Tender & Chewy Octopus Salad with Savory Sesame Oil Dressing
Easy Octopus Dish: The Perfect Harmony of Boiled Octopus, Sesame Oil, and Garlic
This dish brings back fond childhood memories of my grandmother preparing a special octopus treat after the Lunar New Year holidays. The dressing, a balanced blend of fresh garlic’s pungent kick and the nutty richness of sesame oil, perfectly complements the firm, chewy texture of the octopus tentacles. It’s a flavor profile often enjoyed by those in coastal regions, reminiscent of local delicacies. This recipe adds a refreshing crunch with thinly sliced cucumber, creating a delightful contrast in textures and tastes.
Ingredients- 2 Boiled Octopus Tentacles (from approx. 2kg octopus)
- 1/3 Cucumber
- 1 clove Garlic
Seasoning- 1/2 Tbsp Fine Sea Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp Fine Sea Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumber thoroughly and trim off the ends. Slice it thinly into julienne strips. You can arrange these cucumber strips decoratively on the serving plate or mix them in with the octopus when tossing.
Step 2
Clean the thick octopus tentacles. Place them in a pot with enough water to cover, along with a piece of radish (optional, to help tenderize). Boil the tentacles until tender (for an approx. 2kg octopus, boil for about 20-30 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it steep). Once cooked, immediately transfer the octopus to an ice bath to cool rapidly; this helps maintain its chewy texture. Cut the cooled tentacles into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm thick.
Step 3
Peel the garlic clove and finely mince it with a knife. Using freshly minced garlic is key to preserving its pungent aroma and fresh flavor. Mincing by hand is preferable to using a blender for better aroma retention.
Step 4
Place the cut octopus tentacles in a mixing bowl. Add the seasoning ingredients: 1/2 Tbsp fine sea salt, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds. Using fine sea salt helps the seasoning distribute evenly without clumping. Adjust the amount of salt based on the octopus’s natural saltiness and size.
Step 5
Gently toss and mix the octopus and seasonings with your hands until everything is well combined. Ensure the dressing coats each piece of octopus evenly for a harmonious flavor.
Step 6
Arrange the seasoned octopus tentacles attractively over the prepared cucumber strips on a serving dish. The finished dish is visually appealing, and the aroma of toasted sesame oil is wonderfully inviting. This dish offers a delightful alternative to the usual sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, highlighting the natural flavor of the octopus enhanced by the savory dressing. Enjoy this simple yet elegant octopus preparation.
