recipe, but I have a special secret to achieve a clean, non-gloopy taste. Wouldn’t you like to try it sometime? ^^
🌟 Secret Sauce for a Clean Taste 🌟
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 3 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 Tbsp Honey
- 3 Tbsp Jocheong (Korean rice syrup)
- 3 Tbsp Vinegar
- 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice (from 1 large lemon)
- 1 Tbsp Ginger Juice
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 2 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
🥗 Fresh Vegetables and Plump Whelks 🥗
- 1 can (400g) Canned Whelks
- 1 bunch Lettuce
- 1 medium Onion (approx. 150g)
- 1 Korean Waxy Cucumber (or 2/3 English cucumber, approx. 280g)
- 1 handful Cabbage (approx. 140g)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (approx. 140g)
- 1 Green Chili Pepper (optional, for extra spice)
- 1 can (400g) Canned Whelks
- 1 bunch Lettuce
- 1 medium Onion (approx. 150g)
- 1 Korean Waxy Cucumber (or 2/3 English cucumber, approx. 280g)
- 1 handful Cabbage (approx. 140g)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (approx. 140g)
- 1 Green Chili Pepper (optional, for extra spice)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
✨ Crafting the Golden Sauce: First, combine all the sauce ingredients – gochugaru, gochujang, honey, jocheong, vinegar, lemon juice, ginger juice, and salt – in a bowl and mix well. My secret here is not adding minced garlic or sesame oil! This method eliminates the whelks’ inherent gaminess and heavy taste, resulting in a clean, refreshing flavor. Generous amounts of ginger and lemon juice not only neutralize any fishy smell from the whelks but also enhance their zesty aroma, stimulating your appetite. Letting the sauce rest for a while allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 2
🥬 Preparing Crisp Greens (Lettuce): Thoroughly wash the fresh lettuce leaves under running water. Gently pat them dry and then tear or chop them into large, bite-sized pieces. The lettuce is primarily for plating, as it can release a lot of water and become wilted when mixed directly with the sauce. We’ll focus on mixing the firmer vegetables.
Step 3
🧅 Preparing Crisp Greens (Onion): Peel the onion and slice it into medium-sized, chunky pieces. Slicing them somewhat large, similar to the onion served with Jjajangmyeon, adds a pleasant texture. Soak the sliced onions in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow their pungent sharpness. This step retains their crispness while reducing the harsh bite. Just before mixing everything, drain them thoroughly in a colander.
Step 4
🥒 Preparing Crisp Greens (Cucumber): Wash the cucumber well. Slice it diagonally into pieces less than 0.5cm thick, and then cut each piece in half. Korean waxy cucumbers offer a fantastic crunch, but if unavailable, an English cucumber works wonderfully as a substitute.
Step 5
🥬 Preparing Crisp Greens (Cabbage): Chop the cabbage into large, rough pieces, similar in size to the cucumber slices. The cabbage’s natural sweetness and crispness will add another delightful layer to the whelk salad.
Step 6
🌶️ Preparing Crisp Greens (Red Bell Pepper): Wash the red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and cut it into wedges, much like you would peel an apple or pear. Then, slice these wedges diagonally to match the size of the cucumber pieces. This adds a vibrant color and a hint of sweetness.
Step 7
🌶️ Adding a Spicy Kick (Green Chili Pepper): If you enjoy a bit of heat, thinly slice the green chili pepper diagonally. It will elevate the overall flavor profile with a pleasant warmth.
Step 8
🐚 Preparing the Plump Whelks: Drain the canned whelks, rinsing them briefly under running water. Cut the whelks into bite-sized pieces depending on their size – larger ones into 4 pieces, medium ones into 3, and smaller ones into 2. We cut them generously so you can easily find and enjoy each piece, reminiscent of the ‘tiny whelks’ hunt at old-school snack bars! Haha.
Step 9
🏁 All Ingredients Ready! Now, all your ingredients are prepared. You have a colorful array of fresh vegetables and plump whelks, ready to be transformed.
Step 10
🍽️ Plating the Base: Arrange the prepared lettuce leaves attractively on a serving plate. This provides a fresh foundation and helps keep the mixed ingredients neatly in place.
Step 11
🥣 Ready to Mix: Place all the prepared vegetables and whelks (except the lettuce) into a mixing bowl.
Step 12
👐 Gently Toss and Combine: Pour the prepared spicy-sweet sauce over the ingredients in the bowl. Wearing disposable gloves, gently toss everything together. Be careful not to mash the vegetables; the key is to coat everything evenly with the sauce. If it seems too much, you can add a little at a time and adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 13
✨ Finishing Touches: Arrange the well-mixed whelk and vegetable salad beautifully on top of the lettuce bed on the plate. Sprinkle generously with the toasted sesame seeds for the final flourish. Behold! Your visually appealing and incredibly delicious spicy, sweet, and refreshing whelk salad is complete. It’s best enjoyed immediately!
