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Doraji muchim
Bellflower root salad
Doraji muchim (도라지무침): bellflower root in sweet-spicy dressing
Doraji muchim comes from Korea's mountain provinces, where bellflower root has been dug for centuries and sung about in the Gyeonggi folk song 'Doraji taryeong'. Today it is a festive banchan for Seollal and a spring side dish across the country: shredded roots, rubbed with salt to tame their bitterness, are dressed with gochujang, vinegar and sugar until crunchy, sweet, sour and gently hot. The common mistake is skipping the salt scrub, which leaves the roots harsh and bitter enough to put people off. Chef's tip: after scrubbing and rinsing, taste a strand; if it still bites, soak it in cold water for another 15 minutes.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 7 oz fresh shredded bellflower root (doraji)or 40 g dried, soaked overnight
- 1 tbsp coarse salt
For the dressing
- 1 tbsp gochujang
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 garlicclove, grated
- 1 spring onionchopped
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Tear any thick strands of 7 oz fresh shredded bellflower root (doraji) into thin strips about 5 mm wide.
Step 2: Rub the strips firmly with 1 tbsp coarse salt for 2–3 minutes, scrunching them as if washing cloth, until they soften and release a cloudy liquid.
3 minStep 3: Rinse in several changes of cold water, then soak for 10 minutes. Taste a strand: it should be pleasantly bitter, not harsh. Squeeze dry.
10 minStep 4: Mix 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes), 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar and 1 garlic into a smooth red paste.
Step 5: Add the root and 1 spring onion and massage the dressing in with your hands until every strand is coated.
Step 6: Finish with 1 tsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Serve straight away, or chill for up to 2 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 80 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 15 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does doraji muchim take?
- About 25 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- What can I use instead of rice vinegar?
- Cider vinegar with a pinch of sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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