Kongnamul muchim
Seasoned soybean sprouts
콩나물무침 · Crunchy soybean sprouts seasoned with garlic, sesame oil and spring onion
Kongnamul muchim (콩나물무침) is one of the simplest and most common banchan, the small side dishes served with every Korean meal across the country. Soybean sprouts are steamed in a little salted water until tender but still crunchy, then tossed with garlic, sesame oil and spring onion. The nutty, clean flavour goes with almost anything. For a spicy version, add a teaspoon of chilli flakes when you season it. Chef's tip: decide at the start whether the lid is on or off, and don't change your mind while they cook. Lifting it halfway is what gives sprouts a raw, beany smell.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz soybean sproutsrinsed, any loose husks removed
- 1 cup water
- ¾ tsp salt
- 1 clove garlicgrated
- 1 spring onionfinely sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes) (optional)for a spicy version
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Put 10 ½ oz soybean sprouts in a pan with 1 cup water and a third of the ¼ tsp salt. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil over a high heat, then cook for 6 minutes. Don't lift the lid while they cook, or they will taste raw and beany.
8 minStep 2: Drain, spread the sprouts out on a plate and leave to cool for a few minutes so they stay crunchy.
Step 3: Toss with the rest of the ½ tsp salt, 1 clove garlic, 1 spring onion, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean chilli flakes), if using, mixing gently with your fingers. Serve at room temperature or cold. It keeps for 2 days in the fridge.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kongnamul muchim take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- 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 gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
- What can I use instead of spring onion?
- Chives, or a little finely sliced onion.
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