Stir-fried Young Radish Kimchi (Chonggak Kimchi): A Delicious Side Dish Using Aged Kimchi
Revitalized Chonggak Kimchi Stir-fry: Kimchi is Always Kimchi, No Matter What!
Freshly made kimchi is delicious, but aged kimchi offers a unique depth of flavor that transforms beautifully when cooked. Stir-frying sour Chonggak Kimchi (young radish kimchi) is a fantastic way to bring it back to life. The unique flavors of the radish and its greens harmonize, creating a delightful stir-fried kimchi that’s even more special than one made with napa cabbage. Let’s revive your aged kimchi into a must-try side dish!
Main Ingredients
- Aged Chonggak Kimchi (young radish kimchi), 2 cups (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1/2 Onion, thinly sliced
- 1.5 Tbsp Cooking oil + Perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 tsp Oligodang (corn syrup) or sugar (optional, adjust to taste)
- A little minced green onion
- 1/2 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Chonggak Kimchi: Depending on how sour your kimchi is, you can either rinse it lightly under water to reduce the sourness, or drain off some of the excess liquid using a sieve. Cut the kimchi into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Step 2
Sauté the Onion First: Heat 1.5 tablespoons of cooking oil and perilla oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent. The onion not only helps to mellow the strong sourness of the kimchi but also increases the volume of the stir-fry, making it more substantial.
Step 3
Add and Stir-fry the Kimchi: Add the prepared Chonggak Kimchi to the pan and stir-fry it together with the onions. If you’d like a deeper red color, you can add a little gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) at this stage. (This recipe omitted it for simplicity.)
Step 4
Add Seasoning for Umami: To balance the sourness and enhance the flavor, add 1 teaspoon of oligodang (or sugar) and stir-fry everything together. You can adjust the sweetness to your preference or omit it entirely, as it will still be delicious.
Step 5
Finish the Dish: Finally, sprinkle in the minced green onion and 1/2 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Stir everything together gently one last time to combine, then turn off the heat. Your delicious Chonggak Kimchi stir-fry is ready!
