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Sukju namul
Seasoned bean sprouts
Sukju namul (숙주나물): blanched mung bean sprouts with sesame oil
Sukju namul is the most delicate of Korea's sprout dishes, set out on every ancestral-rite table at Chuseok and on everyday trays in Seoul homes because it takes five minutes and costs very little. Mung bean sprouts are blanched for barely a minute, then dressed with salt, a little garlic and sesame oil, so they stay juicy and crunchy with a clean, nutty taste. It belongs in bibimbap too. The common mistake is overcooking: mung bean sprouts go limp and stringy within seconds of being done, so pull them while they still squeak. Chef's tip: plunge them straight into iced water after blanching and squeeze gently; they keep their snap for a whole day.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 14 oz mung bean sproutsrinsed, any loose husks removed
- ¾ tsp saltplus a pinch for the water
- 1 garlicsmall clove, grated
- 1 spring onionfinely chopped
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bring a large pot of water to the boil with a pinch of ⅛ tsp salt and set a bowl of iced water beside it.
5 minStep 2: Drop in 14 oz mung bean sprouts and blanch over a high heat for 60–90 seconds, until they are just translucent but still crisp when you bite one.
2 minStep 3: Drain, plunge into the iced water for 1 minute, then drain again and squeeze out the water gently with your hands.
1 minStep 4: Toss with the rest of ⅝ tsp salt, 1 garlic, 1 spring onion, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds. Taste for salt and serve cold.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 50 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sukju namul take?
- About 10 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 5 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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