Two-Flavor Korean Zucchini Salad (Aehobak Muchim): Soft and Chewy Delight!
Easy Korean Zucchini Side Dish: Two Flavors for Great Texture
Enjoy a tender yet satisfyingly chewy zucchini side dish. This recipe offers two distinct flavor profiles using simple ingredients, making it a perfect addition to your meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 medium zucchini
- 1/2 green onion, thinly sliced
Seasoning Ingredients (for 2 Flavors)- Pinch of salt (for salting zucchini)
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil (for stir-frying)
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (for soy sauce flavor)
- 1/2 Tbsp salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot) (for salted shrimp flavor)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (divided)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (divided)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract) (divided)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Pinch of salt (for salting zucchini)
- 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil (for stir-frying)
- 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce (for soy sauce flavor)
- 1/2 Tbsp salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot) (for salted shrimp flavor)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (divided)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) (divided)
- 1 Tbsp maesilcheong (plum extract) (divided)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the zucchini thoroughly and pat it dry. Slice it into about 0.5cm thick half-moons or your preferred shape. Thinly slice the green onion and set aside.
Step 2
Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of salt over the sliced zucchini and toss gently to coat. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. This process draws out excess moisture, resulting in a chewier texture.
Step 3
Drain the water that has accumulated from the salted zucchini. Place the zucchini in a pan over medium heat and stir-fry until most of the moisture has evaporated. Be careful not to burn it by using high heat.
Step 4
Push the cooked zucchini to one side of the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil to the empty side. Pan-fry the zucchini until golden brown, almost like you’re pan-frying pancakes.
Step 5
Flip the zucchini and cook until both sides are nicely browned and slightly crisp. Remove the well-cooked pieces to a separate plate to cool. This allows for different textures in the final dish.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the two flavor profiles. For the ‘Soy Sauce Flavor,’ combine 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1/2 Tbsp maesilcheong, and half of the sliced green onion in a bowl. Mix well.
Step 7
Add half of the pan-fried zucchini to the ‘Soy Sauce Flavor’ bowl. Gently toss to coat the zucchini without breaking it. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Step 8
Place the remaining pan-fried zucchini in a separate bowl. For the ‘Salted Shrimp Flavor,’ add 1/2 Tbsp salted fermented shrimp (saeujeot), 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru, 1/2 Tbsp maesilcheong, and the rest of the sliced green onion. Gently mix. The savory depth of the salted shrimp will beautifully complement the zucchini. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for garnish. Enjoy your delicious homemade zucchini side dish!
