Steamed Fish Cake Salad (Eomuk Muchim)
Soft and Moist Steamed Fish Cake Salad
Discover a unique and delicious way to prepare Eomuk Muchim (Korean fish cake salad) by steaming the fish cakes instead of stir-frying or boiling them. Steaming makes the fish cakes incredibly moist and tender, allowing them to absorb the flavorful seasoning beautifully. This recipe results in a side dish that’s perfect with rice or as a delightful snack. Let’s make this incredibly soft and tasty steamed fish cake salad!
Main Ingredients
- 5 sheets of rectangular fish cakes (eomuk)
- 1/4 medium onion
- 1 stalk of scallion or green onion
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce (use regular soy sauce, not soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 1/3 Tbsp minced garlic (add more if you love garlic flavor)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes; adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds (slightly crushed for extra flavor)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce (use regular soy sauce, not soup soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 1/3 Tbsp minced garlic (add more if you love garlic flavor)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes; adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds (slightly crushed for extra flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by washing and preparing all the ingredients for the fish cake salad. Thinly slice the onion and finely chop the scallion. Cut the fish cakes into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
Cut the rectangular fish cakes into bite-sized pieces (e.g., cut each sheet into 3-4 smaller pieces). Thinly slice the onion into strips. Finely chop the scallions. (Tip: Cutting them to a moderate thickness will give a better texture.)
Step 3
Place the prepared fish cakes in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover with a lid and steam for about 5 minutes. Steaming removes excess oil from the fish cakes and adds moisture, making them exceptionally tender.
Step 4
While the fish cakes are steaming, if you haven’t already, chop the scallions or green onions. (Tip: Using both the white and green parts of the scallion adds color and fragrance.)
Step 5
Now, let’s make the seasoning for the fish cake salad. In a bowl, combine 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1/3 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp gochugaru, and 1/2 Tbsp sesame seeds. Mix them well to create the seasoning sauce.
Step 6
Once your delicious seasoning sauce is ready, you can prepare to mix everything together. (You can skip this step and proceed directly to the next one.)
Step 7
Carefully remove the steamed fish cakes from the steamer and let them cool slightly. (Mixing while they are too hot might cause the fish cakes to break apart.)
Step 8
Add the steamed fish cakes and the sliced onions to the bowl containing the prepared seasoning sauce.
Step 9
Gently mix the ingredients, ensuring the seasoning coats the fish cakes and onions evenly. Continue to gently toss for about 1-2 minutes until the seasoning is well absorbed. Your delicious steamed fish cake salad is now ready! You can enjoy it immediately, or chill it in the refrigerator for an even more refreshing taste.
